Myre - Big Island State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Ochee Yahola County Park Ballfield
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Myre-Big Island State Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Missouri.
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Summary
The park is known for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several reasons to visit Myre-Big Island State Park, including hiking, picnicking, fishing, and camping. The park also offers numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing, including deer, coyotes, and bald eagles.
One of the most popular points of interest in Myre-Big Island State Park is Big Island, which is accessible by a bridge from the mainland. The island offers several hiking trails, including the 4.5-mile Big Island Loop Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Other points of interest in the park include the Myre Lake Dam, which offers excellent fishing opportunities, and the Myre Family History Center, which showcases the history of the Myre family and the surrounding area.
Interesting facts about Myre-Big Island State Park include its origins as a farm owned by the Myre family, who donated the land to the state for use as a park. The park also contains several archaeological sites dating back to the prehistoric era, including a burial mound and several earthworks.
The best time of year to visit Myre-Big Island State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and wildlife viewing, while summer is ideal for swimming and boating on Myre Lake. Winter also offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Myre-Big Island State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in experiencing the natural beauty and rich history of Missouri.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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