Missouri Parks Association

08/18/2026

The 2026–27 Missouri State Parks Bus Grant Program is officially open!

The grant helps cover transportation costs for pre-K through 12th-grade field trips, making it easier for students to explore Missouri’s state parks and historic sites.

Info on how to apply is in the post 🚌

08/06/2026

Thank you for supporting Amendment 1!

Now that the election is over, you may have questions about what comes next.

Do you have questions about the Missouri State Parks budget, funding, or how the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax supports our state parks?

The Missouri Parks Association is here to help provide information and keep you informed about the future of Missouri’s state parks. And if you want to continue supporting Missouri State Parks, consider becoming a member of the Missouri Parks Association.

Your membership helps support advocacy, education, outreach, and the long-term protection of Missouri’s parks and historic sites.
Pay what you can at, https://tinyurl.com/339jv5ma

Have a question? Ask us! [email protected]

08/05/2026

Thank you, Missouri voters! The passage of Amendment 1 renews the parks, soils, and water sales tax, ensuring continued investment in our state parks and natural resources. Thank you for your commitment and continued support of hiking, camping, preserving, and protecting these special places for future generations.

And a BIG thank you to Missouri State Park employees, who are on the front lines every day caring for our natural resources and serving the public. Your hard work, dedication, and stewardship make Missouri's parks a place we can all enjoy and cherish.

The renewal of this amendment is a reflection of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to preserving Missouri's parks and natural resources for generations to come!

08/04/2026

Go vote! 🗳️

That's right, folks, the time is now!

Vote today to preserve Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, and Missouri's Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Unsure of where your voting location is? Visit https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/govotemissouri to find out!

Polls are open today until 7 PM! If you are in line at the closing time of 7 PM, you have the right to cast your vote.

08/04/2026

VOTE 🗳️

08/02/2026

Missouri State Parks are more than beautiful places to explore—they're an economic engine. For more information, see the post 👇

08/02/2026

On August 4, vote YES to continue investing in Missouri's state parks and historic sites!

07/31/2026

Why are Missouri's state parks important—even if you never visit one?

When people think about Missouri's state parks, they often think about camping, hiking, fishing, or scenic overlooks. But the value of Missouri's state parks extends far beyond recreation.

From the tallgrass prairies at Prairie State Park to the ancient geology and rare ecosystems at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and the historic bottomland forests preserved at Big Oak Tree State Park, these lands safeguard clean water, protect wildlife habitat, preserve rare plants and animals, and serve as living classrooms for research and education.

Pictured is Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and is one of Missouri's most biologically diverse protected landscapes. The park contains 17 distinct terrestrial natural communities and supports more than 850 plant species—nearly 40 percent of all plant species found in Missouri.

Within its boundaries are several designated natural areas, including the 7,028-acre St. Francois Mountains Natural Area, Missouri's largest natural area. These protected lands preserve rare glades, groundwater-fed fens, forests, and ancient volcanic geology found almost nowhere else in the state.

📷: Randal and Denise Clark