Thousand Hills State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Apr 1 – Oct 31)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions10-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- mostateparks.com(660) 665-6995
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 3,003 acres, Thousand Hills State Park lies in Adair County, about 4 miles west of Kirksville.
Visitors come for mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use | Daily | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. | Apr 1 – Oct 31 |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – sunset | Nov 1 – Mar 31 | |
| Office | Park Office - Thousand Hills: The office telephone is monitored for messages between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., daily, year-round. Please note there may be times when the office is closed while staff are working in the park. | ||
Official wording
Day-Use Areas: The day-use area gates close at these times. April through October (On-Season): 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily November through March (Off-Season): 7 a.m. to sunset, daily
Park Office - Thousand Hills: The office telephone is monitored for messages between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., daily, year-round. Please note there may be times when the office is closed while staff are working in the park.
Usually available in park daily, November through March (Off-Season): Usually available in park Monday through Friday
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).
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.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions · leash up to 10 feet
Not allowed in or on: any building that is not part of the cabins for canines program.
We recommend no more than two dogs per campsite. Pets must be supervised and kept on leashes no longer than 10 feet at all times. Pet waste bags are available in most locations. Other than service animals, pets are not allowed inside any building that is not part of the Cabins for Canines program, or in public swimming areas or waters reserved for fishing.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campground 1 Season: Apr 1-Oct 31 Reservations: Apr 1-Oct 31 | — | Basic, Electric*, FamilyShowers | — |
| Campground 2 Season: Year-round Reservations: Year-round | — | ElectricShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Thousand Hills State Park has two campgrounds offering basic and electric campsites. For a little extra space, try one of the park's family campsites located in Campground 1. The park also has a special-use camping area.
The park store offers supplies for your camping stay.
Printable campground maps are available for your reference by clicking the "Map" links.
Individual Campground Information
CampgroundAvailable DatesShowers/Water AvailableReservationsTypes of Sites
Campground 1 (Map)
Apr 1-Oct 31Apr 1-Oct 31Apr 1-Oct 31Basic, Electric*, Family
Campground 2 (Map)
Year-roundApr 1-Oct 31Year-roundElectric
- Campground 1 is closed in the off-season (November through March).
- During the off-season (November through March), potable water is available at Campground 2.
- Firewood is sold during the on-season only, at the marina.
- Parking of watercraft or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trailers off of the campsite pad (usually in the grass) is permitted at this facility.
Other Types of Camping Areas Available in the Park:
Special-use camping area
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Duplex/four-plex units: 14 units
Stay in one of the seven duplex cabins overlooking Forest Lake at Thousand Hills State Park. All cabins are air-conditioned/heated. Linens and towels are provided. Each unit has a bath with shower, patio, picnic table, barbecue grill and color TV. Kitchen amenities include table service, apartment size stove, refrigerator and microwave.
No tents or camping on cabin grounds is allowed.
Smoking is not allowed inside any lodging unit. Dogs are allowed in a limited number of the cabins for an additional fee. Click on the Cabins for Canines link to the right for more information.
To inquire about availability or make a reservation, please visit the website for online reservations or call 660-202-8257.
For temporary closures related to weather, stewardship activities and maintenance, as well as temporary trail closures, visit our Park and Site Status Map.
Things to do
CampingHikingFishingBoatingSwimmingBikingMountain bikingCanoeing and kayakingRanger and interpretive programsPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolyn Bagley Harding Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-carolyn-bagley-harding-trail |
| Oak Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-oak-trail-thousand-hills |
| Red Bud Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-red-bud-trail-thousand-hills |
| Thousand Hills Trail | — | — | Trail information: https://mostateparks.com/media/pdf/trail-details-thousand-hills-trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
Carolyn Bagley Harding TrailOak TrailRed Bud TrailThousand Hills Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Fishing
Commonly caught fish: bluegill, crappie, walleye
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Restaurant or food service
Water
- Swimming beach
- Marina or boat slips
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ 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 Carolyn Bagley Harding 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.
Park Office
The park office is located at the intersection of Highway 157 and Big Loop Trail Road. A parking space is signed and striped. There is a gradual ramp up to the office building entrance. The office is spacious with a brochure rack within easy reach. An information boards is located outside for your convenience when the office is closed.
Dining Lodge
One parking space is signed adjacent to the entrance pathway; however, the space has a 3.3% cross slope and a 4.7% running slope. At the other end of the Lodge, two level spaces are signed and have a short 5% slope to the entrance pathway. The entrance has power-assisted doors that lead into a spacious lobby. Plenty of maneuvering room allows for a choice of seating with views of the lake.
