What's New

News Releases

Special Events, Exhibits and Meetings
Event/Exhibit/Meeting Date
News Releases
May 16-Oct. 30, 2021 Missouri State Parks offers Learn2 Aim archery and atlatl courses at five parks this summer
Oct. 2, 9, 23 and 30, 2021 Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park hosts Saturday morning hikes in October
Oct. 13-31, 2021 Bennett Spring Nature Center and Sunbonnet Garden Club host annual poster contest Oct. 13-31
Oct. 21, 2021 Missouri State Parks and Mid-Continent Public Library present "Arts of the Capitol" virtual program Oct. 21
Oct. 23, 2021 Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park hosts Spooking up the Park Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site hosts Bijou at Bothwell Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Friends of Washington State Park host Halloween Hootenanny Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park hosts annual Halloween Happenings event Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Robertsville State Park hosts Campground Chili Cook-off Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Sam A. Baker State Park hosts an evening of frights and fun at the Halloween Bash Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Scott Joplin House State Historic Site hosts public information meeting Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Washington State Park hosts public information meeting Oct. 23
Oct. 23, 2021 Wakonda State Park invites the public to trick or treat at the Wakonda Spooktacular Oct. 23
Oct. 23-24, 2021 Wakonda State Park displays the Missouri State Parks bicentennial quilts Oct. 23-24
Oct. 28, 2021 Cuivre River State Park hosts community trunk or treat Oct. 28
Oct. 30, 2021 Bennett Spring State Park hosts Ball Stroll and Roll Oct. 30 in celebration of Bat Week
Oct. 30, 2021 Crowder State Park hosts North Thompson Fall Hike Oct. 30
Oct. 30, 2021 Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park hosts 'Howl'-oween Oct. 30
Oct. 30, 2021 Echo Bluff State Park hosts Halloween in the Park with a trick-or-treat parade Oct. 30
Oct. 30, 2021 Missouri State Museum hosts virtual Scary Stories in the Woods Oct. 30
Oct. 30, 2021 St. Francois State Park invites the public to a Halloween event Oct. 30
Oct. 30-31, 2021 Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park hosts fourth annual Fall Festival Oct. 30-31
Oct. 31, 2021 Graham Cave hosts public information meeting Oct. 31
Nov. 2, 2021 Ozark Mountain State Park hosts conceptual development planning meeting Nov. 2
General News
Date of News Release  
09/28/2021 Cuivre River State Park challenges visitors to complete the "Passport to Adventure" now through Oct. 31
09/26/2021 Missouri State Parks reminds park visitors to follow Leave No Trace Principles while outdoors this fall
09/15/2021 The Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site conceptual development plan is now complete and available online
09/15/2021 The Donnelly-LaMear Trailhead entrance at St. Joe State Park is now open
09/03/2021 Department of Natural Resources moves LGBTQ exhibit to Lohman Building
08/31/2021 Department of Natural Resources director names deputy and new Missouri State Parks director
08/02/2021 Missouri State Parks announces 2022 grant round for Historic Preservation Fund grants
07/30/2021 Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses to stay safe when enjoying nature
07/27/2021 2021 Bicentennial Katy Trail Ride canceled due to recent flooding
07/23/2021 Keep safety top of mind when exploring the outdoors
07/20/2021 Registration for Glow Paddle at Wakonda State Park on Aug. 21 is now open
06/25/2021 Missouri State Parks adds 25-mile, family-friendly fun ride to the 2021 Bicentennial Ride at Katy Trail State Park
06/23/2021 Missouri state parks provide refuge for Missouri pollinators during National Pollinator Week and beyond
06/10/2021 Department of Natural Resources offers assistance for outdoor recreation projects
06/09/2021 Thunderbird Lodge at Washington State Park selected as a recipient of the Preserve Missouri Award
06/08/2021 Missouri State Parks announces winners of Virtual Youth Earth Day Art Contest
06/08/2021 Sappington African American Cemetery in Arrow Rock dedicated as new state historic site
05/27/2021 Missouri State Parks celebrates the completion of the Katy Trail State Park connector in Sedalia
