Missouri Field Trips

Pony Express National Historic Trail
Most of the original trail has been obliterated either by time or human activities. Along many segments, the trail's actual route and exact length are matters of conjecture. In the western states, the majority of the trail has been converted, over the years, to double track dirt roads. Short pristine segments, believed to be traces of the original trail, can be seen only in Utah and California. However, approximately 120 historic sites may eventually be available to the public, including 50 existing Pony Express stations or station ruins.

California National Historic Trail
The road to California carried over 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's – the greatest mass migration in American history. More than 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped west – reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Between May 1804 and September 1806, 32 men, one woman, and a baby traveled from the plains of the Midwest to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. They called themselves the Corps of Discovery. In their search for a water route to the Pacific Ocean, they opened a window onto the west for the young United States.

Oregon National Historic Trail
As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others. Today, more than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped western lands – reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers.

Arrow Rock State Historic Site - Arrow Rock
If you enjoy the easygoing serenity of a quiet village, then Arrow Rock is the place for you. Once a thriving riverport, the town is dotted with architectural treasures from the past. Limestone gutters of carefully carved blocks line the main street, marking the toil of earlier generations. Wooden sidewalks and overhead canopies still line store fronts, recalling the grace and aura of times long past. The entire town of Arrow Rock was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Activities: camping, dining, fishing, hiking, picnicking, tours

Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site - Ash Grove
Early Missourians knew Nathan Boone as a hunter, soldier, surveyor and entrepreneur. They also knew him as his father's son. Boone, youngest child of the famous Daniel Boone, carried his family's legacy deep into the Missouri Ozarks and the American West. Activities: picnicking, tours, hiking - interpretive trails

Castlewood State Park - Ballwin
A trip to Castlewood State Park gives visitors a first-hand look at the area's glorious past. At the same time, the natural beauty of the Meramec River and the surrounding open spaces offer a serene escape from urban life. Activities: fishing, picnicking, hiking - equestrian - mountain biking trails

St. Francois State Park - Bonne Terre
Just as outlaws sought refuge from the law during the Civil War, visitors today can seek refuge from everyday life in the beauty of the Pike Run Hills at St. Francois State Park. The forested ridges and hollows of these hills offer visitors a chance for unconfined solitude in a wilderness setting. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking - equestrian - backpacking trails

Table Rock State Park - Branson
Located adjacent to Table Rock Lake and near Branson, Mo., one of the hottest tourism spots in the United States, Table Rock State Park offers easy lake access and is a short drive to area attractions and entertainment. Activities: boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, marina, picnicking, swimming, hiking - bicycling trails

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site - Burfordville
If you are intrigued by the mystique and lore of simpler times, then relive the days of yesteryear by a visit to Bollinger Mill State Historic Site. The 19th-century mill and its neighboring covered bridge offer a glimpse of now-rare Americana that once might have been expected around many turns in a Missouri road. Activities: picnicking, tours

Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Camdenton
From dark caves to back-country hiking trails to castle ruins perched on a cliff, Ha Ha Tonka State Park is the ideal place for the adventurous. Ha Ha Tonka is a geological wonderland: sinkholes, caves, a huge natural bridge, soaring bluffs, and Missouri's twelfth largest spring. Activities: fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking - interpretive - backpacking trails

Wallace State Park - Cameron
The feature attraction at Wallace State Park is peace and quiet! Located amid the rolling farmland of northwest Missouri, and less than an hour from Kansas City, this 501-acre, wooded park offers recreation and relaxation. For recreation, visitors can fish or swim in the park's six-acre lake or exercise by hiking one of the park's four scenic trails. Benches along the trails allow visitors to sit and absorb the sights, sounds and slow pace of nature. Scattered picnic sites provide a peaceful place to enjoy lunch. For larger groups, an open picnic shelter that overlooks the lake and an enclosed shelter with a range, refrigerator and hot water are available for reservation.

Battle of Carthage State Historic Site - Carthage
Preceding the Battle of Bull Run by 11 days, the Battle of Carthage, fought on July 5, 1861, was one of the earliest engagements in the Civil War. Battle of Carthage State Historic Site is the location of one of the last skirmishes of the battle, and the campsite for both armies -- the Union troops the night before the battle and the Confederate troops the night following the battle. The site interprets this historic battle through an informational kiosk.

Roaring River State Park - Cassville
With its narrow valley, rugged, mountainlike terrain and deep blue spring, Roaring River State Park is breathtaking. Activities: camping, dining, lodging, picnicking, swimming, trout fishing, hiking - interpretive trails

Butterfly School - Chesterfield
From the Butterfly House at the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly School website is a wealth of information for studying about or raising butterflies. We raised butterflies one year and the children thoroughly enjoyed it. In addition to step-by-step instructions for raising butterflies, this site has enough background information for a mini unit study.

