Why This Tax Matters
This tax provides approximately 75% of the operating funding for Missouri State Parks.
Because of this funding:
- Missouri State Parks remain free to enter
- There are no admission or parking fees at Missouri State Parks & Historic Sites
- Outdoor recreation stays accessible for everyone, regardless of income
Missouri is one of only a small number of states that still offers free access to all state parks and historic sites. The average Missourian contributes roughly $20 per year through the tax. This is often less than the cost of a single park entrance fee in many other states. This ballot measure has passed every year it has been voted on, often by a greater than two-thirds majority in support of the renewal.
What the Tax Supports
Missouri State Parks & Historic Sites
The tax helps support:
- 93 Missouri State Parks & Historic Sites
- More than 1,000 miles of trails
- Over 3,500 campsites statewide
- Maintenance of more than 2,000 park structures
- Recreational access for nearly 20 million visitors annually
The funding also supports:
- Campgrounds, lodges, cabins, and visitor centers
- Playground upgrades and trail improvements
- Accessibility improvements like track chairs and tram tours
- Preservation of Missouri’s natural, cultural, and historic resources
Missouri State Parks consistently receive a 97% visitor approval rating and are recognized as one of the nation’s top state park systems.
Soil & Water Conservation
Half of the tax revenue supports soil and water conservation efforts across Missouri.
The funding helps:
- Reduce soil erosion
- Improve water quality
- Support farmers and landowners with conservation practices
- Provide local conservation education and technical assistance
Since 1984, Missouri farmers and landowners have implemented more than 288,000 conservation practices through the program. These efforts have prevented more than 193 million tons of soil from eroding into Missouri waterways. Before the program began, Missouri had one of the highest soil erosion rates in the nation.
Economic & Community Benefits
- Missouri State Parks support local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation across the state.
- The park system is estimated to generate more than $1 billion annually in economic impact and support thousands of Missouri jobs.
- Every $1 invested in Missouri State Parks is estimated to return roughly $26 to Missouri’s economy.
Important Things to Remember
- This is not the Missouri Department of Conservation sales tax
- This is a renewal of an existing tax voters have supported for decades
- The tax benefits every Missouri county
- The measure supports both public lands and clean water conservation
- Missouri parks stay free because Missourians have repeatedly voted to support them
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