Read more from the park
The restrooms have side-transfer toilets, accessible lavatories and electric hand dryers.
Marina Store
Paved, level parking provides two accessible spaces, and power-operated doors allow easy entry into this convenience store. Marina rentals and bait sales are handled by the friendly staff and all your fishing and camping needs may be found in the spacious store aisles. Employees will assist with any items beyond reach.
The restrooms have front-transfer toilets, accessible lavatories and electric hand dryers.
Marina
The boat docks have up to 6-inch steps where they connect to each other. The boat launch is a three-lane paved ramp with an average 5% slope. Staging is done on the level lot, with a paved access loop to the launch.
Fish Cleaning Station
An accessible fish cleaning station is located across the parking lot from the marina store. Parking, although unmarked, is level. The faucets may be a bit far to reach for some users.
Cabins
Cabin Unit B
This cabin offers level parking with a patio that provides an extended-end table and pedestal grill. Inside are remote control air conditioners, an extended-end table, wide doorways and lowered closet rods. The bath has a side-transfer toilet, an accessible lavatory and grab-bars for the tub/shower. A shower seat is included. The shower has an adjustable-height head.
Cabin Units A/C/D have enlarged patios and spacious interiors. The restrooms are smaller with no grab-bars for the toilet.
Picnic Areas
The first picnic area on the ‘Big Loop’ offers two accessible parking spaces with a pathway leading past an information board and water fountain to three accessible picnic sites and a playground. This shady area provides plenty of seating and has an accessible vault toilet located conveniently nearby.
Enclosed Shelter #1
- The shelter has mostly level, paved parking for easy access. Space allows for 75 people and provides lights, electricity, a kitchen and accessible restroom. Two group grills are located outside under shelter.
Shelters #2 and #3
- While having mostly level, paved parking, these shelters have not been modified for accessibility. They have seating for 36 and provide a group grill and water fountain.
Shelter #4 ‘The Point Shelter’
- This shelter has one signed parking space adjacent to an accessible restroom and a pathway linking amenities. The shelter may also be reached by railed steps. Seating can accommodate 69 people, but tables are not accessible for wheelchairs. Two group grills, electrical outlets and lights are provided. A playground is located nearby and has a signed parking space and pathway. An accessible vault toilet is available for off-season use.
Fishing Dock
An accessible fishing dock is located between the second and third picnic shelters. Signed parking and a paved path are provided. The dock is covered for shade.
Campground
Campground #1
- This wooded campground offers one basic and two electric accessible sites, which include a paved pad, extended-end table, pedestal grill, fire ring and lantern post.
- Showerhouse #1 has one striped parking space adjacent to an access aisle. Inside are side-transfer toilets, accessible lavatories, lowered mirrors, electric hand dryers and roll-in showers with lowered clotheshooks. Electric outlets are within easy reach. An accessible kiosk provides park information.
- The dump station and the sand-based playground have not been modified for access at this time.
- The amphitheater has paved parking; however, access is over natural turf. The structure has not been modified.
Campground #2
- This campground has had no modifications, save for an accessible vault toilet and water hydrant. The dump station is more accessible than in Campground #1.
Beach
The parking is mostly level and paved; however, the path to the change house has a 7.7% slope. From there, a series of railed steps lead to the sand beach. The change house has a water fountain in the common area. The restrooms have side-transfer toilets, lowered coat hooks, accessible lavatories and electric hand dryers. Large change rooms are provided.
Beach Area Shelter House
- One accessible parking space allows easy entry into this shelter overlooking Forest Lake. Seating accommodates 48 people plus room at the table ends. An accessible water hydrant and a group grill are provided. A vault toilet, located in the beach parking lot, has been constructed to be accessible to all users.
Petroglyph Shelter
Level, paved parking is available with a signed space adjacent to the accessible vault toilet. An information kiosk contains park information and an introduction to the Petroglyphs. From this lot, a series of steps lead to the petroglyph shelter. Alternatively, an accessible paved path may be taken. The trailhead is located at the end of Campground #2, where a parking space is marked. It is approximately 1/8-mile long.
Special-Use Area
Located along a ridge top, some of this area is level. Tables are provided on natural turf with gravel parking. The water fountain and portable toilet are not accessible. Some sites have fire rings and lantern posts.
Thousand Hills State Park
20431 State Highway 157
Kirksville, MO 63501-7069
660-665-6995
1-800-334-6946
1-800-379-2419 TDD
Last updated: May 2022
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 20431 State Highway 157
Kirksville, MO 63501-7069 - Nearest town
- Kirksville — about 4 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.1766, -92.6433
- Phone
- (660) 665-6995
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