Iliniwek Village State Historic Site - Clark County
On a high sand terrace above the Des Moines River floodplain in northeast Missouri sets Iliniwek Village State Historic Site, the largest and best preserved remnant known of any Illinois Indian village. This site was occupied from ca. A.D. 1640-1683, when Europeans were just contacting Native Americans in this region. Activities: interpretive trail, picnicking

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park - Columbia
Get away from the bustle of everyday life by seeing some of Missouri’s finest karst features such as the rock bridge or by exploring the forests, streams and restored grasslands of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Activities: cave tours, fishing, picnicking, hiking - equestrian - mountain biking - interpretive trails

Katy Trail State Park - Columbia
The Katy Trail State Park is a recreation rail trail that runs 225 miles (362 km) in the right-of-way of the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. The trail often known as the Katy Trail is a Missouri state park and one of the longest Rails-to-Trails trails in the United States. Sections of the Katy are part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the American Discovery Trail. Most of the trail follows the northern bank of the Missouri River. The trail is open for use by hikers, joggers, and cyclists year-round, from sunrise to sunset. The trail is made up of "limestone pug" creating a hard flat surface.

Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site - Columbia
Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site, Columbia, contains the grave of Missouri's 22nd governor (1875-1877), Charles Hardin, along with descendents of George Jewell. The most well known member of the Jewell family buried in the cemetery, William Jewell, died while establishing a college in Liberty, Mo. that bears his name.

Finger Lakes State Park - Columbia
While enjoying a day at Finger Lakes State Park, visitors may hear more than just the sounds of nature. The steady humming and ever-changing pitch of off-road motor vehicles may linger in the background, as off-road riding is the most popular activity at the park. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, mountain biking - all-terrain vehicle trails

YouZeum - Columbia
Experience the YouZeum! Visit Mid-Missouri's only interactive science center that's all about YOU!

Big Lake State Park - Craig
Boating, fishing and abundant waterfowl have made Big Lake State Park one of northwest Missouri's most popular outdoor recreation areas. Visitors to the 407-acre park can enjoy picnic areas, a swimming pool, boat launch, fishing, bird watching, dining in the park's restaurant, and facilities for lodging and camping. The park also has a large marsh that preserves an example of an early-day Missouri landscape. With the park's location on Big Lake, and Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge nearby, the area is a major feeding and resting place for birds and migratory waterfowl.

Stockton State Park - Dadeville
Sail away on the clear waters of Stockton Lake. Fish, water ski, scuba dive, swim or just relax. Whatever your preference, Stockton State Park can satisfy your craving for water recreation. Activities: boating, camping, dining, fishing, hiking, lodging, marina, picnicking, swimming

Dillard Mill State Historic Site - Davisville
A barn-red mill nestled among green trees beside blue waters rolling over a rock dam create the colorful setting of one of Missouri's most picturesque historic sites. Dillard Mill State Historic Site interprets one of Missouri's best-preserved, water-powered gristmills. Activities: fishing, hiking, picnicking, tours

Washington State Park - De Soto
A visit to Washington State Park is sure to be a memorable experience for anyone. A favorite attraction here are the Indian rock carvings found in the park. These carvings, or petroglyphs, are believed to have been made around A.D. 1,000 and give clues to the lives of the prehistoric Indians who once inhabited this part of Missouri. Activities: camping, canoeing, fishing, lodging, picnicking, rafting, swimming, hiking - backpacking trails

George Washington Carver National Monument - Diamond
The young boy known as the “Plant Doctor,” tended his secret garden while observing the day to day operations of a successful 19th century farm. Nature and nurture ultimately influenced George on his journey to becoming a renowned scientist of agriculture. Includes the Carver Science Discovery Center, the Carver Museum, and the Carver Nature Trail

Morris State Park - Dunklin County
A very distinctive phenomenon in southeast Missouri known as Crowley's Ridge is the predominant feature of Morris State Park. The ridge, which extends well beyond the park boundaries, stands on average about 200 feet above the Mississippi River delta floodplain and consists of a strip of low hills from about one-half to five or more miles wide. Crowley's Ridge consists of unusual soil types and rare plant species. Morris State Park was donated to the state by Jim D. Morris to assist in the preservation of this unique natural and geologic feature. Activities: hiking - intepretive trail

Big Oak Tree State Park - East Prairie
Driving along the rural highways in southeast Missouri, travelers may notice an abundance of farmland. Amid this farmland though, near East Prairie, 1,029 acres of the area's original landscape has been preserved and stands out above the rest. This island of trees in a sea of agriculture is known as Big Oak Tree State Park. Activities: fishing, picnicking, hiking - interpretive trails

Current River State Park - Eminence
DNR Home PageDNR Home Page | Locator Map | Resource Center | FAQ | Events | Directory | Search Current River State Park 573-548-2201 Interpretive panel located at the entrance of Current River State Park. At a glance... North of Eminence Shannon County 573-548-2201 Contact: Montauk State Park Acreage: 780 Year Acquired: 2008 The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has acquired a new state park along the Current River and off of Hwy. 19, north of Eminence in Shannon County. Current River State Park will be developed on property known as the historic Alton Club/Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center, previously owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation. In early 2008, the Alton Club complex and surrounding acreage was transferred to the Department of Natural Resources for development as a new state park.

