St. Joe State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Labruyere Park Bonne Terre City Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
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Summary
Joe State Park is a popular destination located in Park Hills, Missouri. It offers visitors a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, natural beauty, and historical attractions. Here is a summary of the park, including reasons to visit, points of interest, interesting facts, and the best time of year to plan a trip.
Reasons to Visit:
1. Outdoor Activities: St. Joe State Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The park encompasses over 8,000 acres of land, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle riding.
2. Off-Road Vehicle Riding: The park is particularly renowned for its off-road vehicle trails, which cater to all skill levels. With more than 2,000 acres designated for off-road vehicle use, visitors can enjoy the thrill of riding dirt bikes, ATVs, or four-wheel drive vehicles.
3. Fishing and Boating: The park features two large lakes, a swimming beach, and multiple fishing ponds. Anglers can try their luck at catching bass, catfish, crappie, and sunfish. Boating is also permitted on the lakes, and boat rentals are available.
4. Historic Sites: St. Joe State Park has a rich historical background. Visitors can explore the remnants of the Missouri Mines State Historic Site, once home to one of the largest lead mining districts in the world. Several interpretive trails and exhibits provide insights into the area's mining history.
Points of Interest:
1. Missouri Mines State Historic Site: This site offers guided tours of the historic mine buildings, showcasing the mining process and the role of lead in the region's history.
2. St. Joe State Park Off-Road Vehicle Area: A must-visit for off-road vehicle enthusiasts, this area features over 2,000 acres of trails of varying difficulty levels.
3. Big River: The park's Big River is a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. It provides a serene setting surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.
Interesting Facts:
1. St. Joe State Park was established in 1976 and was once the site of extensive lead mining operations.
2. The park's off-road vehicle area is one of the largest in the Midwest and is known for hosting various off-road events and races.
3. St. Joe State Park is part of the Missouri State Parks system, which aims to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources while providing opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit St. Joe State Park is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is mild and ideal for outdoor activities. Spring brings blooming wildflowers and lush greenery, while fall offers stunning foliage colors. Summers can be hot and humid, and winters can be cold with occasional snowfall, limiting certain outdoor activities.
To ensure accuracy, it is advisable to verify this information by checking multiple independent sources such as official park websites, travel guides, and visitor reviews.
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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.
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