Rock Island Trail State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – 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) 489-8780
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 172 acres, Rock Island Trail State Park lies in Cole County, about 18 miles southwest of Jefferson City.
Things to do include mountain biking, horseback riding, biking, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 47.5 miles, according to the park.
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 | sunrise – sunset | — |
| 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
Developed Section (Pleasant Hill to Windsor) Sunrise to sunset
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
BikingMountain bikingHikingHorseback riding
Trails
Anyone eager to explore the state’s natural beauty on foot can rough it as much or as little as they like. More than a century after John Muir wrote of his urge to “throw a loaf of bread and a pound of tea in an old sack and jump over the back fence,” the need to get outside can be satisfied with more than 1,000 miles of trail in Missouri state parks. These trails wind through rolling prairie grass and densely wooded forests. Some end at a campground, others atop craggy Ozark peaks. But whether you're seeking a break from the heat in a cool forest or looking to add a few more species to your bird-watching resume, Missouri’s state parks offer unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.
Read more from the park
You might spend an afternoon winding your way through the state’s largest tallgrass prairie at Prairie State Park in southwest Missouri. While at the park, you may see an American bison or add some new birds to your list by spotting an eastern meadowlark, dickcissel or Bell’s vireo.
At Cuivre River State Park in northeast Missouri, a more rugged experience awaits. Backpackers will find miles of trails curving through tall prairie grasses, woodlands and Big Sugar Creek – one of the finest undisturbed streams in the area. Offering more than 6,000 acres of camping, fishing and trails, Cuivre River State Park is perfect for hikers looking to devote a few days to exploring Missouri’s natural treasures.
Scour Trail at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park gives visitors a chance to hike through 1.4 billion years of geologic history.
Whether you’re after a total escape from civilization or a gentle day hike, Missouri state parks has something for every hiker.
Trail maps for every trail in Missouri State Parks are available by accessing the hiking symbols on each facility’s page or by clicking on the "Park Trails" link in the Park File on the brown bar on the right side of the facility’s page. For more information on trails in Missouri State Parks, please access our interactive trail map by clicking the icon below.
Amenities
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ 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.
Getting there
- Address
- Union to Pleasant Hill
MO - Nearest town
- Jefferson City — about 18 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.4310, -92.4527
- Phone
- (573) 489-8780
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
“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