MISSOURI STATE PARKS
Division of Natural Resources
Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
314/751-2479
800/334-6946
TDD 800/379-2419
Internet <http://www.dnr.state.mo.us/dsp/homedsp.htp>
E-Mail < moparks@mail.dnr.state.mo.us>
SAM A. BAKER STATE PARK
RFD 1, Box 114, Patterson, MO 64956
573/856-4411
Reservations: 573/856-4223.
The park is located 4 miles N of Patterson on Highway 143 in Wayne County. Set in the scenic St. Francois Mountain terrain, the park features an expansive, unspoiled wilderness that surrounds Mudlick Mountain. Big Creek and the St. Francois River, which border the park, attract many fishermen and canoeists. The park has a nature center and programs, miles of hiking trails, a horse camp, rental cabins, rustic dining lodge, and a clear stream for summer fun. The 5,164-acre park is great for families.
The park is one of the oldest parks in the state, in one of the oldest mountain regions in North America—the St. Francois Mountains. Hike through the Mudlick Mountain Natural Area, 1,379 acres of forest bluffs, glades and rock glaciers. The Mudlick Mt. Wild Area is 4,180 acres, the largest wilderness preserve in the state. The park has a backpack camp. Hike to the fire tower.
There are 12 housekeeping cabins and 7 sleeping cabins, priced from $30-$84. There is 1 sleeping cabin priced from $24-$39. All cabins are heated and AC, with linen and utensils, and can be rented from April 15—Oct. 31. The dining lodge features country cooking.
BENNETT SPRING STATE PARK
26250 Highway 64A
Lebanon, MO 65536
417/532-4338
Reservations: 417/532-4307.
The park is 12 miles W of Lebanon on Highway 64 in Dallas and Laclede counties. This was the state’s first park. Bennett Spring has long been a favorite for trout fishermen, and a trout hatchery is within the park. More than 100 million gallons of water gush daily from Missouri’s third largest spring. The bubbling emerald-colored pool feeds a stream that runs through the 3,100-acre park. The stream is stocked daily during the March 1-Oct. 31 trout season by the Missouri Dept. of Conservation, and provides excellent fishing for rainbow trout. Canoeing is popular on the Niangua River, bordering the park.
A Fish-for-Fun program is held during the winter months; license required. The Ozark hills surrounding the park are a natural retreat from the world. Several flour and grist mills operated within the area through the years. Today, the park offers swimming, hiking, and nature studies at the interpretive center. Hike along the ridge and spot the wildflowers, beaver, turkeys, and great blue herons that live in the park, as well as bald and golden eagles. There are 58 housekeeping cabins priced from $30-$68. There are also 12 sleeping cabins priced from $30-$39. Cabins can be rented during the fishing season March 1—Oct. 31. There are also private cabins outside the park. A rustic lodge serves smorgasbords during the summer.
BIG LAKE STATE PARK
204 Lakeshore Drive
Craig MO 64111
660/442-3770
Reservations: 660/442-5432
The park is 11 miles SW of Mound City, on Highway 111 in Holt County. The Missouri River helped shape the features of this park in NW Missouri. The large lake is a resting and feeding place for migratory birds. The 407-acre park, is on the E shore of the 625-acre, natural oxbow Big Lake, and offers swimming, fishing, and dining. The modern motel overlooks the lake and offers a private reception area and comfortable overnight accommodations. There are 8 housekeeping cabins priced at $48-$54. The 2-bedroom cabins are rented for a minimum of 2 days on weekends. All have kitchens, toasters, stoves, refrigerators, showers and fireplaces. Each sleeps from 4-6 persons.
LAKE WAPPAPELLO STATE PARK
Route 2, Box 102,
Williamsville, MO 63967
573/297-3232
Reservations: 573/297-3247.
The park is 16 miles N of Poplar Bluff on US 67, and 9 miles E of Highway 172 in Wayne County.
Ideally located in the southern end of the 8,600-acre Wappapello Lake, the 1,854-acre park’s scenic Ozark terrain gives hikers and backpackers hours of enjoyment. The lake park is in SW. Missouri on the St. Francis River. Many Indian tribes have frequented the area over the centuries. The lake was created as a flood control device, and today is a well-known wildlife refuge. The area is excellent for hunting, boating, swimming and hiking. The cabins are fairly new. There are 7 housekeeping cabins priced from $30-$42, and 1 housekeeping cabin priced from $44-$60. All cabins are open year around, and are equipped with kitchen, stove, refrigerator, heat, and showers.
LAKE OF THE OZARK STATE PARK
P.O. Box 170
Kaiser, MO 65047
573/348-2694
Located off Highway 42 from U.S. 54, in Camden and Miller counties. The 17,302 acres of wooded hills and many miles of shoreline in Missouri’s largest state park provide a restful alternative to the surrounding developed tourist attractions. The park’s recreational facilities includes campsites that overlook the lake, boat rentals, swimming beaches, horseback riding and hiking trails. The park features four group camps for rental by organizations and rustic log camping cabins for individuals and families. There is also a general aviation airport at the park. The 8 cabins provide tables, chairs, fire rings and grill, and wood stove. A central shower house and restroom with central water are also available. Call the State Park headquarters to rent these cabins. They all sleep 6.
MERAMEC STATE PARK
2800 S Highway 185
Sullivan, MO 63080
573/468-6072
Reservations: 573/468-6519
This park is located 3 miles E of Sullivan on Highway 185 in Franklin, Washington and Crawford counties.
