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Discover Missouri State Parks

Reserve a Campsite

Approximately 3,500 state park campsites are available for reservation at 38 different state parks and state historic sites.

Make a reservation.

Reserve a Lodging Unit

Twelve state parks accept lodging reservation through their concessionaires, while five offer reservations through the Centralized Reservation System. Refer to the information below to make a reservation at the park of your choice.

Make a reservation.

Find a Job with Missouri State Parks

We’re looking for people to join our team who love nature and want to care for Missouri’s outstanding natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy! Check out the current list of open positions within our team. Be sure to sign up to receive updates when a new position is available.

Learn about careers.

Become a Volunteer

Do you love Missouri State Parks and the outdoors?

The Volunteers In Parks (VIP) Program is for everyone: professionals, aging adults, students, teachers, youth and civic groups. VIPs provide invaluable assistance to Missouri State Parks on a wide variety of tasks and projects around the state.

Learn about the VIP Program.

Access Park & Historic Site Maps

Plan your adventure with confidence. View park and historic site maps to navigate trails, facilities, and points of interest across Missouri State Parks.

View the Park and Site Status Map.

Explore Upcoming Events

Discover what’s happening in Missouri State Parks. Explore upcoming events that connect you with nature, history, and outdoor adventure through guided hikes, educational programs, and family-friendly experiences.

View upcoming events.

Apply for a Grant

Missouri State Parks administers three federally funded grant programs and one state-funded grant program related to outdoor recreation. It also administers one federally funded grant program related to historic preservation. This page provides basic information about each program.

Learn about grant opportunities.

Purchase a Gift Card

A Missouri State Parks gift card lets you take advantage of a more convenient way to make camping reservations, purchase state park merchandise and give great gifts to your friends. A gift card can be purchased for $10 or more. Physical gift cards purchased online or by phone will be sent by postal mail. Please allow seven to 10 business days for delivery. E-gift cards will sent to the email address on your customer account within 24 hours.

Get gift cards now.

Take a Tour

Visitors to Missouri’s state historic sites have a wealth of experiences awaiting them, from touring Civil War battlefields to seeing the birth sites of Mark Twain and Harry S Truman.

Find a virtual tour.

Find a historic site to tour.

Take a cave tour.

Purchase an ORV Permit - ORV Riding

ORV permits can be bought online for up to three days of riding. Riders can purchase their ORV permit before arriving to the park. Permits are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Go ORV riding!

Rent a Watercraft - Paddling

Watercrafts are available for all-day and half-day rentals. A watercraft agreement will be completed at the park. A driver's license will be obtained by the park office and kept there until all rented equipment is returned.

Go paddling!

Reserve a Meeting Space

Several parks and historic sites offer meeting spaces. Visit the Park Site & Status Map to decide which space is right for you and use the reservation system to stake your claim on your date.

View the brochure.

Make a Donation

By making a donation, you can personally help us preserve and maintain Missouri's 92 state parks and historic sites. With your help, we can continue to provide the many special places across Missouri that preserve our state's most outstanding natural landscapes and cultural landmarks and provide recreational opportunities.

Make a donation now.

Bring My Pet to Missouri State Parks

Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Missouri State Parks. Following are a few simple rules to ensure that you, your pet and other park visitors enjoy the outing. These rules apply to all types of pets except service animals assisting people with disabilities.

Learn about pet rules.

Buy Missouri State Parks Merchandise

Bring a piece of Missouri State Parks into your everyday life! You can browse our complete selection of items together, or you can shop by category.

Shop now.

Find the Latest News Releases

The department's Office of Communications releases notices to the media throughout the day. These news releases are posted to our website as soon as possible. If you have questions about a specific news release, please email or call the department contact listed in the news release.

View the latest news.

2026 Learn2 Programs

Learn2 Programs, Paddle, Aim, Climb, Trout Fish

Have you ever wanted to try kayaking, archery, rock climbing or trout fishing but didn't know where to begin? Then you're in luck! Missouri State Parks is offering to teach you how to perform these activities in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Continue reading for more information about the different programs in our Learn2 series, including course descriptions and schedules, age and skill requirements, and items to bring.

Advance registration is required for all Learn2 events, and some have a registration fee.

Learn2 Paddle

Missouri State Parks is offering two Learn2 Paddle programs in 2025: our traditional Learn2 Paddle, a beginner-level course that takes place on the still waters of lakes and reservoirs throughout the state, and Learn2 Paddle River, a more advanced course that uses two of Missouri's most scenic rivers: the Meramec and the Current.

Program details:

  • Minimum age: 12 years
  • Cost: $5 per person
  • Dates, registration instructions and additional info: Please visit the Learn2 Paddle webpage.

    Learn2 Paddle Series

    Go beyond our traditional Learn2 Paddle program in this three-part series. After getting an introduction to flatwater kayaking in the first session, gain confidence and experience on moving water during the second session, and then finish the series with an interpretive paddle on the Meramec River. Participants must attend all three classes.

    Program details:

    • Minimum age: 18 years
    • Cost: $40 per person for the entire series
    • Dates, registration instructions and additional info: Please visit the Learn2 Paddle Series webpage.

    Learn2 Aim

    Begin your archer journey by attending a hands-on workshop this year! Take a step back in time and join Missouri State Parks for a Learn2 Aim event. This is a great opportunity to learn new skills with joint instruction on the basics of archery and atlatl throwing. Missouri State Parks provides the equipment and expertise in a safe environment – you bring your enthusiasm to learn a skill that ties back to Missouri history.

    Program details:

      • Minimum age: 10 years
      • Cost: free
      • Dates, registration instructions and additional info: Please visit the Learn2 Aim webpage.

    Learn 2 Climb

    Want to see Missouri from a new perspective? Join our Learn2 Climb program to learn the basics of outdoor rock climbing safety and technique from a certified instructor, and then try it out on real rock! This beginner-oriented course will allow you to enjoy nature from new heights!

    This program is made possible by the Bronco Wild Fund. The Bronco Wild Fund has a mission in supporting agencies and organizations that are devoted to the great outdoors. A part of this fund is getting people out to enjoy the outdoors respectfully and continuing the preservation of all public lands.

    Program details:

    • Minimum age: 10 years
    • Cost: free
    • Dates, registration instructions and additional info: Please visit the Learn2 Climb webpage.

    Learn2 Trout Fish

    Join Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation this March at Roaring River State Park as we teach the basics of trout fishing using both spin and fly-fishing tackle. This hands-on class will teach participants about regulations, tackle and fishing zones and will offer one-on-one fishing instruction.

    Program details:

    • Minimum age: 8 years
    • Cost: free

    Dates, registration instructions and additional info: Please visit the Learn2 Trout Fish webpage.