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Crowder State Park provides 1,912 acres in the rolling green hills of northern Missouri. Visitors can enjoy more than 17 miles of hiking, bicycling and equestrian trails in a forested, rugged terrain. The park also offers fishing and boating opportunities on 18-acre Crowder Lake. The family-oriented campground includes modern restrooms and shady picnic sites are scattered throughout the park.
Nestled in the rolling, glaciated hills of north-central Missouri, Crowder State Park is special for several reasons. The park memorializes a notable Missourian, Maj. Gen. Enoch Herbert Crowder. The landscape offers a retreat of rugged slopes and stately forests in a region otherwise consisting of generally level farmland.
The state park named in his honor is located just a few miles from the Crowder homestead. The park’s natural environment is unusual for northern Missouri. It is covered with a mantle of rich glacial soils that nurture thick forests of sugar maple, and stately white and red oaks. The Thompson River winds its way through the park. The river is named for Dr. William Preston Thompson. The ruins of Thompson’s ca. 1833 brick home still stand within park boundaries
Bordering it are steep-walled valleys and ravines where basswoods and bur oaks tower over an understory of dogwoods, as well as, serviceberry and bladdernut. The rich bottomlands along this meandering river are accented by diverse stands of mature trees. Cottonwood, as well as, river birch, silver maple and sycamore trees all abound. They shade a valley floor where the rare ostrich fern grows. Carpets of swamp buttercups and touch-me-nots, as well as, sweet williams and Dutchman’s breeches are also plentiful. On well-shaded sandstone ledges, lady slipper orchids, as well as, maidenhair ferns cling to a delicate existence.
PARK RECREATION
The park offers many opportunities for recreational, as well as, leisure activities. Camping and picnicking, as well as, hiking and fishing are available. There are both basic and electric campsites in the park. The camping area features all the amenities. Modern restrooms, hot showers, a dumping station, as well as, laundromat and playground equipment are all available.
Camp Grand River, a group camp, is available to nonprofit organizations. It offers sleeping cabins, as well as, dining lodge with kitchen. A recreation hall and outdoor recreational facilities, as well as, a play court are also available. The 18-acre Crowder Lake is regularly stocked with fish to tempt the angler. Picnic sites are scattered throughout the park. For larger family gatherings, an enclosed shelter with electricity is available. Two open shelters, all of which can be reserved by contacting the park superintendent, are also available. A paved tennis court is another of the recreational offerings. The park offers several forest trails for hikers including one that leads to the Thompson River.
PARK HOURS & FEES
Contact Park
PARK PHONE
660-359-6473
PARK ADDRESS
76 NW Highway
Trenton, MO 64683
For more information click HERE.
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