Route 66 State Park - Eureka
Route 66 State Park showcases the history and mystique of a highway that has been called "The Main Street of America." The historic Route 66 has come to represent American mobility, independence and spirit of adventure, and the park has captured the essence of the highway in its displays and array of recreation options. Activities: fishing, picnicking, hiking - equestrian - bicycling trails

Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site - Florida
One of America’s unique and best-loved personalities, Samuel Clemens -- later known as Mark Twain -- was born about one-fourth mile north of this historic site in a rented cabin in the small town of Florida. The cabin is now preserved inside the museum at Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site. The historic site and surrounding Mark Twain State Park stand as a tribute to the author-humorist. Activities: fishing, hiking, tours

Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park - Goggins Mountain
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park was damaged by flooding following the failure of the Taum Sauk Reservoir in December 2005. The park has closed for redevelopment but progress is being made. The department hopes to have the park open in 2009.

Elephant Rocks State Park - Graniteville
The Braille Trail is the first of its kind in Missouri's state parks. Photo courtesy of Missouri Division of Tourism. Imagine giant granite rocks standing end-to-end like a train of circus elephants. That's what you'll see at Elephant Rocks State Park. About 1.5 billion years ago, hot magma cooled forming coarsely crystalline red granite, which later weathered into huge, rounded boulders. Standing atop a granite outcrop, one of the largest elephant rocks, Dumbo, tops the scales at a whopping 680 tons! Activities: picnicking, interpretive trails

Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site - Herculaneum
Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site, Herculaneum, houses the grave of Missouri's fifth governor (1832-1836). The site interprets Dunklin's role as the Father of Public Schools, and provides a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River.

Deutschheim State Historic Site - Hermann
Deutschheim State Historic Site captures the culture and heritage of the German people who migrated to Missouri in the mid- to late-19th century. Their home interiors, tools, implements, garden plantings and architecture quickly became a reflection of Missouri's diverse culture. Activities: tours

Confederate Memorial State Historic Site - Higginsville
The Civil War may have ended in 1865, but vivid memories of the "Lost Cause" lived on for decades at the Confederate Soldiers Home of Missouri. Opened in 1891, the Confederate Home provided refuge to more than 1,600 veterans and their families for nearly 60 years. These veterans hailed from points throughout the South and served in every major battle of the Civil War. Foot soldiers, artillery and cavalrymen, marines, guerilla fighters and even spies found a place of rest here in their old age. The very last of these former rebel soldiers, John T. Graves, died at the home in 1950 at the age of 108, thus bringing an end to an amazing era in Missouri history. Today, visitors to the Confederate Memorial State Historic Site can venture to the locations of the former home buildings and stroll through the restored 106-year-old chapel and historic cemetery. Three other historic buildings can be viewed from outside. Interpretive exhibits tell the story of the state's Confederate Soldiers Home.

Boone's Lick State Historic Site - Howard County
In 1804, Lewis and Clark reported the presence of many saltwater springs in the area that now comprises Howard, Cooper and Saline counties. The largest of these salt springs was the Boone's Lick. The area around this spring was ideal for settlement and for many years "Boone's Lick Country" was a primary destination for pioneers moving west. Activities: picnicking, interpretive trail

Mastodon State Historic Site - Imperial
Mastodon State Historic Site contains an important archaeological and paleontological site - the Kimmswick Bone Bed. Bones of mastodons and other now-extinct animals were first found here in the early 1800s. The area gained fame as one of the most extensive Pleistocene ice age deposits in the country and attracted scientific interest worldwide. Activities: picnicking, hiking - interpretive trails

Harry S Truman NHS - Independence
Home to a People's President - Harry Truman’s story is one of hope & frustration, choice & chance. As President, he took the US from its traditional isolationism into the age of international involvement. Visitors experience the surroundings Harry Truman knew from his formative years as a 22-year-old youth of modest ambition through his retirement and death at age 88 as a former president of the United States.
Virtual field trip online

National Frontier Trails Museum - Independence
The National Frontier Trails Museum is a museum, interpretive center, and research library dedicated to telling the rich history of America’s principle western trails.

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park - Iron and Reynolds counties
Make the great escape to Missouri's wilderness - Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. The park provides 7,448 acres of solitude amid unspoiled land with a wilderness quality hard to find in today's world. Activities: camping, picnicking, hiking - backpacking trails

Trail of Tears State Park - Jackson
The tragic history that gives Trail of Tears State Park its name provides a sharp contrast to the peaceful, serene setting and the abundance of recreational opportunities enjoyed by visitors today. The 3,415-acre park is a memorial to the Cherokee Indians that lost their lives in a forced relocation, as well as a place for visitors to participate in a variety of outdoor adventures. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking - equestrian - backpacking trails

Missouri State Capitol Complex - Jefferson City
Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, Missouri State Museum and the Missouri State Capitol.

