Missouri Charges Nothing to Enter Its State Parks: How to Work Out Free on the Katy Trail, Greenways and More

Most states charge you to park at a state park. Missouri doesn’t. The state park system is one of a handful in the country with no entrance fee, paid for in part by a dedicated sales tax [1]. That puts hundreds of miles of trail, including the longest developed rail-trail in the country, within reach at no cost [2].

Check the official trail conditions before visiting, as washouts, rough surfaces and maintenance work may affect sections of the trail.

Why Missouri’s parks are free

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources credits the Parks, Soil and Water Sales Tax for the state’s free park entry [1]. Missouri voters renewed the tax as Amendment 1 in the August 2026 primary [3], so free entry continues.

Free entry covers walking in, parking and using the trails. Camping and some other services still have their own fees, so check the park’s page before you go.

The Katy Trail

Katy Trail State Park follows the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad corridor for 240 miles, between Clinton in west-central Missouri and Machens near St. Charles [2]. It has 26 trailheads and four restored railroad depots [2]. Missouri State Parks calls it the longest developed rail-trail in the country, open to cyclists, walkers and horseback riders [2].

Because it’s a former rail bed, the grade is gentle. That makes it a good choice for a long walk, an easy run or a first bike ride after a long break. Many trailheads sit in small river towns, so you can start a short out-and-back almost anywhere along the route.

Rock Island Trail State Park connects to the Katy. It covers 47.5 miles of developed trail from Pleasant Hill to Windsor, on the old Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad [4]. Another 144 miles of corridor from Windsor to Beaufort stays closed to the public until it is developed [4]. When it’s finished, the network is meant to link Kansas City and St. Louis [4].

St. Louis: Great Rivers Greenway

In the St. Louis area, Great Rivers Greenway builds and cares for a network of greenways, 140 miles and counting [5]. It’s a public agency created by voters in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County in 2000, funded by a sales tax for parks and greenways [5]. The greenways are free to use for walking, running and biking.

Kansas City community centers

Kansas City Parks and Recreation sells an All Access pass for its community centers. It covers fitness centers, open swim, open gym and select classes, but not room rentals, skate rentals, most classes or activity fees [6].

Before you buy, compare the monthly price with how often you’ll go. If you only want the gym for the winter months, three or four monthly passes may cost less than the annual one.

YMCA help in the St. Louis area

The Gateway Region YMCA offers financial assistance for memberships and programs. It looks at family income, employment status, health care issues and other circumstances, and reviews each application individually [7]. You fill out an application, bring proof of income to a YMCA welcome center, and hear back within 10 business days [7].

Summer heat and ticks

Missouri summers are hot and humid, and that changes how you should exercise outside.

Ticks are the other summer hazard on Missouri trails. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says ticks wait on vegetation, usually within three feet of the ground [9]. Its advice: use a repellent with DEET on your skin, and treat clothing with permethrin, which kills ticks [9]. Stay in the middle of the trail and check yourself for ticks when you get home.

How much activity to aim for

Federal guidelines say adults need 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, plus muscle-strengthening activity on two or more days [10]. Thirty minutes on a trail five days a week reaches the low end.