State Parks and National Parks

Big Oak Tree State Park, near East Prairie in Mississippi County, is one of the few remnants of the magnificent, towering forests that covered this region before European settlement.

The rich alluvial soils of this "swampeast" region, as it was called, were deposited by the last inland sea millions of years ago. The forest trees that took root here grew to enormous proportions in the fertile earth.

In the 1930s, citizens realized these forests could be lost forever to farming and timber. In 1938, about 1,000 acres were purchased by local residents. The nucleus of Big Oak Tree State Park was 80 acres of virgin bottomland hardwood, where a tree canopy averages 120 feet.

Big Oak has a national reputation among bird-watchers. It hosts about 146 species, several of which are considered to be extremely rare in the state. These include the hooded warbler, the Mississippi kite, the fish crow and Swainson’s warbler.

A boardwalk through the park makes access to the dense, swampy areas much easier and gives visitors a more convenient way to see wildlife and nature.

Big Oak Lake is 22 acres and is stocked with catfish, bass, bluegill and crappie.

In addition to nature hikes, there are picnic areas and a nature center with exhibits.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources.