Record attendance at Missouri's state parks in 2021

[Sherman A1]

State parks in Missouri are proving to be more popular than ever, with record numbers of visitors.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that 22.5 million people visited Missouri state parks in 2021, a nearly 7% increase from 2020 and an all-time high for the state’s 92 parks and historic sites.

The state also reported a 24% increase in campsite rentals and a 17% increase in lodging units rented.

Division of State Parks Director David Kelly says the biggest complaint the division gets is that the parks are so popular people can’t always get into them.

https://krcgtv.com/news/local/record-attendance-at-missouris-state-parks-in-2021

[SWBTATTReg]

1. That surprises me, but it could also mean that people are traveling less, on a national basis,

and more Missourians are staying home in MO and going to MO parks instead. It's especially good to hear, considering that so many people consider MO a flyover state (like so many states in the middle of the US). Sometimes I feel like the entire middle of the US is ignored.

Tourists and others should come to MO, MO does have a hell of a lot to offer, we have our own Nashville (music, and I'm talking about Branson), we have big Cowboy events in KCMO (and Nelson Art Gallery, I love love love this musuem), we have tons of lakes to fish in, to go ski, to scuba dive, etc., all over the state. Tons of parks to go camping in, hiking in, wildlife galore to see, etc. We also have a huge wine making industry too (I make wine but not as much as I used to). We also make wood barrels (a fun fact, go to Lebanon MO to explore the plant that makes them, a fun and informative visit).

If you're into Eagles (the birds) there are quite a few at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, and other parts of the state, such as highway 32 heading towards Springfield (Southwards, away from Lebanon), about midway, there's a huge field that the Eagles hang around, I suspect it's the Niangua River that the Eagles are attracted to. Canoeing too is another huge industry too, heck, I sat there one time counting the number of canoes being put in, and I counting over 600 canoes at one spot (headed towards the Niangua branch of the Lake of the Ozarks).

I'm glad to see this. Isn't it about time? Maybe Missourians decided it was too dangerous to go elsewhere because of COVID? We do have wide open spaces here too, but wide-open spaces w/ lots of activities close by too, that you don't have to drive 100s of miles to, like some people have to do (drive) to get to attractions in those states.

And of course, I never even got into Silver Dollar City, or all of the attractions in Branson, tons of music venues down there too. Joplin MO has a really nifty Rock Museum (the town has a long history of mining in the area, and thus, the Rock Museum is a wonderful, absolutely wonderful place to visit.

Sorry about rambling on, I can't help it, MO does have a lot to offer.

[Sherman A1]

2. Entirely possible you are correct on the reasoning

Missouri does have some great things to do and to see. We are indeed treated like backwards flyover country by many and that will certainly continue, their loss I suppose by they can keep their noses in the air and just pass on by with their attitudes. Nobody here needs their noise or their elitism.

The confluence area of the rivers and the Audubon Center near the Alton Bridge is another great spot for eagles 🦅 if you get that way sometime.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Thanks!

I'll add the confluence area of the rivers and the Audubon Ctr to my ongoing MO attractions list, that I've maintained for years (for friends coming to MO, STLMO, etc.).

One of the distinct pleasures I've had in living in the state of MO is that I've lived all over the state, had family in most parts of the state (KC, Indep., Joplin, Lake of the Ozarks/Lebanon, Houston MO, Buffalo, MO, Camdem County, STLMO, Maryland Heights).

And most importantly, had the most absolutely neatest neighbors and friends one could have, among some who lived in a School Bus, had a hot tub made of large tractor tires (neat, and located in a homemade greenhouse), artist friends who sold pottery and other neat objects of art in all of these places, and folks who lived in the caves bordering MO and Arkansas. Talk about neat!

And in every place, the people are as friendly and helpful as one can imagine. You literally could ask for their shirts off their backs, and they would, w/o question give it to you. Unfortunately, you don't run into these 'down home' kinds of people at the 'common' tourist traps in MO (or IMHO, thank God you don't). There's a whole another side of MO other than racing down the lakes in a high-powered speedboat, etc. Slow down, for heavens' sake, and enjoy the companionship.