With increased visitation at Missouri state parks and historic sites, it’s important for visitors to remember to assist park staff in protecting and preserving the state’s natural and cultural resources. Missouri State Parks is a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and believes in the stewardship of America’s public lands. 

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national organization with a mission of protecting the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. Park and historic site visitors can help by following these seven principles:

1) Plan ahead and prepare. Look for information before heading to a park or historic site by visiting mostateparks.com. 2) Always travel on durable surfaces by staying on designated paths, trails and areas. 3) Trash your trash. Always pack out trash, including food scraps, water bottles, wipes, plastic containers, etc. 4) Take only pictures and leave only footprints. 5) Minimize campfire impacts. If making a fire, use a provided campfire ring or picnic grill. 6) Respect wildlife. Enjoy their sights and sounds from a distance and never feed them. This protects visitors and the wildlife. 7) Respect other visitors. Keep a physical distance from others in the park, talk with inside voices, respect trail rights of way, and always wear headphones when listening to music. If busy, warn others when passing.

Protecting and preserving the natural resources of Missouri is the mission of Missouri State Parks.