St. Joe State Park

St. Joe State Park is a large recreation area in Missouri with four lakes, extensive trail systems for off-road vehicles, and two separate campgrounds designed for different activities. The site covers former mining land that has been repurposed to support jeep riding, horseback camping, and other outdoor recreation.

The land was donated in 1976 by St. Joe Minerals Corporation following over a century of lead mining in Missouri's historic mining region. This shift from industrial extraction to public recreation represented a major change in how the land was used and managed.

The park serves as Missouri's primary destination for off-road vehicle enthusiasts, drawing riders from neighboring states who come to share the trail experience year-round. It has become a gathering place where visitors connect through their shared passion for outdoor riding.

Visitors need to obtain permits for off-road vehicle use, and the park has two separate campgrounds suited to different activities. One campground accommodates jeep and ATV drivers, while the other serves those coming with horses.

The park contains roughly 2,000 acres of sand flats that were created as byproducts of mining operations and have been transformed into an extensive trail network. This repurposed industrial land has become a favored riding destination for drivers across the region.