Washington State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 7 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions10-ft leash
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- mostateparks.com(636) 586-5768
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Washington State Park is a 2,150-acre park in Washington County, about 8 miles southwest of De Soto.
Popular activities here are rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites. The park says there are no showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
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 | 7 a.m. – sunset | — |
| Office | Tue–Fri | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Apr 1 – Oct 31 |
| Sat–Mon | Closed | — | |
| Wed–Fri | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Nov 1 – Mar 31 | |
| Sat–Tue | Closed | — | |
| Visitor center — Interpretive Center | 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
Park Grounds: 7 a.m. to sunset, year-round. November through March: The roads to Shelter #1/CCC Ridge, the swimming pool, cabins and the Big River Day-Use Area (including Shelter #2/Big River Day-Use Area Shelter) are closed to vehicles. They are open to foot traffic.
Park Office - Washington, April through October: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday Closed Sunday, Monday and Saturday Please note there may be times when the office is closed while staff are working in the park. November through March: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Friday Closed Saturday through Tuesday Please note there may be times when the office is closed while staff are working in the park.
Interpretive Center: Sunrise to sunset, 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).
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 Season: Year-round Reservations: Year-round | — | Basic, Electric, Family Electric, Platform Tent*Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Washington State Park offers basic campsites, electric campsites, platform tent sites and a special-use camping area. For a little extra space, try the park's family campsite. A playground and an amphitheater with accessible seating are also located in the campground area.
During the on-season, bundled firewood, bagged ice and other convenience and souvenir items are available for purchase at the park store.
A printable campground map is available for your reference by clicking the "Campground Map" link.
Campground Information
Available DatesShowers/Water AvailableReservationsTypes of Sites
Campground Map
Year-round
Apr 1-Oct 31
Year-round
Basic, Electric,
Family Electric, Platform Tent*
For a $5 fee, non-campers may use a vacant electric campsite for the purpose of charging their electric vehicle for a period not to exceed one hour.
*For the platform tent sites, the tent is offered only during the on-season (April through October). NO TENT will be offered during the off-season.
- During the on-season (April through October), camp fee collection is handled with the campground hosts on site #1. During the off-season (November through March), camp fee collection is handled at the self-pay drop box in the breezeway of the showerhouse. Camp fee collection is also handled at the park office during office hours year-round.
- During the off-season (November through March), potable water, modern restrooms and showers are not available in the campground. Campers should plan to bring their own water during that time. A frost-free hydrant is located adjacent to Highway 104 just west of the Interpretive Center/Park Office near the north entrance of the park.
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
- Cabins: 11 units
Washington State Park offers one-, two- and three-bedroom housekeeping cabins. The cabins have kitchens, full baths, heating, and air-conditioning. The cabins are also equipped with bedding/linens, towels and kitchen utensils. Exterior amenities include outside grills, fire pits and picnic tables. The cabins are open April through October.
Infants and children count as occupants. Specific cabins are designated as Cabins for Canines. Tents or other alternate lodging accommodations are not allowed in the rental area. Smoking is not allowed inside any lodging unit.
The cabins, store, swimming pool, concession stand and watercraft rentals are operated by the park concession, BA Services Inc. To make a reservation or for more information about the concession facilities, visit their website or call 636-586-2995.
One Bedroom
Two Bedroom
Three Bedroom
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
HikingCanoeing and kayakingCampingSwimmingFishingBoatingRanger and interpretive programsPicnickingRock climbing
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 Steps Trail | — | — | — |
| Opossum Track Trail | — | — | — |
| Rockywood Trail | — | — | — |
Trail descriptions from the park
1,000 Steps TrailOpossum Track TrailRockywood Trail
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
- Trail Map
- Trail Information
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Restaurant or food service
- Showers: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ 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
Park Office
Parking for the office is located near the interpretive center and parallel to the sidewalk. The path is uneven flagstone and has a step. Being a historic structure built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the office has not been modified. Park information and assistance can also be found April through October at Thunderbird Lodge (operated by the park concessionaire) and in the campground with the campground host.
Interpretive Center/Small Petroglyph Site
Parallel parking is adjacent to a flagstone sidewalk. The entrance to the interpretive center has mostly level flagstone and a 34-inch-wide doorway. Floor level is 2 inches lower than the threshold. Inside, you’ll find a mostly level flagstone floor and interpretive exhibits. A flagstone path leads past the interpretive center to a petroglyph site. Here, a railed wooden observation deck is provided. An 8-inch step is encountered at the deck.