05/27/2021 Missouri State Parks kicks off the swimming recreational season during Memorial Day Weekend
05/19/2021 Missouri State Parks announces the 2021 Bicentennial Ride at Katy Trail State Park
04/30/2021 Missouri State Parks offers same-day reservations at most campgrounds this season
04/29/2021 Roaring River State Park heavily impacted by historic flooding, camping and angling opportunities temporarily impacted
04/20/2021 Missouri State Parks adds 22 trails to ​Birdability program
04/20/2021 Ortega National Parks will operate Lake of the Ozarks State Park Marina beginning this spring
04/13/2021 Missouri State Parks hosts virtual youth Earth Day art contest
04/13/2021 Lake of the Ozarks State Park opens new special-use area during April 10 ceremony
04/01/2021 Department of Natural Resources annual photo contest is now open
03/12/2021 Missouri state parks and historic sites prepare for 2021 camping season
03/03/2021 Anglers celebrate 2021 trout season opening in Missouri state parks
02/19/2021 BA Services, Inc. to operate ​Meramec State Park lodging, watercraft rental and retail concessions
02/05/2021 Missouri State Parks now accepting nominations for all-terrain and utility task vehicle riding representative on Missouri Trails Advisory Board
01/21/2021 Missouri State Museum launches Missouri state Capitol virtual tour series
01/14/2021 Missouri state parks are open - indoor spaces remain closed through Feb. 28
12/16/2020 Missouri State Parks announces 2021 round for outdoor recreation grants
12/14/2020 Department of Natural Resources photo contest winners announced
11/24/2020 Missouri state parks remain open - indoor spaces to close
11/10/2020 Missouri State Parks senior naturalist, Michelle Soenksen, receives national 2020 Master Front-line Interpreter Award
11/04/2020 Missouri State Parks announces grantees for Federal Recreational Trail Program grants
10/21/2020 Missouri State Parks encourages park visitors to follow Leave No Trace Principles and social-distancing guidelines this fall
10/08/2020 Missouri State Parks launches new online map highlighting park and site status and temporary closures
10/06/2020 Permits now required for backpackers camping in backcountry of Hawn State Park
10/05/2020 Missouri State Parks launches Better Impact, an online volunteer signup and recruitment tool
09/30/2020 Bennett Spring State Park recognizes Robert ​Wolkwitz as winner of pawpaw contest
07/15/2020 Missouri State Parks and Office of Geospatial Information recognized with the Special Achievement in GIS Award
07/14/2020 Missouri State Parks announces 2021 round for Historic Preservation Fund grants
06/16/2020 Missouri State Parks announces 12-month camping reservation window beginning June 30
06/10/2020 DNR reminds Missourians to be aware of potential harmful algae blooms in waterways this summer
06/04/2020 Missouri State Parks reopens some visitor centers and offices
05/27/2020 Missouri State Parks accepting nominations for three members of Missouri Trails Advisory Board
05/17/2020 St. Joe State Park off-road vehicle riding area reopens May 18
05/14/2020 Missouri State Parks campgrounds to begin phased reopening on May 18
05/12/2020 State Historic Preservation Office receives ACHP Chairman’s Achievement Award
05/11/2020 Department of Natural Resources annual photo contest is now open
05/11/2020 Elephant Rocks and Castlewood state parks open May 11
05/11/2020 Weston Bend and Watkins Woolen Mill state parks partially open May 11
05/05/2020 Missouri State Parks cancels 2020 Katy Trail Ride
04/29/2020 Missouri State Parks announces phase one in resuming normal operations
04/17/2020 Missouri State Parks extends temporary closures through May 3
03/31/2020 Missouri State Parks modifies operations to address overcrowding
03/23/2020 Missouri state parks remain open for day-use, temporarily closing campgrounds and lodging March 27 through April 30
03/19/2020 Missouri state parks remain open, temporarily closing visitor centers and park or site offices to walk-in foot traffic - effective Friday, March 20
03/14/2020 Missouri State Parks postpones special events and programs and temporarily suspends guided group or school tours now through April 30
03/13/2020 Missouri State Parks postpones events and programs now through April 30
03/03/2020 Register to ride or volunteer for the 20th annual Katy Trail Ride