Jefferson Landing State Historic Site - Jefferson City
Jefferson Landing State Historic Site is significant as a rare surviving Missouri River landing. The Lohman Building, built in 1839, is a sturdy stone structure that served as a tavern and hotel, and in its heyday also housed one of the city's largest warehouse and mercantile businesses. Today, the main floor contains a visitor center with exhibits on transportation. Activities: tours

Missouri State Museum - Jefferson City
The Missouri State Museum is responsible for a large collection of artifacts that consists of approximately 93,000 artifacts and objects from all aspects of Missouri history, natural history, and resources history that have been collected since the museum's inception. One of the highlights of the collection is the collection of over 125 Missouri Civil War battle flags. Thirty-three of the flags have been conserved and eleven have been framed.

Missouri State Capitol - Jefferson City
All four floors of Missouri's Capitol are open to the public. A 30-minute guided tour is the best way to experience the historic and decorative features of the building. A walk around the Capitol grounds highlights more of Missouri's history, including Karl Bitter's bronze relief of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, which sits on the terrace overlooking the Missouri River. Whether viewing the interior or exterior, the Missouri state Capitol provides visitors a rewarding glimpse of the cultural and natural legacy of our state.

Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site - Jefferson County
Sandy Creek Covered Bridge boasts the picture-perfect appearance of an old red barn. It was one of six bridges built in 1872 to allow passage from the Jefferson County seat of Hillsboro to St. Louis. Activities: picnicking

Lake of the Ozarks State Park - Kaiser
Enjoy the solitude of an undeveloped cove, hidden along the shorelines of one of Missouri's largest lakes, Lake of the Ozarks. The 17,626-acre Lake of the Ozarks State Park offers this opportunity, along with a variety of recreational activities on the lake or on shore. Activities: boating, camping, cave tours, fishing, horseback riding, lodging, marina, picnicking, swimming, hiking - equestrian - mountain biking - backpacking - interpretive trails

Thomas Hart Benton Home and Studio State Historic Site - Kansas City
Reflections of Thomas Hart Benton's life are present in both his home and his paintings. A renowned painter, sculptor, lecturer and writer, Benton had a gift for interpreting everyday life. Virtually untouched since his death in 1975, the two-and-a-half story, late Victorian-style house that Benton called home was constructed of native, quarried limestone and contains simple furnishings in neutral tones that contrast Benton's vibrant paintings. Benton converted half of the carriage house into his art studio, which remains as he left it, with coffee cans full of paintbrushes, numerous paints and a stretched canvas waiting to be transformed into another of his masterpieces. Thomas Hart Benton died in his studio on Jan. 19, 1975, doing what he liked best - painting the American scene.

Thousand Hills State Park - Kirksville
As the population of Kirksville expanded in the 1950s, the city sought to increase its supply of fresh water. Thousand Hills State Park was created following the construction of the 573-acre Forest Lake to serve as the city's reservoir. Today, the 3,215-acre park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the best of northern Missouri.Activities: boating, camping, canoeing, dining, fishing, lodging, marina, picnicking, swimming, hiking - bicycling - mountain biking - backpacking trails

Knob Noster State Park - Knob Noster
An often overlooked gem of the Missouri state park system. Knob Noster State Park is an ideal spot for relaxing and forgetting the cares of the world - even if just for a few hours. The park is an interesting mixture of prairie, savanna and forest, with 3,934 acres lying along both sides of a meandering creek. Several small lakes in the park cater to the fisherman, and non-motorized boats may be used. Picnic sites dot the lakeshore and three open picnic shelters make an ideal place for group get-togethers in a tranquil setting.

Wakonda State Park - La Grange
Nestled in northeast Missouri, Wakonda State Park, composed of land that once was mined of gravel used to surface Missouri's secondary highways, has been transformed into a recreation area featuring six lakes, hiking and bicycling trails, and a rare sand prairie. Activities: boating, camping, canoeing, fishing, lodging, picnicking, swimming, hiking - mountain biking trails

Pershing State Park - Laclede
The outstanding features of what is now Pershing State Park attracted Gen. John J. Pershing during his boyhood years and continue to attract visitors to the park today. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking - backpacking - interpretive trails

Gen. John J. Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site - Laclede
One of America's highest ranked military officers, Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, spent most of his childhood years in the small town of Laclede. There is little in Pershing's boyhood history to suggest that one day he would become a national war hero. Activities: picnicking, tours

Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site - Lamar
Visit the birthplace home of the only Missourian ever elected President of the United States - Harry S Truman. Born May 8, 1884, in a downstairs bedroom of a small frame house in Lamar, Harry Truman was the son of John Anderson and Martha Ellen (Young) Truman. Activities: tours

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site - Lawson
It took Waltus Watkins nearly half a century to build his home estate and small community. Included in the 3,600 acres was an elegant home, three-story woolen mill, fruit-drying shed, smokehouse, brick kiln, sawmill, gristmill and acres of well tended orchards and croplands. A brick schoolhouse and church are also in the vicinity. Many of the original buildings have been restored, and livestock and plants re-introduced to create an 1870s farm. During summer months, the site's Living History Farm Program offers visitors the chance to watch an 1870s family live, work and play. Tours are given of the Watkins home and Watkins Woolen Mill. The mill is a National Historic Landmark and is the only 19th century textile mill in the county with its original machinery still intact. The visitor center offers an introduction to the Watkins family and their many business ventures.