Read more from the park
Across the road from the interpretive center is a Korean War memorial, which has a paved pull-off area and is accessible to all visitors.
Picnic Areas
Two accessible picnic sites are provided. The first one is found at the swimming pool picnic area. It includes a signed parking space, a paved pathway, an extended-end table and a pedestal grill.
The second site is adjacent to the Thunderbird Lodge parking lot. Here you’ll find a shady site with a signed parking space, paved pathway, extended-end table and a pedestal grill.
CampgRound
- The wooded campground offers one basic and two electric accessible campsites, which provide a fire ring, an extended-end table, a lantern post and a pedestal grill. Accessible vault toilets and water hydrants are found in both loops.
- The main showerhouse has one accessible parking space located to the right as you pull in. A paved pathway leads to the entrances. Inside, you’ll find roll-in showers with grab bars and a seat and front-transfer toilets. The lavatories can be rolled under. Electric outlets may be difficult for some users to reach.
- The laundry has two sets of top-operated machines with long sorting tables provided. The average maneuvering width is 3 feet. The breezeway contains an information board.
- Near the main showerhouse is an accessible playground with a wood chip pathway.
- The amphitheater, located just down from the playground, has a paved pathway leading to a seating area with room for wheelchairs. Unmarked parking is along the road.
- The dump station has not been modified.
Special-Use Area
This area has a gravel parking lot and is mostly level to a slight slope of 3%. Tables and fire rings are provided on natural turf. The water fountain, hydrant and vault toilet are not modified for accessibility.
Thunderbird Lodge Store
This historic structure offers four accessible parking spaces with a paved path to the entrance. A spacious interior houses an accessible restroom and the park store, which is operated by the park concessionaire. Cabin, watercraft and swimming pool rentals, as well as limited park information, are available here.
Cabins
Cabin 10
This cabin has paved parking with a very slight slope and a pathway to the patio entrance. The patio offers an extended-end table and a pedestal grill. The door has a lever-style handle and opens into a large living area and accessible kitchen. Overhead cabinets may be out of reach for some users. Wide doorways open into bedrooms that provide lowered shelves and closet rods. The bath has an accessible lavatory with lowered mirror, lowered towel shelves, a side-transfer toilet and a tub/shower with grab bars and a removable shower seat. The showerhead is adjustable.
Big River Day-Use Area
The picnic sites have not been modified at this time. The vault toilets in this area are accessible. Access to the Big River is not ADA accessible at this location.
Big River Shelter House
The shelter has level, paved parking with one signed space. A paved pathway leads past an accessible water fountain to the entrance. This shelter provides an extended-end table, a group grill and seating for 96 people. An accessible playground is located nearby with a paved pathway and a seating area. Also, an additional signed parking space offers easy entry to the accessible vault toilet.
CCC Shelter House
This historic shelter has level, paved parking with a fine gravel and dirt path to the structure. Here, you’ll encounter a 12-inch step up into the flagstone-floored building. There have been no modifications done to this structure. Seating accommodates 84 people and includes a group grill and a fireplace. The vault toilet is not accessible.
Swimming Pool
Level, paved parking is provided with a wide pathway to the change house. Wide hallways allow easy access to the pool deck and change rooms. Side-transfer toilets, lowered mirrors and clothes hooks, accessible lavatories and roll-in showers are provided. An accessible water fountain is available in the breezeway. A shaded deck area is located near the concession area. Accessible seating is available. The pool is accessible via a paved ramp with a downward slope of approximately 10%. The concession stand has not been modified.
Nearby, a picnic area provides two signed spaces with an accessible picnic site. The playground and water fountain have not been modified. Restrooms are located near the playground and have a roll-under lavatory and a side-transfer toilet.
Petroglyph Interpretive Shelter
Plenty of level, unmarked parking is available. A level pathway leads through the information kiosk and under the shelter, which provides overhanging interpretive panels.
Big River Valley Gazebo Overlook
This area offers level parking but otherwise is not modified.
Boat Launch
The boat launch, maintained jointly with the Department of Conservation, has an ADA accessible pad that allows wheelchairs direct access to a boat preparing to launch.
Trails
Due to topography, trails have not been modified.
Washington State Park
13041 State Highway 104
De Soto, MO 63020-7000
636-586-5768
1-800-334-6946
1-800-379-2419 TDD
Last updated: June 2025
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 13041 State Highway 104
De Soto, MO 63020-7000 - Nearest town
- De Soto — about 8 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.0848, -90.6924
- Phone
- (636) 586-5768
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