For 15 years, our readers have eagerly shared the fun and worthwhile activities they enjoy with friends, family and furry companions inside Missouri’s state parks and historic sites. And they’re not alone. The parks draw around 20 million guests annually, with more than 400,000 spending the night at the many camping and lodging sites peppered across the Show-Me State. And the best part? There are no admission fees. Missouri State Parks are funded through half of the one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax, which is reconsidered by voters every 10 years, including again in 2026.
Rural Missouri is proud to once again partner with Missouri State Parks for the 15th Annual Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. The contest highlights all there is to see and do throughout Missouri’s state park system, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the nation.
As they always are, our judges were impressed with the variety of photos and activities our readers captured in the parks. From first-day hikes in January to reenactments at historic sites to sunset walks on the Katy Trail, our readers know how to make the most of Missouri’s parks.
Around 1,300 photos representing nearly every Missouri state park and historic site were entered online. The panel of judges — which included staff from Missouri State Parks and Rural Missouri — had the tall task of narrowing those entries down to the top three in each of the five categories. The results of the contest can be found on the following pages and will be displayed at the Missouri Electric Cooperative Building in August during the Missouri State Fair. Winners in each of the five categories will receive a Missouri State Parks prize package valued at approximately $500, with second- and third-place finishers receiving $100 and $50 gift cards, respectively.
Enjoy this year’s winners!
You can learn more about Missouri State Parks at www.mostateparks.com or by calling 800-334-6946.
Adventures & Recreation
First Place
Little Fishergirls, Krista Taylor, Krista captured this photo of two cousins dangling their lines during an early-morning trout fishing trip at Montauk State Park in March.
Second Place
Joyful Summer, Krista Taylor, There’s plenty to do on the water throughout Missouri’s parks, including getting thrown by Dad at Lake Wappapello State Park.
Third Place
Stargazing at the Lake of the Ozarks, Steve Ward, While visiting McCubbins Point inside Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Steve snapped this photo of a family looking for constellations in the sky.
Learning Something New
First Place
Making Ragdolls, Cynthia Pederson, Cynthia highlighted using colorful torn scraps to make dolls similar to those made when the mill was operating at Watkins Mill State Park.
Second Place
Learning to Fish, Tammy Scheets, Tammy captured Drew Taylor tightly holding on to her stuffy, Foxy, while trout fishing at Montauk State Park.
Third Place
Head-First Discovery, Lynn Bearden, Lynn caught the moment little adventurer Baylee went head first into the bucket to get a good look at the tadpole she just caught at Sam A. Baker State Park.
On the Trail
First Place
Fall Hiking at Weston Bend, Brittany Gelbach, Brittany captured the late-October fall colors during a hike on a leaf-covered path at Weston Bend State Park.
Second Place
Rock Solid Memories, Krista Taylor, Krista snapped this memorable moment of cousins having a good time atop a giant boulder on a trail at Elephant Rocks State Park.
Third Place
Katy Line Tunnel, Benjamin Horst, Benjamin got low to capture a unique angle of this biker who’s framed by the trees that surround the iconic Katy Trail.
Park Heroes & Volunteers at Work
First Place
A Meal of Missouri History, Kristen Kutzli, Kristen attended Missouri Foodways at Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site where interpreters shared stories of Missouri’s culinary past.
Second Place
Sing Along, Tony D. Cook, Tony says “Christmas at Arrow Rock would not be complete without songs, hot chocolate and human warmth, as shared by this volunteer choir.”
Third Place
Election Wagon Team, Tony D. Cook, Tony highlighted these reenactors who were gathering as candidates who spoke in the 1850 election at Arrow Rock State Historic Site.
Parks Less Traveled
First Place
Autumn at Union Bridge, Tony Pucket, Tony made this photo of fall colors slowly giving way to cooler weather at the Union Covered Bridge State Historic Site.
Second Place
A Thousand Hills of Light, Steve Ward, Steve used a 15-second exposure to get this photo of the Milky Way as a thunderstorm starts to roll across the horizon at Thousand Hills State Park.
Third Place
Sun Coming Up at Dillard Mill, David A. Peterson, David captured this unique angle from the mill at Dillard Mill State Historic Site. He visited early on a winter morning with ice on some rocks and snow on the ground.