The 5 Best State Parks in Missouri

John Steinbeck once said in his famous book Travels with Charley that a person goes not so much to see but to tell. He was referring to the excellent story-telling opportunities that vacations bring to people.

While Steinbeck himself was not a huge park fan (preferring instead to find nature in its pure, unaltered state), I’m sure he would still agree that Missouri is a great place to visit any time of year.

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There are many family-friendly activities, museums, and events to take in. But one of the most rewarding things you can do is to go to one of the many state parks in Missouri. Some offer biking and hiking or horse-riding, fishing, and camping opportunities.

Others have fantastic top views of the valley and lakes below. You can take in nature at its finest in Missouri state parks and come back with a great story to tell, as well.

Missouri State Parks

The Missouri State Parks site lists fifty-six state parks in the state of Missouri. Among these are The Echo Bluff State Park and the Tablerock State Park, two historic and unique parks that hold many educational and relaxing views of Missouri.

When you plan on traveling to Missouri, it’s good to know where the parks are located so that you will be able to find them and enjoy what they have to offer when in the area.

You can find any Park in the state of Missouri by going to this site. It allows you to search for parks in a variety of ways including region, camping, lodging, and activities, to name a few.

Why visit a state park?

There are many reasons to visit a state park when in Missouri. It’s a great place to learn about the history and the culture of the state as well as relax, do some camping or fishing, and enjoy time with family and friends.

State parks are also a great place to enjoy nature and appreciate the small things in life like listening to a bird’s sweet song or having a picnic while watching the ducks on the Lake.

The Best State Parks in Missouri

There are fifty-six known state parks in Missouri and, while we won’t have time to go over all of those in this post, we will look at the top five state parks so that you can bookmark them for a future visit.

#1 – Castlewood State Park

Castlewood State Park is one park in Missouri that you won’t want to miss. Castlewood State Park was established as a retreat for people who were socializing in St. Louis and wanted a place to rest from their partying.

The park features a variety of hiking and mountain bike trails that let you view the beautiful historic sites including Civil War landmarks and other historic points of interest.

You can enjoy fishing and camping as well as birdwatching and wildlife discovery in this historic Missouri park. The Castlewood State Park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset daily year round.

#2 – Bennett Spring State Park

Bennett Spring State Park was first discovered by settlers in the mid-19th century who came through the area in search for a place to establish flour mills. Today, people come to fish for trout or to watch the huge spring that pushes 100,000,000 gallons of water through per day!

Camping, canoeing, and hiking are also popular activities at Bennett Spring State Park, and you can choose from a variety of hiking trails, both easy and challenging in scope.

There are also interpretive programs throughout the year that teach visitors about the Missouri springs and natural scenery. The Spring is the main attraction at Bennett Spring Park, as you can well imagine.

#3 – Ha Ha Tonka State Park

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MyXtD_sodc

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a park full of breathtaking, picturesque scenery that is considered one of Missouri’s finest tourist spots. It is located right on the Lake of the Ozarks, a beautiful stretch of pure green water that shimmers in the sunshine for visitors to enjoy.

There are historical aspects to the park as well, including the castle that was built by a Kansas City businessman who decided to build it on top of a bluff.

This bluff gives tourists a birdseye view of the stretch of a lake below. There are also more than 15 miles of trails that lead to unique attractions such as natural bridges, caves, and an entrance to the Lake of the Ozarks.

The park has listed their hours as “7 a.m. to sunset” daily April through October and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. to sunset November through March (Winter hours).

#4 – Elephant Rocks State Park

Elephant Rocks State Park is another example of a state park in Missouri that offers a variety of historical views of Missouri as well as a unique view of what is known as “elephant rocks.” They are called elephant rocks because the rocks are colossal, rounded-out rock formations that stand end-to-end like a circle of circus elephants.

These fascinating large rocks are made from granite, and they are fascinating to children, as well as geologists and history buffs, alike. Children can climb in and around the boulders and explore them through the interpretative Braille Trail.

Many visitors enjoy having a picnic lunch when in the area that offers a wide variety of spots to rest and enjoy the park.

The park is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through October. Winter hours (November through March) are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#5 – Table Rock State Park

Table Rock State Park is a park that offers something for everyone. From a modern campground to a full range of campsites and fishing spots, this park is a pristine area rich in lake views and boating opportunities for the water lover.

For hikers, you can find all sorts of trails that range from challenging mountain bike trails to paved trails that walkers can walk with ease. There are plenty of picnic areas near the lake that make it a beautiful place for lunch or to relax at the end of a tiring day.

For the water sports enthusiast, how about a SCUBA diving excursion? Table Rock Lake Park is one of the most impressive state parks in the area and complements the many activities that surround the Branson area.

The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and there is no fee for entrance to the Missouri state parks. You need a reservation for camping reservations and you can find the fee list here.

Driving Safely in State Parks

When driving in the Missouri state parks, you will want to keep in mind some safety regulations that don’t usually apply on the major roadways. Below are some of the situations that you will want to keep in mind as you drive in the parks.

• Cyclists/Runners/Hikers – There are many types of people in the state parks at any given time. Cyclists, runners, and hikers are among the types of people are likely to see in the parks. Keep an eye out for people engaging in any of these sports and keep your speed to a minimum when driving through the park area.
• Wild animals – Another thing you should stay aware of is the number of wild animals in the park. There is a multitude of wild animals such as deer, rabbits, squirrels, and other animals that could run out in front of you without warning.
• Fallen debris – Some parks may be dangerous after flooding or if there has been a wildfire in the area. Stay alerted to weather conditions which can change suddenly creating a hazard such as falling limbs or debris.
• Unsafe roads – Roads can be unpredictable at times, too in state parks. Flooding can cause some of the side roads to be unpassable and icy conditions can render a road treacherous in a very short period.

When traveling the state parks, you should also be aware of changing conditions such as speed limits that change abruptly or curving roads. Law enforcement officers estimate that there are around 200 accidents per year in state parks. Half of those also result in injury to passengers or the driver.

Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

Many wise travelers keep an emergency kit in their car. Why should you do this? You never know when you will run into a unique situation, become unexpectedly stranded on the road, or have another emergency. The following is a list of things to keep in your emergency car kit:

• Food that won’t spoil
• Water
• Blankets
• First aid kit
• A simple toolkit

You should always think about the specific area that you are traveling to when preparing your emergency kit.

In Missouri, think about the possibility of flooding, changing weather conditions (especially during the winter months), and other factors that might pose a specific threat. Window Defrosters and bear spray are helpful items to keep in your car to protect yourself.

Car Insurance for Driving through State Parks

When traveling through state parks, keep in mind the best insurance coverage that you may need to protect yourself and your family.

• Collision – Collision insurance covers your repairs if you have a collision in a park that does not involve another driver. The types of accidents you may encounter with your car and the natural environment are greater in state parks than other areas.
• Comprehensive – Comprehensive insurance covers you for vandalism and theft, as well as damage from falling debris or natural causes.
• Roadside assistance – You never know when you might be stranded due to running out of gas or icy road conditions. You might also have a collision that damages your car and strands you on the road.

Before You Go

Remember that insurance is always for the purpose of protecting you when something happens. But the time to prepare is before you encounter the risk.

So, when planning to visit Missouri state parks (or any vacation destination), you should always take account of the condition of your car as well as the insurance coverage you have. Make sure that you have adequate coverage to cover the unforeseen situations that you cannot predict.

Visiting state parks is an exciting adventure and one you’ll not want to miss. But just make sure that you have the best insurance before you go so that you won’t also bring home out-of-pocket expenses when you take in the state parks.

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