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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.

Volunteer in Parks (VIP) Program

Rock Bridge, Fall, Volunteer Lesson, Worker and Volunteers at Shelter

Individual Volunteer Opportunities

VIP Program, Volunteers in Missouri State ParksDo you love Missouri State Parks and the outdoors?
Do you have skills or talents you would like to share with others?
Do you like to meet and work with people from all walks of life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has something for you. 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. Volunteers assist people in visitor centers, contact stations, and various locations throughout the park or historic site. They serve as natural history interpreters, tour guides and stewards. Some VIPs perform maintenance or light construction tasks and/or help with the construction or renovation of trails. As long as you have a willingness to serve, there are numerous ways to be a VIP with Missouri State Parks. Visit Missouri State Parks' Better Impact page to view all volunteer opportunities and apply today.

Benefits

  • You will receive volunteer training, supervision, and the tools and adequate space to do your work well.
  • You will be considered part of the staff and will be given orientation to the park system and trained in park practices.
  • You will spend time at your favorite park while, at the same time, making it a better place for everyone else.
  • You will be asked to perform volunteer tasks to the same standards as paid employees.

Questions / More Information

For more information, contact:
Volunteer Coordinator
573-751-7733 / 800-334-6946
dspvolunteercoordinator@dnr.mo.gov

Upcoming Volunteer Events

01
January
Date
January 01, 2026 - December 31, 2026
All Day Event
Venue
Missouri State Parks
Location
MO, United States
Sponsor
Missouri State Parks
Price
Free – $5
07
February
Date
February 07, 2026 - December 05, 2026
All Day Event
Venue
Missouri State Parks
Location
MO, United States
Sponsor
Missouri State Parks
Price
Free
01
March
Date
March 01, 2026 - October 31, 2026
All Day Event
Venue
Missouri State Parks
Location
MO, United States
Sponsor
Missouri State Parks