03/03/2020 Anglers celebrate 2020 trout season opening in Missouri state parks
01/31/2020 Department of Natural Resources names new Missouri State Parks Director
01/27/2020 Bennett Spring State Park announces 2019 Art Contest Winners
01/16/2020 Missouri State Parks accepts nominations for off-highway motorcycling representative on Trails Advisory Board
01/10/2020 Missouri Department of Natural Resources provides climate-controlled waiting area for Amtrak customers at Jefferson Landing
12/26/2019 Katy Trail State Park Story Map Online
12/17/2019 Department of Natural Resources and Ameren Missouri's Missouri Central Railroad sign agreement on Rock Island Line Corridor
12/17/2019 Missouri State Parks announces 2020 round for outdoor recreation grants
11/26/2019 Missouri State Parks Gift Cards Available
11/21/2019 Missouri State Parks asking assistance from trail users to test trail app
11/01/2019 Missouri State Parks returns management of Viney Creek Recreation Area to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
10/24/2019 Ortega National Parks to operate Montauk State Park concession beginning Nov. 1
08/15/2019 Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Central Railroad receive negotiation extension for Rock Island Line Corridor
07/01/2019
06/11/2019
05/31/2019 2019 Katy Trail Ride Canceled Due to Missouri River Flooding
05/24/2019 Missouri State Parks offers free camping for Missouri residents displaced by tornadoes and flooding
05/22/2019 J. Huston Tavern closed due to kitchen fire
03/29/2019 Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park honors Annie’s legacy
03/28/2019 Missouri State Parks accepts nominations for General Trail Use representative through May 31
03/22/2019 Missouri State Parks offers free camping for Missouri residents displaced by flooding
02/25/2019 Bennett Spring State Park redirects traffic to park’s main entrance
02/11/2019 Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Missouri Central Railroad receive negotiation extension for Rock Island Line Corridor
01/28/2019 Department Announces Community Art Contest Winners
12/21/2018 Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site opens new exhibit
12/18/2018 State of Missouri celebrates the legacy of Pat Jones
12/17/2018 Missouri State Parks announces 2019 grant round for outdoor recreation grants
12/06/2018 Missouri State Parks announces grant round for outdoor recreation grants
11/09/2018 Missouri State Parks announces $2 rate increase for campsites with electricity
10/12/2018 Drought Update
10/05/2018 Drought Update
09/28/2018 Drought Update
09/25/2018 Drought Update
09/21/2018 Drought Update
09/21/2018 Missouri State Parks seeking bid applications for a concessionaire at Montauk State Park
09/14/2018 Drought Update
09/10/2018 Drought Update
08/31/2018 Drought Update
08/28/2018 Drought Update
08/27/2018 Drought Update
08/27/2018 Drought Update
08/20/2018 Drought Update
06/07/2018 Missouri State Parks announces Centennial Passport Program winners
05/25/2018 Missouri State Parks kicks off the swimming recreational season during Memorial Day Weekend
05/15/2018 Missouri State Parks seeks to recruit and hire more veterans
04/30/2018 Finger Lakes State Park main entrance to temporarily close for lake dam renovation
03/05/2018 Anglers celebrate 2018 trout season opening in Missouri State Parks
01/22/2018 Public Comments on Closed Missouri State Parks' Properties Now Available Online
01/18/2018 Missouri State Parks Soliciting Bids for Food and Resale Concession Operation at St. Joe State Park
11/3/2017 Missouri State Parks extends Centennial Passport program
9/22/2017 Missouri Crews Return from Helping with Florida Cleanup
09/12/2017 Missouri Crews Heading to Florida to Help with Cleanup
07/21/2017 Missouri State Parks is increasing awareness concerning mosquitoes
06/30/2017 Tick study under way at Meramec State Park
11/04/2016 Missouri State Parks offers early camping reservations for 2017 solar eclipse
08/12/2016 Missouri State Parks designates new wild area
12/08/2015 Missouri State Park Ranger earns national Park Ranger of the Year Award
10/07/2015 “The Battle of Island Mound” wins two Emmy Awards from NATAS Mid-American Chapter
06/05/2015 Nine of Missouri’s state parks and historic sites awarded Trip Advisor’s Certificate of Excellence