Year after year, our readers have been eager to show us how much they love to spend time in Missouri’s state parks with their friends, family and furry companions. And why shouldn’t they? The parks draw nearly 20 million guests annually with more than 400,000 nights spent at the many camping and lodging sites. And best of all, Missouri’s state parks are open to all as there are no admission fees to any park in the system thanks to their funding through half of the one-tenth-of-one-percent parks, soils and water sales tax reconsidered by Missourians every 10 years and last approved in 2016.
Rural Missouri and Missouri State Parks teamed up once again for the 13th iteration of the Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. The annual contest showcases all there is to do in Missouri’s state park system, widely regarded as one of the best in the nation.
The judges were blown away by all that our readers do — and take photos of — in the parks. Some entries highlighted slow-paced day trips on Katy Trail State Park — the nation’s longest rails-to-trails project — while others were more adventurous on the motocross track at Finger Lakes State Park. History buffs had plenty to see at the Missouri State Museum inside the Missouri State Capitol and the Arrow Rock State Historic Site. Fun photo opportunities awaited park goers visiting Elephant Rocks or Echo Bluff state parks.
Missouri’s photographers shared 1,200 images from nearly every state park and historic site for the judges to consider. Category staples such as Capture the Beauty — traditionally our most entered and competitive — and Making Memories remained popular. New categories such as Parks Less Traveled and Colors of the Season gave the judges updated looks at parks throughout the year. The panel of judges included staff from Rural Missouri and Missouri State Parks.
The results of the photo contest can be found on the following pages and will be displayed at the Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives Building at the Missouri State Fair in August. Winners of each of the five categories will receive their choice of Missouri State Parks prize packages valued at approximately $500 with the second- and third-place finishers being awarded a $100 and $50 gift card respectively. Take a look at this year’s winners!
You can learn more about Missouri State Parks online at www.mostateparks.com or by calling 800-334-6946.
Making Memories
First Place
“Montauk Sentiment” by Lucinda Broyles, Troy. Lucinda captured this image of Weston’s first time fishing at Montauk State Park. “It was wonderful how kind everyone was to him,” she says. “Montauk made a lifelong fishing buddy!”
Second Place
“The Sky is the Limit” by Nicole Postin, Alexis, Illinois. There’s plenty to do at Mark Twain State Park, but for Nicole, when it comes to fun in the water “the sky’s the limit!
Third Place
“Layla’s First State Park” by Richard Lowrey, St. Louis. Richard shared one of his favorite spots to watch a sunset — Castlewood State Park — with his newborn, Layla, on her first Missouri State Park adventure.
Capture the Beauty
First Place
“The Waters Edge” by Adam Dennis, Lebanon. Adam shot a fisherman having a quiet moment at the water’s edge at Bennett Spring State Park.
Second Place
“Milky Way Over Stockton Lake” by Clint Hunt, Springfield. Clint took advantage of clear skies and a long exposure on a camping trip at Stockton Lake State Park.
Third Place
“Grove of Shadows” by Shelby Enke, St. Clair. Shelby caught the “golden hour” as the sun began to set at Meramec State Park.
Discover the Past
First Place
“Little House on the Prairie” by Harold Willis, Springfield. Harold found the perfect spot to frame the homestead and rolling hills of Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site.
Second Place
“Route 66 Historic Structure” by Barry T. Medley, Moscow Mills. Barry captured the historic Route 66 bridge with this unique angle at Route 66 State Park.
Third Place
“Missouri Mines State Historic Site” by Harold Ostergaard, Pacific. Harold was met with perfect late afternoon light to make this image of the Missouri Mines State Historic Site.
Parks Less Traveled
First Place
“Golden Treasures” by Lee Castile, Fenton. Lee captured the sun setting along the ridge at Don Robinson State Park.
Second Place
“Golden Morning” by Sonja Brandt, Knob Noster. Sonja got to Knob Noster State Park early to capture the sun rising while out hiking.
Third Place
“Fall Colors at Locust Creek Covered Bridge” by Greg Smith, Ozark. History meets beauty as late afternoon fall colors shine bright at the Locust Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site.
Colors of the Season
First Place
“The Entryway to Winter Adventures” by Casey Hunt, Springfield. Winter was the perfect time for Casey to photograph the icicles stretching down from the natural bridge at Bennett Spring State Park.
Second Place
“Rock Bridge Memorial” by Matthew Schuchard, Columbia. The sun shines into an impossibly beautiful tree at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.
Third Place
“Castlewood Creek” by Kim Clouse, St. Charles. Colorful fall leaves rest at the bank of a creek in Castlewood State Park.