Big Oak Tree State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- mostateparks.com(573) 649-3149
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Mississippi County, about 9 miles northwest of Hickman, Big Oak Tree State Park covers about 1,043 acres.
The park supports fishing, ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – sunset | — |
| Office | Daily | 8 a.m. – noon | — |
| Park | 2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday. | ||
Official wording
Park Grounds: 6 a.m. to sunset, year-round.
Park Office - Big Oak Tree: 8 a.m. to noon, Tuesday through Friday, year-round
2025-2026 State Holidays: On the following days (actual or observed), staff will not be available and park buildings will be closed: Thanksgiving Day; Nov. 28, 2025; Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; New Year’s Eve; New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Lincoln’s Birthday; and Washington's Birthday.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets welcome; leash no longer than 10 feet at all times; no more than two dogs per campsite recommended; pets not allowed in buildings (except Cabins for Canines units), public swimming areas or waters reserved for fishing.
Statewide rule from Missouri's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Fees apply to camping, lodging and some tours (e.g. cave tours).
Statewide fee rule from Missouri's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Missouri State Parks reservation system (UseDirect / Tyler, 'ICampMO')
- Phone
- 877-422-6766 (877-ICampMO)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
HikingPicnickingFishingRanger and interpretive programs
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boardwalk Trail | — | — | — |
| Bottomland Trail | — | — | — |
| Cypress Trail | — | — | — |
Trail descriptions from the park
Big Oak Tree State Park Trails
Boardwalk Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Bottomland Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Cypress Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Birding
Visitors of all abilities can enjoy birding along Boardwalk Trail. This trail has manageable surfaces, trail information and signage, rest areas, and many other ADA considerations.
To find additional locations that are accessible, visit Birdability to view their accessible birding trails maps.
Picnic Area
This area is located on your left just after the park sign. Large trees shade this area. A level, paved parking lot has one handicap space. Two paved picnic sites are located near the accessible playground and have extended-end tables and pedestal grills. A water fountain and bench are also located here for your convenience. An accessible vault toilet is provided nearby.
An accessible picnic shelter is available to reserve for group gatherings.
Boardwalk
A gravel lot has a paved apron with an accessible water fountain. Here, the boardwalk begins with an informational kiosk.
Overlook
An accessible ramp leads up to the park’s new overlook.
Trail
The trail is of dirt and in dry weather should be accessible to most visitors as it is quite level.
Big Oak Tree State Park
13640 S. Highway 102
East Prairie, MO 63845-8768
573-649-3149
1-800-334-6946
1-800-379-2419 TDD
Last updated: April 2021
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 13640 S. Highway 102
East Prairie, MO 63845-8768 - Nearest town
- Hickman — about 9 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.6465, -89.3025
- Phone
- (573) 649-3149
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Missouri State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Quick List of Parks and Historic Sites (HTML) + MoDNR ArcGIS boundary layer for coordinates
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology