Washington State Park

Washington State Park is a nature area in Missouri featuring varied landscapes, rock formations with ancient carvings, and access to a river. The grounds include marked hiking paths, camping facilities, and rustic cabins for overnight visitors.

The park came into being during the 1930s as a public works project, with African American workers building stone structures throughout the grounds. Those carefully crafted buildings have remained standing and are still visible today.

Indigenous peoples created rock carvings that visitors can see on the stone faces throughout the park today. These artworks show patterns and symbols that reflect how those early communities understood their world.

The park welcomes visitors year-round and offers activities like hiking, picnicking, and swimming in the river. Wear sturdy footwear since the trails are rocky and the terrain can be uneven in places.

The park earned official historic recognition because it combines ancient rock carvings with stone structures built during a Depression-era public program. This overlap of two distant historical periods in one place creates something rarely seen elsewhere.

Location: Washington County

Inception: 1932

Website: http://mostateparks.com/washington.htm

GPS coordinates: 38.08470,-90.68420

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04