State Parks Near Festus, Missouri
33 state park units lie within 50 miles of Festus, including 10 parks across the line in Illinois. The closest is Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site, about 5 mi northeast of town. 11 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site5 mi northeast
- Within 25 miles
- 11of 33 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 122 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 10pets allowed
State parks near Festus, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Festus; driving distance is usually longer.
Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site
Covering about 1 acres, Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site lies in Jefferson County, in Pevely.
Hours, fees and rules for Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site →Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Popular activities here are swimming, ranger programs, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site →Mastodon State Historic Site
Popular activities here are ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Mastodon State Historic Site →Kidd Lake State Natural Area
Kidd Lake State Natural Area is a natural area in Monroe County, about 12 miles southeast of Festus.
Hours, fees and rules for Kidd Lake State Natural Area →Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area
In Monroe County, about 13 miles south of Waterloo, Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area covers about 810 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area →Illinois Caverns State Natural Area
Illinois Caverns State Natural Area is a natural area in Monroe County, about 8 miles south of Waterloo.
Hours, fees and rules for Illinois Caverns State Natural Area →Washington State Park
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, fees and rules for Washington State Park →St. Francois State Park
Visitors come for rock climbing, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and ranger programs. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including RV sites with full hookups and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for St. Francois State Park →Don Robinson State Park
Things to do include hiking and picnicking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Don Robinson State Park →Route 66 State Park
Things to do include mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, biking, and fishing.
Hours, fees and rules for Route 66 State Park →Castlewood State Park
The park supports mountain biking, horseback riding, biking, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Castlewood State Park →Felix Vallé House State Historic Site
The park supports historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Felix Vallé House State Historic Site →Robertsville State Park
Visitors come for boating, fishing, ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Robertsville State Park →Missouri Mines State Historic Site
Visitors come for historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Missouri Mines State Historic Site →St. Joe State Park
Things to do include mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Camping is available: 2 camping areas, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for St. Joe State Park →Hawn State Park
Popular activities here are ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are 3 camping areas (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Hawn State Park →Scott Joplin House State Historic Site
Popular activities here are historic sites and ranger programs.
Hours, fees and rules for Scott Joplin House State Historic Site →Frank Holten State Park
In St. Clair County, about 2 miles southeast of East St. Louis, Frank Holten State Park covers about 1,047 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Frank Holten State Park →Peabody River King
Peabody River King is a state fish and wildlife area in St. Clair County, in New Athens.
Hours, fees and rules for Peabody River King →Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
Popular activities here are mountain biking, horseback riding, biking, ranger programs, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park →World Shooting and Recreational Complex
World Shooting and Recreational Complex is a park unit in Randolph County, about 4 miles north of Sparta.
Hours, fees and rules for World Shooting and Recreational Complex →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 →Meramec State Park
Popular activities here are cave tours, rock climbing, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Its trail network totals roughly 13 miles, according to the park. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Meramec State Park →Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County)
Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County) is a park in Madison County, in Pontoon Beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County) →First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site
Popular activities here are mountain biking, historic sites, ranger programs, biking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site →Elephant Rocks State Park
Popular activities here are rock climbing, fishing, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Elephant Rocks State Park →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 →Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site
The park supports historic sites, ranger programs, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site →Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park
The park supports fishing and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park →Onondaga Cave State Park
Visitors come for cave tours, mountain biking, historic sites, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Onondaga Cave State Park →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 →Jay Nixon Backcountry
Jay Nixon Backcountry is a 1,236-acre state park in Reynolds County, about 8 miles west of Ironton.
Hours, fees and rules for Jay Nixon Backcountry →Taum Sauk Mountain State Park
Things to do include hiking and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Taum Sauk Mountain State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Festus
- Washington State Park 18 mi southwest · Campground listed
- St. Francois State Park 18 mi south · Campground listed
- Don Robinson State Park 20 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Robertsville State Park 26 mi northwest · Campground listed
- St. Joe State Park 29 mi south · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Festus
- Washington State Park 18 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Meramec State Park 38 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Festus
- Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area 13 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Washington State Park 18 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- St. Francois State Park 18 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Robertsville State Park 26 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- St. Joe State Park 29 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 5 more in the list above
Swimming near Festus
- Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site 8 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Washington State Park 18 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- St. Francois State Park 18 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- St. Joe State Park 29 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
- Meramec State Park 38 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 1 more in the list above
Hiking near Festus
- Mastodon State Historic Site 11 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Washington State Park 18 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- St. Francois State Park 18 mi south · Hiking trails listed
- Don Robinson State Park 20 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Route 66 State Park 23 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 12 more in the list above
Fishing near Festus
- Washington State Park 18 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- St. Francois State Park 18 mi south · Fishing listed
- Route 66 State Park 23 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Castlewood State Park 24 mi north · Fishing listed
- Robertsville State Park 26 mi northwest · Fishing listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Festus
What is the closest state park to Festus?
Gov. Daniel Dunklin's Grave State Historic Site is the closest, about 5 miles northeast of Festus in a straight line. Next are Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site and Mastodon State Historic Site.
How many state parks are near Festus?
33 state park units are within 50 miles, and 11 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Festus have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Washington State Park, St. Francois State Park and Don Robinson State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Festus?
Yes, at 10 parks, including Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area, Washington State Park and St. Francois 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 Festus?
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 Arnold, MO14 mi north
- Near Wildwood, MO28 mi northwest
- Near St. Louis, MO30 mi north
- Near Farmington, MO30 mi south
- Near Belleville, IL31 mi northeast
- Near Washington, MO40 mi northwest
- Near St. Charles, MO40 mi north
- Near O'Fallon, MO43 mi northwest
Or see all Missouri state parks, Illinois 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.