7 Great National Parks in Missouri

Missouri has a wide selection of national parks and national monuments to give vacationers a wonderful experience! Check out the great national parks in Missouri!

The National Park Service handles six national park sites within Missouri along with six historic trails that go through the state.

National Parks in Missouri

Gateway Arch National Park

Located on St. Louis' Mississippi River riverfront, this national park has been established and preserved in remembrance of Jefferson, and others, who directed territorial advancement, symbolized by the world-famous St. Louis Gateway Arch. Known as "the gateway to the west," the site is situated where Interstate routes 44, 55, 64, and 70 converge.

Gateway Arch is 630-feet tall and is easily recognizable as a landmark of the United States.

The park's Gateway Arch is open daily, by guided tour, from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day (summer hours) and from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. the remainder of the year.

The park also includes the St. Louis Courthouse which was originally built in 1828. The courthouse is where the famous Dred Scott case was heard. The Dred Scott case dived into the legal status of enslaved people and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.

The park's Old Courthouse is open daily from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument is located in Diamond, Missouri, just 12 miles southeast of Joplin, Missouri. The park is open year-round and offers the opportunity to take a guided tour of the Carvers 1881 home.

This national park has been established and preserved in remembrance of George Washington Carver, a famous African American agronomist, educator, and humanitarian. George Washington Carver was born into slavery during the Civil War. He overcame countless obstacles to become a scientist.

He worked to help poor Southern farmers find alternative crops to cotton. He also worked at Tuskegee Institute to be an inspiration for African Americans to attain equal rights.

The park is open daily all year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., situated on approximately 210 acres.

Harry S Truman National Historic Site

This national park has been established and preserved in remembrance of the United States 33rd president, Harry S. Truman. Harry S. Truman National Historic Site is situated on seven acres and is located in Independence Mo., just east of Kansas City.

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away in1945 Harry S. Truman was thrust into power. The National Historic Site is at the home that President Truman lived in from 1919 until he passed away in 1972.

The visitor center is open daily from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Guided tours of the Truman Home are available between 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. The Truman home is closed on Mondays from Labor Day to Memorial Day (September through May).

The Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Mo. is open for tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tours are available from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The farm grounds are open daily (year-round) for self-guided tours.

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Lewis and Clark NHT is approximately 4,900 miles long crosses sixteen states following the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Lewis and Clark expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark officially started in May 1804 and ended in September 1806.

President Thomas Jefferson was determined to send an expedition to explore western North America and find a feasible water route to the Pacific Ocean.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways has been established as the first national park to protect a wild river system. Two of America's clearest spring-fed rivers make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers wind through a landscape of rugged hills and towering bluffs.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is open year-round and is located just northwest of Missouri's 'boot heel'. While there is no formal visitor center, the Alley Mill is open to provide information in the summer, and the park headquarters (in Van Buren) is open year-round, during business hours.

Hours are from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park

This is the 422 National Park Site that was established on October 30, 2020. Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park is located in Eastern Missouri south of St. Louis. The park is one of the newest National Park Service. The park was created to protect French colonial architecture and tell the story of early French settlement in North America.

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

Ulysses S. Grant NHS is located just southwest of St. Louis. The park is open year-round and offers the opportunity to take a tour of White Haven, Grant's home and see a museum dedicated to the president.

This national park has been established and preserved in remembrance of Ulysses S. Grant, known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. The park is located in St. Louis County and is situated on 10 acres.

The site includes five historic structures of Grant's home, known as "White Haven," including a two-story residence, a barn, and a stone building believed to have housed Grant's father-in-law's slaves. The park is open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Visits inside the main house begin at 9:30 a.m. and are offered every half hour. The last visit to the main house begins at 4 p.m.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Wilson's Creek NB s located in southwestern Missouri approximately 10 miles southwest of Springfield. The park is open year-round and offers the opportunity to take a driving tour of the battlefield.

This national park has been established and preserved in remembrance of the Civil War battle fought on August 10, 1861, which was the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi. The Confederate failure at Wilson's Creek resulted in keeping Missouri in the Union.

Major features include a five-mile automobile tour loop, the restored 1852 Ray House, and "Bloody Hill," the scene of the major battle. Situated on 1,750 acres, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is located three miles east of Republic and 10 miles southwest of Springfield, Mo.

Visitor center hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Please note: The Wilson's Creek Museum is closed during November, December, January, February, and March.

List of National Parks in Missouri

Missouri National Parks include National Monuments, National Historic Trails, and National Battlefields.

Gateway Arch National Park
George Washington Carver National Monument
Harry S Truman National Historic Site
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Affiliated Sites

- California National Historic Trail (CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OR, UT, WY)
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (ID, IL, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA)
- Oregon National Historic Trail (ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY)
- Pony Express National Historic Trail ( CA, CO, KS, MO, NE, NV, UT, WY)
- Sante Fe National Historic Trail (CO, KS, MO, NM, OK)
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN)

There are 7 National Parks in Missouri with over 2.8 million visitors producing over $196 million in economic benefits.

Missouri National Parks include 1 National Heritage Area, 3 National Trails managed by the park service, and over 2200 National Register of Historic Places Listings.

There are over 2.2 million objects in the Missouri National Park Museum Collection along with 545 Archaeological Sites!

If you have dreamed of working in the National Parks make sure and check out our article on How to Become a Park Ranger. Working in the parks is one of the most amazing jobs you can find. There is just something special about waking up and knowing you are going to work in a beautiful park.