Quick Summary:

  • What recreational opportunities are available in Missouri?
    • Historic sites and parks across Missouri provide plenty of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy some of the best cultural landmarks and natural landscapes.
  • What activities can visitors enjoy in Missouri's parks?
    • Parks include a chance to step back to the past with historic site tours, fishing in lakes and streams, swimming, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Bennett Spring State Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Bennett Spring State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Tommy Brison/stock.adobe.com

2. Castlewood State Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Castlewood State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© eric/stock.adobe.com

3. Cuivre River State Park

Category: Activities
Cuivre River State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Elizaveta/stock.adobe.com

4. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park

Category: Activities
Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© TimUeltzen/stock.adobe.com

5. Elephant Rocks State Park

Category: Activities
Elephant Rocks State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Foap.com/stock.adobe.com

6. George Washington Carver National Monument

Category: Activities
George Washington Carver National Monument | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Green Heron Photo/stock.adobe.com

7. Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Category: Activities
Ha Ha Tonka State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Eifel/stock.adobe.com

8. Harry S Truman National Historic Site

Category: Attractions
Harry S Truman National Historic Site | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© NPS Photo

9. Hawn State Park

Category: Activities
Hawn State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Eifel/stock.adobe.com

10. Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

Category: Activities
Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Sharon Day/stock.adobe.com

11. Knob Noster State Park

Category: Activities
Knob Noster State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© oda/stock.adobe.com

12. Lake of the Ozarks State Park

Category: Activities
Lake of the Ozarks State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© jon manjeot/stock.adobe.com

13. Mark Twain State Park

Category: Activities
Mark Twain State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Eifel/stock.adobe.com

14. Meramec State Park

Category: Activities
Meramec State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© EvanTravels/stock.adobe.com

15. Montauk State Park

Category: Activities
Montauk State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© TimUeltzen/stock.adobe.com

16. Onondaga Cave State Park

Category: Activities
Onondaga Cave State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Green Heron Photo/stock.adobe.com

17. Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Category: Activities
Ozark National Scenic Riverways | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© sschremp/stock.adobe.com

18. Roaring River State Park

Category: Activities
Roaring River State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Aaron/stock.adobe.com

19. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

Category: Activities
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

20. St. Joe State Park

Category: Activities
St. Joe State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Bill Chizek/stock.adobe.com

21. Thousand Hills State Park

Category: Activities
Thousand Hills State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© James Carroll/stock.adobe.com

22. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

Category: Attractions
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© NPS Photo

23. Watkins Woolen Mill State Park

Category: Activities
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Watkins Woolen Mill State Park

24. Weston Bend State Park

Category: Activities
Weston Bend State Park | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Aaron/stock.adobe.com

25. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Category: Activities
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield | These Missouri State Parks Are Perfect for a Cheap Getaway
© Green Heron Photo/stock.adobe.com

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