State Parks Near Carthage, Missouri
11 state park units lie within 50 miles of Carthage, including 4 parks across the line in Oklahoma and Kansas. The closest is Battle of Carthage State Historic Site, about 2 mi northeast of town. 2 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Battle of Carthage State Historic Site2 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 2of 11 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 73 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 4pets allowed
State parks near Carthage, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Carthage; driving distance is usually longer.
Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site
Things to do include historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site →Prairie State Park
Things to do include ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Prairie State Park →Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, fishing, and wildlife watching. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park →Big Sugar Creek State Park
Things to do include ranger programs and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Big Sugar Creek State Park →Crawford State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites, biking, fishing, and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, and primitive or hike-in sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Crawford State Park →Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site
Popular activities here are historic sites, ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site →Stockton State Park
Visitors come for mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including tent sites. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Stockton State Park →Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park
The park supports winter sports, boating, swimming, fishing, and biking. Water access includes a swimming pool. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park →Roaring River State Park
Visitors come for fishing, ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are 3 camping areas (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites). Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Roaring River State Park →Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park
Visitors come for winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Carthage
- Prairie State Park 28 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park 34 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Crawford State Park 43 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Stockton State Park 45 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park 47 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Carthage
- Crawford State Park 43 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Stockton State Park 45 mi northeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Roaring River State Park 48 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Carthage
- Prairie State Park 28 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park 34 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Stockton State Park 45 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Roaring River State Park 48 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Carthage
- Stockton State Park 45 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park 47 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park 48 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Carthage
- Battle of Carthage State Historic Site 2 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Prairie State Park 28 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park 34 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Big Sugar Creek State Park 36 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Crawford State Park 43 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 4 more in the list above
Fishing near Carthage
- Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park 34 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Crawford State Park 43 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Stockton State Park 45 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park 47 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Roaring River State Park 48 mi southeast · Fishing listed
+ 1 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Carthage
What is the closest state park to Carthage?
Battle of Carthage State Historic Site is the closest, about 2 miles northeast of Carthage in a straight line. Next are Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site and Prairie State Park.
How many state parks are near Carthage?
11 state park units are within 50 miles, and 2 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Carthage have camping?
7 parks list camping, the nearest being Prairie State Park, Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park and Crawford State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Carthage?
Yes, at 4 parks, including Prairie State Park, Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park and Stockton 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 Carthage?
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 Joplin, MO11 mi southwest
- Near Neosho, MO21 mi south
- Near Monett, MO27 mi southeast
- Near Bella Vista, AR47 mi south
- Near Springfield, MO57 mi east
- Near Bolivar, MO59 mi northeast
- Near Ozark, MO62 mi east
- Near Siloam Springs, AR68 mi south
Or see all Missouri state parks, Oklahoma state parks, Kansas 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.