7 Great National Parks in Missouri to Visit with Kids

National Parks are an amazing way to learn about the history of a specific state or area, while also spending time in nature with your family. There are 7 national parks in Missouri that would make a perfect place to visit with kids.

Missouri National Parks

There are lots of famous national parks that you may be familiar with when learning about the national parks. Yet there are many more in each state all over the country.

Missouri is full of rolling hills, prairies, scenic hiking trails, winding water ways and caves. It is nicknamed as The Cave State, The Show-Me State, and the Mother of the West.

The Mississippi River and the Missouri River flow through the state which was used as a pathway for transportation of goods. Because of this, Missouri is home to may historical sites and events that have led to them being preserved as National Parks. 

7 Great National Parks in Missouri to Visit with Kids

January 4th is National Missouri Day. If you plan to do a unit study on Missouri in honor of the day, consider adding a field trip to one or more of the 7 national parks in Missouri to bring history to life. Here’s a summary of each park to help you pick which ones to visit: 

Scroll down to the bottom of this post to grab our field trip journal pack for an easy way for your kids to record details of their visit.

 

1. Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park is located in an urban district of downtown St. Louis, Missouri. It is formally known as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. This park features the tallest landmark structure in St. Louis: the Gateway Arch. This is also where Missouri gets the nickname of the Mother of the West, or the Gateway to the West. 

This park is a memorial to 3 historical events:  

• The Louisiana Purchase that led to several exploration expeditions of the Americas, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
• The first civil government with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
• The debate over slavery that was raised by the Dred Scott case in the old courthouse that is on site.

History of the Park

The park was founded by the National Park Service in 1935. Formerly known as Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, it did not become an official National Park until 2018. 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the property to the memorial. At the same time, the City of St. Louis deeded the Old Courthouse to the National Park Service.

In 1948, a nationwide design competition was held to decide what the Memorial would look like. In 1963, the construction began on the stainless steel arch and was completed in 1965.

Things to Do

You can’t miss the giant steel arch that stands over 630 feet tall. Take a tram ride to the top of the arch to see the views of the city from an observation room. Visit the museum and the old courthouse to learn about the history of the events that shaped the area. 

There are guided tours, and self guided tours that your family can take of the area. There are many places to rest and have lunch overlooking the Mississippi River.

2. George Washington Carver National Monument

The George Washington Carver National Monument is located in Diamond, Missouri, just outside of Joplin, Missouri. The Monument was created to commemorate the life of George Washington Carver, known as the peanut man.

Born into slavery during the civil war,  George Washington Carver was a famous scientist and educator. He worked to help the poor Southern farmers find alternative crops to growing cotton. 

History of the Park

The park sits on a 240 acre farm that was the land of Moses Carver. It is the birthplace and childhood home of George Washington Carver. In 1943, Congress directed the National Park Service to maintain and preserve the land as a public memorial. 

This was the first time a birthplace site was considered a national monument to a person that wasn’t a president. It was also the first national park area to honor the contributions of an African American.

In 1953, the monument was officially dedicated with a visitor center, museum and public restrooms. In 2007, a newly remodeled visitor center was completed. It now houses a museum, theater, interactive exhibits, classrooms and even a tornado shelter. 

Things to Do

Take a walk on the one mile trail where you will pass by statues and the Moses Carver house. There are also family graves alongside the trail. To learn more about the history, your family may enjoy a guided park ranger tour of the trail where you can learn so much history. 

Make sure to visit the interactive exhibits, and the museum to learn about the life of George Washington Carver and about growing peanuts.

3. Harry S Truman National Historic Site

The Harry S Truman National Historic Site is the home of Harry Truman where he grew up in Independence, Missouri just outside of Kansas City. Harry Truman was America’s 33rd president upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945.

The National Historic Site also includes the Wallace Homes, the Noland House, and a family farmhouse in Grandview. 

History of the Park

The site was named a National Historic Site on May 23, 1983 to preserve the home of Harry Truman and the other buildings and farm on the property as a historical site.

Things to Do

The entrance fees and tours of this park are completely free. Take a guided tour of the historic home of Harry Truman. Visit the Truman farm home and other historic houses on the property.

The guided tours are so informational, and a great addition to an educational field trip. Since they are free, they do fill up fast, so make sure to arrive when the park first opens to secure tickets.

 

 

 

 

4. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first National Park Service sites to protect a wild river system. This park located in Van Buren, Missouri, encompasses two of America’s cleanest spring fed rivers:  Current River and Jacks Forks Rivers. It is also home to caves, freshwater springs, hiking trails and historic sites.

History of the Park

The park was established through congressional legislation to preserve the rivers in 1964. Since this was the first ever protected river system, it helped to inspire the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

Things to Do

If your family enjoys being in the great outdoors you won’t want to miss a visit to this natural beauty. There are camping sites with electricity and water, and more primitive camping sites, where you can camp directly under the stars. 

Explore the springs, caves and trails. It is a great place for hiking, biking, birdwatching, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding and other fun outdoor activities that the whole family will love. picnic areas

5. Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park is located in Eastern Missouri. It was created to protect French colonial architecture and tell the story of early French settlement in North America. 

The town of Ste. Genevieve was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri and is a quaint French colonial town full of history and beautiful architecture.

History of the Park

During the Missouri General Assembly session in 2018, the  Missouri Department of Natural Resources authorized to give property to the federal government for the National Park Service.

The Bauvais-Amouruex House was officially the first piece of property acquired by the National Park Service on July 17th, 2018 with the second home donated to the park in February 2020. It was formally established on October 30th, 2020.

Things to Do

If you appreciate old historical homes and French architecture you will enjoy touring the old homes and hearing the history of the French Canadian settlers. 

6. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site was preserved in remembrance of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general who saved the Union. It is located in the historic district of St. Louis County and sits on 10 acres with five historic structures. White Haven was an 850-acre working plantation by enslaved people from 1854 to 1859.

History of the Park

White Haven became a part of the National Park Service to preserve the history in 1989.

Things to Do

Take a guided tour of Grant’s home called White Haven. Tours of the house are available every 30 minutes. You can also watch a film about the Grants in the visitor center and visit the museum on the grounds. The entrance to the park and the tours of the house are free.

7. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located in Southwestern Missouri near Springfield. The park was preserved in remembrance of the  first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi.

Things to Do

This is another great place to visit if your family is learning about the Civil War. Go on a five mile drive with an guided automobile tour of the property. Visit the restored 1852 Ray House, and “Bloody Hill,” the scene of the major battle in the Civil War. There is also a museum and visitor center and 7 miles of hiking or horseback riding trails. 

Learn More About the History of Missouri 

Timeline of Missouri State Printable – This instant download is a printable timeline full of fun facts. Your children will learn about 5 famous people born in Missouri, famous mountains and how Missouri was made famous for its expansion west. 

Field Trip Journal Pack 

Our 14 page Field Trip Journal Pack offers easy and simple ideas for your kids to record what they learned when they visited any of these national park sites. It is also a great way to journal and record where you have visited and the things you have done in the past year. 

Pages included in the pack:

• Places I’d Like to Go List – Make a bucket list of all the places you would like to take a field trip to.
• Places I’ve Been – Keep track of the field trips you have gone on.
• Map of Field Trip Journeys – This is a map of the United States. Color each state that you have taken a field trip at.
• Map of the World – If your family has visited another country, color the places you have visited.
• Field Trip at a Glance -Record the date of the trip, how long it took to travel there and what you liked the best.
• What I Saw Along the Way – Draw what you saw on your trip in the suitcases provided.
• Things I Saw, Heard, Tasted and Touched – Write about the 5 senses that you experienced during the trip.
• What I Learned – There are lots of lines on this page to write all about what you learned on the field trip.
• Sketches of My Field Trip – For kids that like to draw over writing, they can sketch what they saw on their trip.
• Story About My Field Trip – Write a story about the field trip.
• 3 Things I Learned – For those that don’t like long journaling prompts, record 3 things you learned on your field trip.