Onondaga Cave State Park - Cave Tours - Leasburg
Trained guides lead visitors over electrically lighted paved walkways and provide information about geologic wonders such as the King's Canopy, the Twins, and other unusual speleothems. With an interesting history and a river flowing through the cave, Onondaga Cave is a spectacular registered National Natural Landmark.

Onondaga Cave State Park - Leasburg
Missouri, the Cave State, has more than 5,500 caves, and some of the state's most scenic natural wonders lie beneath the surface -- in caves. One Missouri cave stands out above the rest -- Onondaga Cave in Onondaga Cave State Park. Activities: camping, cave tours, fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming

Bennett Spring State Park - Lebanon
In the mid-19th century, settlers found Bennett Spring to be an ideal spot for grist and flour mills. Today, most people come to Bennett Spring State Park to struggle with the rainbow trout, or just to marvel at the 100,000,000 gallons of clear, cool water that gush from the spring each day. Amenities: camping, canoeing, dining, hiking, lodging, picnicking, rafting, swimming, trout fishing

Battle of Lexington State Historic Site - Lexington
It was once called "the largest and best arranged dwelling house west of St. Louis." Today Oliver Anderson's mansion is best known for the three bloody days in 1861 when it was a fiercely contested prize in a Civil War battle between the Union army and the Missouri State Guard. Today, it is restored and furnished in the mid-19th century fashion, but it still displays damage from the shot and shell that hammered it during the Battle of Lexington. The house changed hands three times, and soldiers met their death in the downstairs hallway. The battlefield is quiet now, and restored gardens and orchards dot the landscape. But the remnants of the trenches can still be seen, and the graves of unknown Union dead echo a time less peaceful. In addition to tours of the 1853 Anderson House, you may explore the 100 acres of the battlefield preserved at the historic site. A visitor center with exhibits and audio-visual programs explains the stirring events of Sept. 18-20, 1861, and why the "Battle of the Hemp Bales" lifted Southern spirits and furthur dampened Northern hopes of an easy victory in the struggle for Missouri.

Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site - Linn County
Locust Creek Covered Bridge, built in 1868, once housed the nation's first transcontinental road, Route 8. Today, it is the longest of the four remaining bridges measuring 151 feet.

Long Branch State Park - Macon
Situated on the banks of Long Branch Lake, Long Branch State Park is an ideal recreation destination for water enthusiasts as well as nature lovers. Visitors can take advantage of all the recreation options the lake has to offer, or hike through a restored prairie. Activities: boating, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming

Big Sugar Creek State Park - McDonald County
Heavily forested hillsides, clear-flowing streams and solitude are all features to be found within Big Sugar Creek State Park. Nestled deep within southwest Missouri, Big Sugar Creek State Park preserves a portion of the Elk River Section of Missouri's Ozarks. Activities: hiking

Van Meter State Park - Miami
The state of Missouri and its principal river were both named after a tribe of Native Americans, known by the French explorers as the “Oumessourit” or Missouri Indians, that once lived in the area of Van Meter State Park. Today, the park provides outdoor recreational opportunities and interprets the area landscape and the Native Americans who found it to be bountiful. Van Meter State Park features remnants of this early village site. A hand-dug earthwork, known as the Old Fort, and several burial mounds lie within park boundaries. The area’s Native American history is also interpreted inside the park’s cultural center through exhibits and a large mural depicting the life of the Missouri Indians. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking - interpretive trails

Prairie State Park - Mindenmines
Experience a walk through prairie grasses that tower above your head with a chance to view bison and elk. Tallgrass prairie once covered more than a third of Missouri’s landscape. Today less than 1 percent remains. Prairie State Park, at nearly 4,000 acres, preserves Missouri’s largest remaining tallgrass prairie. Activities: camping, picnicking, hiking - backpacking trails

Towosahgy State Historic Site - Mississippi County
At one time, between A.D. 1000 and 1400, the site was a Mississippian civil-ceremonial center and fortified village. Within this village, a full gamut of ceremonial and domestic activities took place that served the inhabitants needs from "cradle to grave. Visitors to the 64-acre tract of land can see remnants of past activities in the form of earthen mounds constructed for ceremonial, residential and religious purposes. Less obvious, but more telling, is the evidence of past occupancy that has been found through professional archaeological research in the soils of the site.

Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site - Monroe County
Union Covered Bridge, built in 1871, is the only one of the four that represents the Burr-arch truss design. It served travelers in Monroe County for 99 years and remains an important structure in the area's history.

Graham Cave State Park - Montgomery City
Nestled in the hills above the Loutre River in Montgomery County, Graham Cave State Park features an unusual sandstone cave that contained evidence that rewrote history books. Once used for shelter, Graham Cave became historically significant when archaeologists discovered how long ago human occupancy had occurred. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, hiking - interpretive trails

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge - Mound City
The 7,350-acre refuge was established in 1935 as a resting, feeding, and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Squaw Creek is best known for its large concentrations of snow geese, other waterfowl, and bald eagles. The refuge is a major stop-over for waterfowl within the Mississippi Flyway.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum - Multiple Locations
Offers museums and attractions in multiple countries focusing on odd and amazing things. Provides videos, details about exhibits, and their history.

Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site - New Madrid
In southeast Missouri's Bootheel sits a majestic mansion. This mansion, Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, illustrates the grand lifestyle once enjoyed by one of southeast Missouri's wealthy families during the late 1800s. Activities: tours

Lake of the Ozarks State Park - Cave Tours - Osage Beach
Visit Ozark Caverns in Lake of the Ozarks State Park and discover what lies beneath the surface! Caves are common geologic features in areas like the Ozarks, which is underlain by thick layers of soluble carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite. Water, seeping through subterranean cracks in these rock formations, begins to enlarge some of the fractures. As the dissolving action of the water continues, the cracks eventually become large, water-filled conduits that form parts of extensive underground drainage systems. As these water-filled systems gradually are drained by deepening surface valleys, they become the air-filled passageways we know as caves. A walk through Ozark Caverns is a journey through one of these large, drained conduits. It is a walk into an environment where geologic processes can proceed unhindered by many of the erratic, erosive forces that shape the surface landscape. In the protected cave environment, dripping and seeping water can redeposit carbonate materials in the form of soda straws, helictites, stalagmites and a host of other geologic wonders that can be seen in Ozark Caverns.

Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site - Osage City
High above the Missouri and Osage rivers, visitors to Clark's Hill/Norton State Historic Site can absorb the intriguing history of the hill, which will take them back to the epic journey of captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. On June 1-3, 1804, they camped at the base of what is now known as Clark's Hill. Activities: hiking - interpretive trail

St. Joe State Park - Park Hills
St. Joe State Park is located in the heart of the old "Lead Belt" of southeast Missouri where much of the nation's lead ore was extracted for more than a century. In 1972, the St. Joe Minerals Corp. ceased operations and subsequently donated the land to the state in 1976. Activities: camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking - equestrian - mountain biking - backpacking - bicycling - all-terrain vehicle trails

Missouri Mines State Historic Site - Park Hills
The 19,000 square-foot mine-mill powerhouse has been developed into a large museum that interprets Missouri's mining history and displays old mining machinery and an outstanding mineral collection. Related books, minerals and mineral jewelry are sold in the museum shop.

Sam A. Baker State Park - Patterson
With the ancient St. Francois Mountains, the unspoiled natural landscape and the cool waters of the St. Francois River and Big Creek, Sam A. Baker State Park has something for everyone. Whether getting away for a day of relaxation or spending considerably more time exploring the region, it's certainly worth the trip. Activities: camping, canoeing, dining, lodging, fishing, picnicking, swimming, backpacking - bicycling - equestrian - hiking trails

Fort Davidson State Historic Site - Pilot Knob
Fort Davidson State Historic Site preserves Fort Davidson and the Pilot Knob battlefield where so many Confederate and Union soldiers lost their lives. A visitor center interprets the battle and Maj. Gen. Price's raid. It features exhibits, a research library, an audiovisual presentation and a fiber optics diorama of the battle. Nearby, a playground and picnic area make Fort Davidson State Historic Site an ideal place to get away with the family. Activities: picnicking, tours

Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry - Pioneer Forest
Experience the wildness and solitude of the Missouri park system’s largest undeveloped area in the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry. Located in a remote area of the Ozarks, the backcountry is a 61,000-acre tract unit that is a portion of the Pioneer Forest, the state’s largest privately owned forest. Hikers and backpackers can experience this solitude on 27 miles of trail.

Pomme de Terre State Park - Pittsburg
Pomme de terre, French for "potato," can be translated "apple of the earth," which is a fitting interpretation when referring to Pomme de Terre State Park. Located on both the Hermitage and Pittsburg sides of Pomme de Terre Lake, the park offers a vast array of recreational opportunities. Activities: boating, camping, fishing, hiking, marina, picnicking, swimming

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield - Republic
The Second Major Battle of the Civil War - Wilson's Creek was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River, and the scene of the death of Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in combat. Although a Southern victory, the Southerners failed to capitalize on their success. With the exception of the vegetation, the field has changed little and remains in near pristine condition.

