Missouri’s state park system, which on five occasions has been ranked as one of the top four state park systems in the nation, contains 87 state parks and historic sites plus the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry. Within more than 200,000 acres available to the public, the state park system has something to fit everyone’s needs. The system includes homes of famous Missourians, Civil War battlefields; and reminders of yesterday such as gristmills and covered bridges. The state’s most outstanding landscapes are preserved here for everyone’s enjoyment- deep forests, glades, prairies and blue streams and lakes.

About 17 million people visit the system annually to hike, camp, fish, discover the past and explore nature. The system is managed by around 650 full-time employees and approximately 100 seasonal employees. To help visitors enjoy their stay, the system offers 1,500 structures, 3,700 campsites, 194 cabins, almost 2,000 picnic sites and 840 miles of trail. These trails include opportunities for hikers, backpackers, bicycle riders, off-road vehicle users and horseback riders.