Several miles of picturesque riverbank scenery are preserved in this 6,489-acre park, that offers hiking trails, boat rentals, fishing and other activities. The Meramec River surrounds the park. Take a nature tour through Fisher Cave, and visit the Meramec Upland Forest Natural Area, the largest undisturbed Ozark chert forest in the state. There are also over 40 caves in the area. There are 18 housekeeping cabins priced from $32-$50. Cabins are open from April 1 - Nov. 1, and are situated in isolated areas. All are heated and AC, complete with linen and cooking utensils, kitchen, stove and refrigerator. The park also has a dining lodge, general store, canoe rentals, visitor center, and motel with conference center.
MONTAUCK STATE PARK
RR 5, Box 279
Salem, MO 65560
573/548-2201
Reservations: 573/548-2434.
The park is 21 miles SW of Salem on Highway 119 in Dent County. The headwaters of the renowned Current River are generated when tiny Pigeon Creek emerges with about 40 million gallons of cold spring water daily from the Montauk Springs. Montauk means "hilly" in Algonquin, and this SW Missouri Ozark park is in the highlands. Four mills once refined flour here, and a grist mill is open to the public in the summer. The 1,356-acre park offers nature trails and fishing, and features a hatchery. The Rose Holland Trout Derby is in October. The Current River and nearby Jack’s Fork River are favorites with canoeists, and are part of the National Scenic Riverways. Canoe rentals are available outside the park. East of the park is the Mark Twain National Forest.
There are 18 housekeeping cabins priced from $38-$58, and 8 sleeping cabins, priced from $31-$43. The cabins are open during fishing season March 1—Oct. 31. Housekeeping cabins include kitchenettes and bathrooms. A modern dining lodge is located on the banks of the Current River. Cabins 1-6 are located near the trout rearing pools, and cabins 9-18 are near the old mill.
ROARING RIVER STATE PARK
Route 2, Box 2530
Cassville, MO 65625
417/847-2539
Reservations: 417/847-2330.
The park is located 7 miles S of Cassville on Highway 112 in Barry County. The park features the rugged and scenic terrain of W Ozarks. More than 20 million gallons of water gush daily from Roaring River Spring to form the headwaters of Roaring River. In the spring, a waterfall pours from the mountainside into the river. The stream is stocked daily during the March 1-Oct. 31 rainbow trout season. Much of the 3,403-acre park has been preserved in its natural state, although the site has a swimming pool, hiking trails, more than 200 campsites, rental cabins, store for fishing supplies, stable for horse rental. In the fall of 1998 a new lodge was being built with dining in a beautiful setting that echoes the rustic atmosphere.
The park is located in the White River basin, offering a colorful setting on the edge of the Springfield Plateau. There are more than 600 species of plants in the area. The SW. Missouri park once was the hunting grounds of Indians. Take a tour of the trout hatcheries, hike through Ketchum Hollow, and look for the rare black bear. In winter, bald eagles nest in the area. In the summer, there are nature interpretations at the amphitheater. Several trails allow hikers a chance to get into the backwoods.
There are 27 housekeeping cabins priced from $45-$54. Each cabin is equipped with a kitchen, stove, refrigerator, and shower, and can accommodate up to 12 people. Linen is provided, but no utensils. There is also a modern motel within the park, and a restaurant at the motel offers Ozark specialties.
STOCKTON STATE PARK
Route 1, Box 1715
Dadeville, MO 63635
417/276-4259
Reservations - 417/276-5422
Marina for houseboat rentals - 417/276-5329
The park is located S of Stockton, on Highway 215 in Cedar County.
This park is along a 24,900 acre lake on the Sac River, along the Springfield plateau. The Sac River has been occupied for over 10,000 years. Early hunters and gatherers, known as Dalton Man, were the first people to inhabit the area. The park is known for its excellent fishing, boating and sailing opportunities. Pontoon boats, jet skis, ski boats and equipment can be rented at the lake. The Stockton Reservoir offers 25,000-acres of watersports fun, and a great place for sailing. The 2,176-acre park has a large full-service marina with rental boats, including houseboats, a motel, rental cabins, restaurant and campsites.
There are housekeeping cabins priced from $48-$54. Reserve early for the cabins, but there is also an 11-unit motel and a 128-seat dining hall in the park.
THOUSAND HILLS STATE PARK
Route 3
Kirksville, MO 63501
660/665-6995
Reservations - 660/665-7119
The park is 2.5 miles W of Kirksville, off Highway 6, on Highway 157, in Adair County.
The park, located above the Chariton River offers rolling, hardwood-covered hills. The forest is filled with deer, beaver and rabbits. The N Missouri park has one of the last stands of native grass prairie. Rent a pontoon boat at the lake, or hike to the nature center, a protected petroglyphs site, listed in the National Historic Places Register. The 573-acre park offers swimming, fishing, boating, water-skiing, paddleboats, canoes, beach house with showers and snack bar. There are 5 housekeeping cabins. The cabins overlook the lake shoreline in a grassy meadow, not far from a dining hall. The cabins feature full kitchens, patios with picnic tables and BBQ grills.
WASHINGTON STATE PARK
Route 2, Box 450,
Desoto, MO 63020
314/586-2995
Cabin Reservations: 314/586-0322
The park is 9 miles S of DeSoto on Highway 21 to Washington County. Nestled in the forest lands of the Eastern Ozarks, Washington State Park once was a ceremonial ground for prehistoric Indians. Today, the petroglyphs are remnants of the Indian culture. The 1,855-acre park has a modern swimming pool, and Big River, bordering the park, offers canoeing and fishing. Kitchen equipped rental cabins are the way to stay here. There are also canoe rentals and shaded campsites.