Battle of Athens State Historic Site - Revere
Battle of Athens State Historic Site interprets the northernmost Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River along with providing recreational opportunities. Activities: camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, tours

Robertsville State Park - Robertsville
Edward James Roberts once owned the land that is now Robertsville State Park. As one of the largest landowners in Franklin County at the time, the surrounding area became known as Robertsville. The Roberts family took advantage of the area's rich bottomland soils and its proximity to water to establish a very successful farm. Activities: camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking

Lewis and Clark State Park - Rushville
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, on their epic journey westward, encountered a lake, which Clark described as containing "great quantities of fish and Gees & Goslings." The lake they described that Fourth of July in 1804 is known today as Lewis and Clark Lake. Lewis and Clark State Park borders this lake and is dedicated to these early explorers who opened the door to westward expansion. Just as in Lewis and Clark's day, waterfowl still flock to this oxbow lake. Geese, great blue herons, snowy egrets and many types of ducks often make an appearance at Lewis and Clark Lake.

Montauk State Park - Salem
Offering some of the finest trout fishing in the Midwest, Montauk State Park is located at the headwaters of the famed Current River. The park's springs combine with tiny Pigeon Creek to supply 43 million gallons of water to the river each day. The cool, clear stream is an ideal home for rainbow trout, and the scenic valley is the perfect setting for camping, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. Activities: camping, dining, hiking, lodging, picnicking, trout fishing

Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site - Saline County
Sappington Cemetery State Historic Site, near Arrow Rock, houses the grave of a prominent area doctor, Dr. John Sappington, along with two Missouri governors. Gov. Meredith Miles Marmaduke became Missouri's eighth governor for nine months in 1844 after the death of Gov. Thomas Reynolds. Claiborne Fox Jackson, a strong supporter of the Confederacy, was beginning his term as Missouri's 15th governor (1861) when the Civil War began and he was driven from Jefferson City.

Santa Fe National Historic Trail - Santa Fe Trail
Take a journey between western Missouri and Santa Fe on the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. You'll find adventure and evidence of past travelers who made this remarkable trip before you!

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site - Sedalia
Sitting atop a 120-foot bluff, Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site can't be missed by travelers heading north on Highway 65 from Sedalia. This castlelike building was constructed between 1897 and 1928 for a prominent Sedalia lawyer, John Homer Bothwell. Bothwell was active in local politics, represented Pettis County for eight years in the Missouri General Assembly, and unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1904. His influence helped to make Sedalia the permanent home for the Missouri State Fair. Activities: picnicking, tours, hiking - mountain biking - interpretive trails

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail - Southeastern US
Come on a journey to remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people despite their forced removal from their homelands in the Southeastern United States in the 1840s.

First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site - St. Charles
Missouri's first legislators met in the buildings of the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site to undertake the task of reorganizing Missouri's territorial government into a progressive state system. From June 4,1821, to Oct. 1,1826, heated debates of state's rights and slavery filled the rooms of the temporary Capitol. Activities: tours

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial - St. Louis
Gateway to the West - The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site - St. Louis
A Place Called Home - Ulysses S. Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. Few people know about his rise to fame or his personal life. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven. Today, that home commemorates their lives and loving partnership against the turbulent backdrop of the nineteenth century.

Scott Joplin House State Historic Site - St. Louis
In a modest walk-up flat at 2658A Delmar Boulevard, Scott Joplin and his new bride Belle began their life in St. Louis. It was then called Morgan Street, a busy, densely populated, blue-collar district of African-Americans and German immigrants. Located nearby were the honky-tonks and dives of the notorious Chestnut Valley. This black musical genius, buoyed by his success with the Maple Leaf Rag, was making his move toward the national arena. He would soon be known as the "King of Ragtime." Activities: tours

Felix Vallé House State Historic Site - Ste. Genevieve
Settled by French-Canadian habitants in the late 1740s, the village of Ste. Genevieve has been inviting visitors to enjoy the charm of its narrow streets, shops, museums and historic homes for decades. Located amid Ste. Genevieve’s National Historic Landmark District, the Felix Vallé House State Historic Site offers visitors a rare glimpse of Missouri’s French colonial past. Activities: tours

Hawn State Park - Ste. Genevieve
Many visitors believe that Hawn State Park is the loveliest of Missouri's state parks, with forests of pine and oak, sandstone bluffs and canyons, and clear sand-bottom streams. The park's many trails, picnic areas and campground are well suited for visitors wishing to enjoy the splendor of nature; it is truly a nature lover's paradise. Activities: camping, picnicking, hiking - interpretive - backpacking trails

Mark Twain State Park - Stoutsville
Mark Twain State Park takes its name from the famous Missouri author-humorist whose real name was Samuel L. Clemens. Established in the 1920s through the efforts of the Mark Twain Memorial Park Association, it was transferred to the state in 1924 and is the third oldest state park in Missouri. Activities: camping, fishing, hiking, lodging, picnicking, swimming

Meramec State Park - Cave Tours - Sullivan
Fisher Cave is truly one of the park's most spectacular natural wonders. Naturalist-led tours, offered on a seasonal basis, provide an interesting adventure for park visitors. From the low, narrow streamside passages to the huge rooms filled with calcite deposits, Fisher Cave offers one outstanding cave scene after another. Inside these rooms and passages are well-preserved bear claw marks, cave wildlife and a vast array of calcite deposits ranging from intricate hellectites to massive columns 30 feet tall.

