State Parks Near St. Louis, Missouri
27 state park units lie within 50 miles of St. Louis, including 12 parks across the line in Illinois. The closest is Scott Joplin House State Historic Site, about 2 mi east of town. 9 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Scott Joplin House State Historic Site2 mi east
- Within 25 miles
- 9of 27 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 103 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 7pets allowed
State parks near St. Louis, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central St. Louis; driving distance is usually longer.
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 →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) →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 →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 →Castlewood State Park
The park supports mountain biking, horseback riding, biking, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Castlewood State Park →Mastodon State Historic Site
Popular activities here are ranger programs, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Mastodon State Historic Site →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 →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 →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 →Mississippi River SFWA
Mississippi River SFWA is a state fish and wildlife area in Jersey County, about 12 miles north of St. Charles.
Hours, fees and rules for Mississippi River SFWA →Pere Marquette State Park
Its trail network totals roughly 12 miles, according to the park. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Pere Marquette State Park →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →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 →Ray Norbut
Ray Norbut is a state fish and wildlife area about 16 miles northeast of Troy.
Hours, fees and rules for Ray Norbut →Beaver Dam State Park
The official site lists about 8 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Beaver Dam State Park →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 →Cuivre River State Park
The park supports horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Cuivre River 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 →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 →Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Its trail network totals roughly 9 miles, according to the park. There are also lodge rooms for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area →
Best picks by activity
Camping near St. Louis
- Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County) 11 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park 24 mi west · Campground listed
- Pere Marquette State Park 28 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Don Robinson State Park 29 mi southwest · Campground listed
- Robertsville State Park 34 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near St. Louis
- Pere Marquette State Park 28 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Washington State Park 45 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area 50 mi east · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near St. Louis
- Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park 24 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Pere Marquette State Park 28 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area 33 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
- Robertsville State Park 34 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Washington State Park 45 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 2 more in the list above
Swimming near St. Louis
- Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site 29 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Washington State Park 45 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Cuivre River State Park 46 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- St. Francois State Park 48 mi south · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near St. Louis
- Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park 15 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site 16 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Castlewood State Park 17 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Mastodon State Historic Site 20 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
- Route 66 State Park 21 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Fishing near St. Louis
- Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park 15 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Castlewood State Park 17 mi west · Fishing listed
- Route 66 State Park 21 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Robertsville State Park 34 mi southwest · Fishing listed
- Washington State Park 45 mi southwest · Fishing listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near St. Louis
What is the closest state park to St. Louis?
Scott Joplin House State Historic Site is the closest, about 2 miles east of St. Louis in a straight line. Next are Frank Holten State Park and Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County).
How many state parks are near St. Louis?
27 state park units are within 50 miles, and 9 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near St. Louis have camping?
10 parks list camping, the nearest being Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County), Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park and Pere Marquette State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near St. Louis?
Yes, at 7 parks, including Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Pere Marquette State Park and Fults Hill Prairie State Natural Area. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near St. Louis?
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, MO16 mi southwest
- Near Belleville, IL16 mi southeast
- Near Edwardsville, IL17 mi northeast
- Near St. Charles, MO18 mi northwest
- Near Wildwood, MO23 mi west
- Near O'Fallon, MO28 mi west
- Near Festus, MO30 mi south
- Near Highland, IL32 mi east
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.