DNR
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At a glance... 2800 Pimville Road |
573-431-1069 |
Acreage: 8,242.98 |
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St. Joe State Park is located in the heart of the old
"Lead Belt" of southeast Missouri where much of the nation's
lead ore was extracted for more than a century. In 1972, the
St. Joe Minerals Corp. ceased operations and subsequently
donated the land to the state in 1976.
Today, the 8,238-acre St. Joe State Park is Missouri's third largest state park, with approximately 2,000 acres set aside for the state's premier off-road vehicle (ORV) riding area. Contact the park office for more information about the special rules and regulations that apply.
The park also features two campgrounds capable of accommodating campers with ORVs and horses, a hiking/bicycling trail, equestrian trails, picnic sites and lakes for swimming and fishing. Visitors can explore several thousand acres of woodlands or spend their days relaxing in the great outdoors.
The historic mill buildings, where St. Joe Minerals once processed the lead ore, still stand nearby and have been designated as Missouri Mines State Historic Site. There you can enjoy an excellent mining museum featuring a large collection of geological specimens and antique mining and milling equipment.
Statement about St. Joe State Park
Recent press coverage has discussed the possibility of closing St. Joe State Park. Please be assured that St. Joe State Park is not closing. The recent discussions were the result of comments made by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the department should phase out off-road vehicle riding on the mine waste piles (the sand flats) over a five-to-seven year period. A 2003 Human Health Risk Assessment, which was approved by EPA and others, showed through statistical modeling that risks associated with recreational exposures from off-road-vehicle riding at the site were within acceptable levels. The Department of Natural Resources plans to work with EPA to develop designs and technology to allow some type of riding on the sand flats. There will be no final decision on what will happen with the riding area until this process has been completed. Until this happens, the park will continue to operate as it has in the past. Even if there is a modification of the riding area on the sand flats, the remainder of the park will continue to provide recreational opportunities.