Meramec State Park - Sullivan
The beauty of the Meramec River and its surrounding bluffs, caves and forests have pleased visitors since the park opened in 1927. In 1933, the craftsmen of the Civilian Conservation Corps began blending a variety of visitor facilities into the park's rugged landscape. Activities: camping, canoeing, cave tours, fishing, lodging, picnicking, swimming, hiking - backpacking trails

Grand Gulf State Park - Thayer
Often referred to as Missouri's "Little Grand Canyon," Grand Gulf State Park offers visitors a chance to view a variety of natural wonders. From a canyon to a cave to a natural bridge -- this state park has plenty to see and much to do. The 322-acre park presents the most spectacular collapsed cave system in the Ozarks. Part of the cave's roof forms one of the largest natural bridges in the state, spanning 200 feet with an opening 75 feet high and 50 feet wide. Activities: picnicking, hiking - interpretive trail

Crowder State Park - Trenton
The rolling green hills and deep ravines of Crowder State Park provide 1,912 user-friendly acres where visitors can camp, picnic, hike - or just take it easy. The camping area includes modern restrooms and showers, a dumping station and a laundromat. Picnic sites are located throughout the park and swimming, boating and fishing are offered in the 18-acre Crowder Lake in the center of the park. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking - equestrian - mountain biking trails

Cuivre River State Park - Troy
Cuivre River State Park lends a wilder, Ozarkian flavor to the otherwise predominately agricultural landscape of northern Missouri. Although not far from St. Louis, the park is a nature lover’s paradise. A stroll through the park in the spring when many woodland wildflowers are in bloom or in the fall when the prairie grasses tower over your head is an outdoor delight. Activities: camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking - equestrian - backpacking trails

Ozark National Scenic Riverways - Van Buren
A River to Enjoy - Two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area to protect a wild river system. The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers wind through a landscape of rugged hills and towering bluffs. includes Alley Mill, the famous “Old Red Mill”, caves and springs, and Ranger programs.

Osage Village State Historic Site - Vernon County
The Osage Indians were first recorded in 1673 by explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette. The territory claimed by the Osage at its greatest influence was vast and consisted of what is now southern Missouri, Arkansas, eastern Kansas and Oklahoma. Between 1700 and 1775, a group of the Osage lived on a high, open hilltop near the Osage River valley that today has been preserved as Osage Village State Historic Site. Today, Osage Village State Historic Site features a walking trail and outdoor exhibits that help visitors visualize the village and the everyday bustle of this once powerful Indian tribe.

Harry S Truman State Park - Warsaw
Plan a trip to Harry S Truman State Park and fulfill your vacation expectations. This 1,440-acre park offers a wide range of activities that are sure to please. Located on a peninsula nearly surrounded by the 55,600-acre Truman Lake, the park features many opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming and water skiing. For swimmers and waders, the beautiful sand beach is conveniently located with a changehouse and modern restrooms. Anglers of all skill levels will be challenged to hook a variety of fish in the lake's cool, clear waters. Activities: boating, camping, fishing, hiking, marina, picnicking, swimming

Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park - West Alton
In 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began their journey up the Missouri River at the confluence of the two great rivers of North America, the Missouri and Mississippi. Today, visitors can watch as the Big Muddy and Mighty Mississippi merge into one at Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones - Confluence Point State Park.

Weston Bend State Park - Weston Bend
Catch a glimpse of the Missouri River and enjoy nature’s sites and sounds just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Kansas City metropolitan area at Weston Bend State Park. Located on the Missouri River, the once-thriving town of Weston can credit its early success to tobacco growing and trade. Today, tobacco production still plays a part in the area’s economy. Five tobacco barns, one of which has been converted into a reservable enclosed shelter, remain in Weston Bend State Park to interpret the important role this industry played in the area’s history.

Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park - Wildwood
A massive stone gateway greets visitors to Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, framing the broad avenue that leads up the hill to the large bronze statue of Dr. Edmund A. Babler, the park's namesake. Jacob L. Babler's love of nature and his desire to commemorate his brother, a prominent St. Louis surgeon, came together to create this unique gift to the people of Missouri. Activities: camping, picnicking, bicycling - equestrian - hiking trails

Lake Wappapello State Park - Williamsville
Nestled in the southeast region of Missouri, Lake Wappapello State Park offers a variety of recreation opportunities ranging from an exciting day on Lake Wappapello to a quiet stroll through the Ozark forest. Activities: camping, fishing, lodging, picnicking, swimming, hiking - equestrian - mountain biking - backpacking trails