Travel

When autumn leaves start to fall, there's no better place to be than a spring. Missouri is home to more than 2,000 springs, which pump fresh water into our state's rivers and provide a beautiful backdrop for cool-weather hikes and canoe outings.

From the motocross course to the mountain bike trails to the swimming beach to the campgrounds, there's a little something for everyone at Finger Lakes State Park. Once a coal mine, it's now one of Boone County's most popular spots for recreation.

At Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site in New Madrid, visitors can explore a grand Southern mansion while learning about the families who shaped the development of Missouri's southeastern lowlands for a century and a half. 

Many of Missouri's smaller lakes rival the pleasures of our bigger, better-known lakes. Whether you favor a city setting or a country escape, you're sure to find something that strikes your fancy. These are just a few standouts.

Boasting six lakes, Missouri's largest natural sand beach, a rare sand prairie, and a series of hiking and biking trails, Wakonda State Park is a popular attraction for boating enthusiasts, birders, campers, and other nature lovers.

You don't have to travel far to indulge in a luxury cruise. These companies are ready to whisk you away for an afternoon or evening of fun. Order a drink and take in the scenery from one of these beautiful riverboats, catamarans, or yachts.

Years after catastrophe forced an entire town to evacuate, the area has been cleaned up and rebuilt as Route 66 State Park. For St. Louis County residents, it's a popular place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature.

Pack some snacks and get everyone buckled in. This family-friendly excursion stretches from Hannibal to the Bootheel with five fun stops along the way. From wild animals to geological wonders to beloved literary figures, this trip has it all.

The road is an endless source of wonder. Follow the path of this early highway for an adventure that will take you through historic homes, a depot museum, a Main Street district, and an unusual museum dedicated to small electrical appliances. 

Once the personal retreat of an unconventional entrepreneur, Don Robinson State Park—one of the newest in Missouri's state park system—offers a unique geological diversity and is home to an array of rare and unusual plants.