State Parks Near Cape Girardeau, Missouri
30 state park units lie within 50 miles of Cape Girardeau, including 24 parks across the line in Illinois and Kentucky. The closest is Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area, about 6 mi east of town. 7 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area6 mi east
- Within 25 miles
- 7of 30 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 132 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 3pets allowed
State parks near Cape Girardeau, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Cape Girardeau; driving distance is usually longer.
Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
Covering about 1,390 acres, Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area lies in Alexander County, about 6 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area →Devils Island Wildlife Management Area
Devils Island Wildlife Management Area is a park unit in Alexander County, about 7 miles east of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Devils Island Wildlife Management Area →Trail of Tears State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, swimming, boating, fishing, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Park →Union County SFWA
Union County SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Union County, about 12 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Union County SFWA →Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
Popular activities here are historic sites, ranger programs, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Bollinger Mill State Historic Site →Trail of Tears State Forest
Trail of Tears State Forest is a forest in Union County, about 16 miles northeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Trail of Tears State Forest →Horseshoe Lake Alexander County
Horseshoe Lake Alexander County is a state fish and wildlife area in Alexander County, about 17 miles southeast of Cape Girardeau.
Hours, fees and rules for Horseshoe Lake Alexander County →Giant City State Park
Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Giant City State Park →Fort Defiance State Park
Covering about 64 acres, Fort Defiance State Park lies in Alexander County, about 2 miles southeast of Cairo.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Defiance State Park →Little Grassy Fish Hatchery
Little Grassy Fish Hatchery is a 95-acre park unit in Williamson County, about 6 miles southeast of Carbondale.
Hours, fees and rules for Little Grassy Fish Hatchery →Lake Murphysboro State Park
Lake Murphysboro State Park is a 948-acre park in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of Murphysboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Murphysboro State Park →Kinkaid Lake SFWA
Kinkaid Lake SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Jackson County, about 3 miles west of Murphysboro.
Hours, fees and rules for Kinkaid Lake SFWA →Cache River State Natural Area
Covering about 14,999 acres, Cache River State Natural Area lies in Johnson County, about 6 miles southwest of Vienna.
Hours, fees and rules for Cache River State Natural Area →Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site
Things to do include historic sites, ranger programs, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site →Ferne Clyffe State Park
Covering about 2,572 acres, Ferne Clyffe State Park lies in Johnson County, in Goreville.
Hours, fees and rules for Ferne Clyffe State Park →Tunnel Hill State Trail
In Johnson County, in Vienna, Tunnel Hill State Trail covers about 917 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Tunnel Hill State Trail →Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
In Massac County, about 12 miles northwest of Metropolis, Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area covers about 2,153 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area →Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area
Covering about 202 acres, Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area lies in Randolph County, about 11 miles east of Chester.
Hours, fees and rules for Piney Creek Ravine State Natural Area →Turkey Bluffs
Turkey Bluffs is an idnr site (no designation in title) in Randolph County, about 5 miles southeast of Chester.
Hours, fees and rules for Turkey Bluffs →Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area
Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area is a recreation area in Jackson County, about 3 miles northeast of De Soto.
Hours, fees and rules for Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area →Sielbeck Forest SNA
Covering about 396 acres, Sielbeck Forest SNA lies in Massac County, about 10 miles northwest of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Sielbeck Forest SNA →Columbus-Belmont State Park
Popular activities here are golf, boating, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include 38 campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Columbus-Belmont State Park →Towosahgy State Historic Site
In Mississippi County, about 21 miles northwest of Union City, Towosahgy State Historic Site covers about 62 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Towosahgy State Historic Site →Randolph County State Recreation Area
In Randolph County, about 3 miles northeast of Chester, Randolph County State Recreation Area covers about 1,138 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Randolph County State Recreation Area →Big Oak Tree State Park
The park supports fishing, ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Oak Tree State Park →Fort Massac State Park
Fort Massac State Park is a 1,389-acre park in Massac County, in Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Massac State Park →Pyramid State Recreation Area
Covering about 18,936 acres, Pyramid State Recreation Area lies in Perry County, about 10 miles west of Du Quoin.
Hours, fees and rules for Pyramid State Recreation Area →Dixon Springs State Park
Dixon Springs State Park is a park in Pope County, about 16 miles north of Metropolis.
Hours, fees and rules for Dixon Springs State Park →Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site
Things to do include historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site →Lake Wappapello State Park
Visitors come for mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites). If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Wappapello State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Cape Girardeau
- Trail of Tears State Park 11 mi north · Campground listed
- Trail of Tears State Forest 16 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Horseshoe Lake Alexander County 17 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Giant City State Park 29 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Lake Murphysboro State Park 34 mi north · Campground listed
+ 8 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Cape Girardeau
- Giant City State Park 29 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Lake Wappapello State Park 50 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Cape Girardeau
- Trail of Tears State Park 11 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Columbus-Belmont State Park 45 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Lake Wappapello State Park 50 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Cape Girardeau
- Trail of Tears State Park 11 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Wappapello State Park 50 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Cape Girardeau
- Trail of Tears State Park 11 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site 35 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Columbus-Belmont State Park 45 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Big Oak Tree State Park 48 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Lake Wappapello State Park 50 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
Fishing near Cape Girardeau
- Trail of Tears State Park 11 mi north · Fishing listed
- Big Oak Tree State Park 48 mi south · Fishing listed
- Lake Wappapello State Park 50 mi southwest · Fishing listed
Questions about state parks near Cape Girardeau
What is the closest state park to Cape Girardeau?
Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area is the closest, about 6 miles east of Cape Girardeau in a straight line. Next are Devils Island Wildlife Management Area and Trail of Tears State Park.
How many state parks are near Cape Girardeau?
30 state park units are within 50 miles, and 7 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Cape Girardeau have camping?
13 parks list camping, the nearest being Trail of Tears State Park, Trail of Tears State Forest and Horseshoe Lake Alexander County. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Cape Girardeau?
Yes, at 3 parks, including Trail of Tears State Park, Columbus-Belmont State Park and Lake Wappapello State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Cape Girardeau?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Sikeston, MO29 mi south
- Near Carbondale, IL34 mi northeast
- Near Marion, IL45 mi northeast
- Near Paducah, KY53 mi east
- Near Farmington, MO58 mi northwest
- Near Poplar Bluff, MO60 mi southwest
- Near Martin, TN78 mi southeast
- Near Mount Vernon, IL78 mi northeast
Or see all Missouri state parks, Illinois state parks, Kentucky state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.