This 1,875-acre park features prehistoric petroglyphs, rock carvings, from the Mississippian Native American culture that inhabited the area around 1,000 years ago. The park is noted for many stone structures that were built by the CCC during the depression and for the natural beauty of the eastern Ozarks and features swimming, fishing, camping, rental cabins, and hiking trails.
Read moreSandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
Sandy Creek Bridge is one of only four covered bridges remaining in Missouri. The bridge was restored to its original appearance in 1984 and the site features 205 acres of natural lands, an interpretive kiosk, and picnic facilities.
Read moreMastodon State Historic Site
The 425-acre Mastodon State Historic Site preserves the Kimmswick Bone Bed, an important paleontological and archaeological site. A museum tells the natural and cultural story man's interaction with prehistoric megamammals. The park is the oldest Native American Indian site one can visit in the Missouri State Park system.
Read moreWhite Rock Nature Preserve
White Rock Nature Preserve is home to 306 acres of Illinois' natural habitat. The tract is located within the Hill Prairie Corridor, a 25-mile stretch of ribbons and patches of hill prairie perched on top of the Mississippi River bluffs. White Rock Nature Preserve hosts several rare habitats including loess hill prairie, limestone glades and upland forest.
Read moreKidd Lake State Natural Area
Kidd Lake State Natural Area is an example of the once expansive wetlands of the Mississippi floodplain known as the American Bottom. Kidd Lake State Natural Area is a primitive area primarily devoted as a home to wildlife. There are no man-made improvements to provide visitors easy access to the area such as trails, parking lots, etc.
Read moreFults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve
Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve sits atop bluffs with an expansive views of the Mississippi River valley. The preserve features upland habitat that includes woodland, prairie and glade communities and has the largest complex of high-quality loess hill prairies in Illinois. The area contains the Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve Trail, a 1.4 mile loop trail.
Read moreTurkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area
Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area is a 2,264 acre natural area located south of Chester. The site offers a picnic area and features scenic overlooks. Visitors can hike, observe wildlife and take advantage of 10 miles of horseback trails. Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area is open for fishing and hunting.
Read moreRandolph County Conservation Area
The Randolph County Conservation Area is located 5 miles northeast of Chester in the rolling hill country of southern Illinois this 1,101-acre area has a 65-acre lake and offers fishing and hunting opportunities, picnicking, and hiking trails through scenic forest stands.
Read moreKaskaskia River Recreation Area
Kaskaskia River Recreation Area is located at the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. The area offers picnicking, hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. The site is the location of the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam which has a small visitors center and the staff offers tours of the lock and dam.
Read moreBaldwin Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
Baldwin Lake is a 2,018-acre power plant water-cooling lake that features excellent fishing and wildlife viewing. The site also features picnicking and primitive camping.
Read morePickle Springs Natural Area
Pickle Springs Natural Area is a deep, forested gorge consisting of geological formations and plants that are found in few other places. Pickle Springs Natural Area features a 2-mile hiking trail maintained by the East Ozark Audubon Society in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation takes hikers past waterfalls, rock shelters, a double arch, towering bluffs, and canyons.
Read moreMagnolia Hollow Conservation Area
Located 10 miles north of Sainte Genevieve, this 1,740-acre area features steep bluffs and scenic river views. Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area provides good woodland game hunting, fishing, a clay pigeon target range, and 2 hiking trails. Dispersed primitive camping is permitted year round.
Read moreHawn State Park
With pine and oak forests, sandstone bluffs and canyons, and clear sand-bottom streams, this nearly 5,000 acre park is considered on of the most scenic in Missouri. The park has many nature trails, picnic areas, and a campground for those who wish to get out and enjoy nature.
Read more