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Cuivre River State Park

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Park Information

Cuivre River State Park is a bit of the Ozarks outside of the Ozarks – a nature lovers paradise just a short drive from St. Louis that is vibrant with colors three seasons of the year. The park’s renowned trails take visitors through prairies and forests of oaks and hickories. The park’s three natural areas feature sinkhole ponds and woodlands that would be more at home in southern Missouri. The park has hiking and equestrian trails, modern campsites, group camps, picnic areas and a lake so everyone can enjoy one of Missouri’s most rugged and beautiful jewels.

Park Hours

Day-use Areas
6 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily (The beach closes at 8 p.m.)

Beach hours

May 24 through Sept. 15, 2013
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily

Visitor Center hours

Visitor Center/Park Office Hours

Summer Hours (On-Season)

  • April 15 through Oct. 31
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
    10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday
    11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun.

Winter Hours (Off-Season)

  • Nov. 1 through the third Friday in November
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
    10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday
    11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday
  • Third Saturday in November through the third Sunday in March
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
    closed Saturday and Sunday
  • Third Monday in March through April 14
    8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
    10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday
    11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday
Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites
May 23, 2013
Fifty years ago, if you had arrived at the natural tunnel in Bennett Spring State Park, you would have seen a lake. Around 1964, a dam created from gravel and silt and reinforced with rebar and concrete blocked the upstream entrance of the natural tunnel. There is no record of how long the resulting lake lasted, but historical accounts state the dam failed after heavy rains, leaving only the portion of the structure seen today at the end of the trail. Walk the Natural Tunnel Trail today and imagine what it would have been like 50 years ago. For more information about this trail, other trails at the park, and all the other things you can do at Bennett Spring State Park, visit mostateparks.com.