Surrounded by water on three sides, the park encompasses the tip of a peninsula jutting into Truman Lake. The park offers a marina, camping, hiking, picnic sites, a shelter, swimming, boat rentals and ramps, and great fishing. It is located west of Warsaw off Route 7.

The Santa Fe Trail crossed the Missouri River here. Landmarks include artist George Caleb Bingham's house, the circa 1834 Huston Tavern, a one-room jail, a visitor center museum, camping, hiking trails and picnicking. The Huston Tavern offers dining in an 1860s atmosphere. Arrow Rock is 13 miles north of I-70.

At this site, Union troops defeated the pro-south Missouri State Guard in 1861; it was the northernmost Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. The site features camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing and boating. History tours from one to six hours in duration are available. Guided natural history tours and hikes lasting up to two hours are offered. The site is located 10 miles north of Kahoka.

This is the location of the final confrontation of a 12-hour Civil War battle on July 5, 1861, where 6,000 Southern troops forced Union soldiers to retreat to Sarcoxie. An interpretive shelter explains the history of the battle. The site is unmanned and is managed by Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site in Lamar.

The site features the Civil War battlefield and the Anderson House, which was used by both sides as a field hospital during the September 1861 battle. Highlights include a visitor center with exhibits, an interpretive, self-guided trail on the battlefield and guided tours.

Bennett Spring is the state’s third-largest spring. Trout fishing, lodging, camping, dining, fly-fishing schools, a nature center, a swimming pool, float trips, hiking trails, a store and picnicking are park features. The park is 12 miles west of Lebanon. Trout season is March-October. A Missouri fishing license and daily trout tag are required to fish. Pets are not allowed in buildings. The park office is closed on state holidays.

The 625-acre Oxbow Lake, 11 miles southwest of Mound City, is perfect for fishing. The park offers lodging, camping, dining, a swimming pool, a snack bar, a store and picnicking. It is an area for bird watching, as it lies along a major migratory flyway.

Driving along the rural highways in southeast Missouri, travelers may notice an abundance of farmland. Amid this farmland, 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. A boardwalk allows visitors to walk alongside champion trees and through wetlands. The interpretive center highlights the park's flora and fauna. Picnic sites and a shelter are available; there are hiking trails and a small lake for fishing. The park is managed by Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site.

Outstanding oak and oak-pine woodlands are features of this 2,082-acre park in the rugged Elk Hills region of southwest Missouri. These glades, woodlands and bluffs lie along scenic Big Sugar Creek. A three-mile hiking trail traverses the park's unique features, designated as the Elk River Breaks Natural Area. The park is managed out of Roaring River State Park.

The four-story, stone and brick water-powered mill dates to around 1867. The 140-foot Burfordville Covered Bridge crosses the Whitewater River that powers the mill. Cornmeal is ground as part of the mill tour. Picnic sites are available. Off of Route 34 onto Route OO to Route HH. Call for tour times. Tours: $4; ages 6-12, $2.50; younger than 6, free.

As early as 1805, Daniel and Nathan Boone, sons of famed frontiersman Daniel Boone, processed salt from Boone's Lick Spring. A trail with interpretive panels leads to the spring. Picnic sites are available. This historic site is managed out of Arrow Rock State Historic Site. Located 12 miles northwest of Boonville on Route 187, off Route 87.

A circa 1900 castle on a hill. Bothwell Lodge represents early 20th century extravagant living. It was built by Sedalia lawyer and politician John H. Bothwell. Hiking, mountain biking and picnicking are available. For tour hours, visit http://www.MoStateParks.com/bothwell/hours.htm. The property is located north of Sedalia off Route 65. Tours: $4; Ages 6-12, $2.50; Younger than 6, free.

Enjoy our private, scenic campground on 40 wooded acres. All RV sites include: shady location; water; electric; sewer hook-ups; fire ring; and picnic table. We have restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Shaded tent sites and group areas are available. Facilities include: game room; pool; boating; fishing; playground. Firewood and camping supplies available at our camp store. Our marina offers covered boat slips, a swimming dock, picnic tables, and a fish cleaning station. We offer overnight and seasonal camping. Winter storage onsite. Open April through October.

This park, straddling the Meramec River, is an excellent location for canoeing and fishing. Open for day use only, the park features picnic sites and shelters, a boat ramp and hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails.

This site was noted in William Clark’s journal in 1804. A half-mile trail takes visitors up a hill, past American Indian burial mounds and interpretive panels, to an overlook of the Missouri and Osage rivers. The historic site is managed out of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. Located off Route 50, north on Route J.

This 135-acre memorial park area of the Confederate Home of Missouri is preserved in memory of the 40,000 Missourians who fought under the Confederate flag. Visitors can tour the cemetery and chapel. The site includes the chapel, cemetery, picnic sites and several small fishing lakes.

This park, four miles west of Trenton, is dedicated to Gen. Enoch Crowder, founder of the selective service system. It features camping, hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails, an organized group camp, picnic sites and shelters, and a lake for fishing and swimming.

More than 38 miles of hiking, backpacking and equestrian trails wind through this 6,393-acre park. Camping, equestrian camping, a lake for fishing and swimming, picnicking, an organized group camp and a visitor center are features. The park is located three miles east of Troy.

This site, in Hermann's historic district, interprets 19th century German-American immigration, history and culture. Tours include: the Strehly house (circa 1850), once the site of a German print shop and winery; the period decorated Pommer-Gentner House (circa 1840); two heritage gardens; and a barn. Admission: $2.50; ages 6-12, $1.50; younger than 6, free.

Tucked between colorful Ozark hills, Dillard Mill, bult in 1900, is one of Missouri’s best-preserved examples of a water-powered gristmill. The red mill overlooking the spring-fed Huzzah Creek makes a picturesque place to picnic and hike. Tours: $2.50; ages 6-12, $1.50.

This park, 20 miles west of St. Louis off Route 109 on Route BA, is dedicated to physician and surgeon Dr. Edmund Babler. It features camping, picnicking, a paved bicycle trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a visitor center with exhibits, interpretive programs and an accessible group camp.

A trail leads to the point where the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers meet. Interpretive panels focus on the rivers and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The park's location is great for bird watching. Flooding occaisionally causes closure of the park. Check the Web site prior to your visit.

Giant granite rocks a billion years old stand end-to-end like a train of red circus elephants. A self-guiding trail (with Braille signage) winds among these geologic wonders. Picnic sites and flush restrooms are available.

This historic site includes three houses: the 1818 Federal-style Felix Valle House; the vertical-log, 1792 Amoureux House; and the 1819 Shaw House. Exhibits interpret the lifestyles and history of early Ste. Genevieve. These are some of the finest examples of French colonial architecture in the nation. Tours: $2.50; ages 6-12, $1.50.

This reclaimed strip mine area, 10 miles north of Columbia off Route 63, is one of two state parks where off-road motorcycling and ATV riding is allowed. Trails and a motocross track are available. There are seven strip pits for swimming, canoeing and fishing. Camping and picnicking are available.