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Top 6 National Parks in Missouri

    Missouri is a beautiful state with many national parks.

    Missouri is a really fun state to explore. You can go hiking, biking, fishing or boating. The Ozarks are one of the best places for outdoor recreation in America! 

    Missouri is in the Midwestern region of the United States. It has six million residents and is 19th out of all the states. The largest cities are St Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield. Jefferson City is its capital and it contains 21 thousand square miles to explore!

    This is a land of natural beauty with over 100 lakes and the Mississippi River. There are also many national parks in the state. Some of them are perfect for people who like to explore caves, some for those who like hiking up mountains, and others for those looking at beautiful scenery.

    1. George Washington Carver National Monument

    George Washington Carver National Monument

    George Washington Carver National Monument is the only one like this in the Newton County, Missouri. Franklin Delano Roosevelt built it and he donated $30,000 to build it on July 14th, 1943. Four years later it was dedicated as a national monument.

    George Washington Carver was born into slavery. He did not start off with anything, but he worked hard and learned a lot. He was determined to keep learning and became one of the first great scientists in America.

    Pets: The George Washington Carver National Monument is dog-friendly. You can bring your pup with you into the visitor center and trails.

    Camping: If you want to camp, the George Washington Carver National Monument isn’t a good place for that. But don’t worry because there are other places in Joplin where you can camp.

    Tour: The George Washington Carver National Monument is a place for people to learn about George Washington Carver’s life. People can watch a short film, explore interactive exhibits in the museum and then go outside to hike one of their trails or join Junior Ranger programs where they will learn more about this national hero!

    Entrance Fee: George Washington Carver National Monument is a place of beauty. It is free for people to visit.

    2. Harry S Truman National Historic Site

    Harry S Truman National Historic Site

    The Truman House is a place that people visit when they come to Kansas City. Harry S. Truman lived there for many years and his wife died in the house in 1982.

    The house has things from President Truman’s life and other properties that he is associated with. For example, Independence Hall, Liberty Memorial Building, and more!

    Pets: There are many places in Harry S Truman State Park where people can bring their dogs. They may not go inside buildings, but they are allowed to go just about everywhere else.

    Camping: The Harry S Truman State Park has a lot of great things to enjoy! You can camp and use RV hookups. This is near the Missouri-Kansas border.

    Tour: Harry Truman State Park in Missouri is a great place to visit. You can see the Harry S Truman and Great War, you can go inside the president’s home, or you can check out one of many exhibits on display!

    Entrance Fee: Harry S Truman State Park is a place that is peaceful and simple. Adults have to pay $5 but children can go in for free.

    3. Gateway Arch National Park

     Gateway Arch National Park

    There’s a big, cool building in America called the Gateway Arch National Park. It has lots of old things that never could have been imagined..

    The park was built on land donated by people who wanted to keep it for future generations. There are two sections. One is called Old Courthouse Post Office Square Historic District and the other is Jefferson Expansion Memorial Building Complex with its crown jewel, which is Missouri’s tallest man-made structure, the arch itself!

    Pets: Gateway Arch Park welcomes pets to explore with them. Pets can enjoy the Riverfront Trail and take a boat ride.

    Camping: There are campsites near Gateway Arch National Park, though camping is not allowed. Visitors can still enjoy the outdoors by pitching their tent in one of these campsites and enjoying all that this beautiful national park has to offer.

    Tour: Gateway Arch National Park is a great place for exploring and learning about America’s rich history. You can explore the monument, view one of America’s most famous landmarks from atop it, and even climb to its peak on a tram ride that takes you 315 feet in less than four minutes! Explore the museum under Gateway Arch and have fun with the Junior Ranger Program. You can earn badges by completing activities like making your own license plate out of recycled materials.

    Entrance Fee: Visitors to Gateway Arch National Park must be 16 or older. If they are 15 or younger, then they will have to pay a $3.00 fee. They can visit on special days throughout the year for free though.

    4. Ozark National Scenic Riverways

     Ozark National Scenic Riverways

    We were given the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. People want to go there because it is in the area where they live, and also because it has natural beauty. It was created by Congress to protect and preserve natural beauty and culture. They dedicated it on December 14th of 1971 after being authorized two years ago.

    This part of our country is protected from development. There are many wild rivers and wilderness areas where people can’t drive cars or boats. A place where people can take a break from their busy lives has been recognized by both the United States and other countries. It is important for the place to be preserved so that people can enjoy it without harming it too much.

    Pets: Pets must be on a leash. Fishing is not allowed in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways if you are within 50 feet of any Spring Branch for more than 15 minutes.

    Camping: Camping in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a great idea. You can camp anywhere if you are not within 1/2 mile of any campsite.

    Tour: The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a good place to go if you like nature and being outside. You can rent a canoe and paddle along the river, or enjoy ranger programs to learn about animals. There are also campsites where you can set up your tent, or go fishing in the nearby river.

    Entrance Fee: To get into Ozark National Scenic Riverways, it costs $5.00 per adult. Children 12 and under are free with a ticket of $2.00 each. People who have America the Beautiful Senior or Access Passes can get in for only $2.50!

    5. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

    Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

    The 9.65-acre Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is in Missouri and is 10 miles from downtown St Louis. The site celebrates the life, military career, and Presidency of Ulysses S Grant with a view from his home White Haven at its center.

    There are more than 5 buildings on this site. One of them is a kitchen that was used to house slaves before the civil war in Tennessee. And one was used to store goods after they had been transported here by the Mississippi River and brought across it so they could trade them further west along waterways like the Ohio river.

    Pets: The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is a park where you can bring your pet with you. You can even bring your pet inside the historic house!

    Camping: The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site has camping sites for people who want to camp near the park but don’t have their own place or gear.

    Tour: Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is a park with all the history and activities of White Haven to explore. You can watch an orientation film or visit the museum and take a guided tour through this historic site’s home.

    Entrance Fee: You can go to Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site for free! It is open to the public and has many attractions. Civil War reenactments are one of them.

    6. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

    Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

    In the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River, many people died. It has become a very important part of Missouri’s history.

    This monument is located near Republic. It helps us to remember the past and what it was like then. But it also tells us about how different this place used to be from now.

    Pets: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is a good place to take your dog. You can let them go all over the grounds, but they cannot go in any buildings.

    Camping: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is a place of calm beauty. While there isn’t any camping available, the park has many campgrounds with proximity to Springfield and its charming city life.

    Tour: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is a place where people can go and learn about history. There are many different tours that they can do here. Some people might want the Self-Guided Driving tour or the Walking tours, and some people might want to explore The Ray House and visit Living History programs with General Lyon.

    Entrance Fee: Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is a place for families to visit. It costs $10 and parents can enjoy the sights and sounds of this historical battlefield while their children play in the field or watch an interpretation video on one of the many screens available at each entrance.

    There are many National Parks in Missouri. They offer a chance to explore the great outdoors and enjoy nature.

    There are lots of places to visit in our national parks. They have hiking trails or scenic views. You should go to one of these places today and have a good time!