Activities

  • hiking

    Two trails, including a boardwalk, take you past some of the large trees in the park. Click here for more information.

  • picnicking

    Picnic tables and a shelter are nestled under the lofty trees. Click here for more information.

  • fishing

    Cast your line into the 22-acre Big Oak Lake. The borrow pit or moat surrounding the lake is also available for fishing.

  • boating

    A boat ramp allows access to the 22-acre Big Oak Lake.

  • Interpretive Programs

    You can attend interpretive programs on a variety of topics throughout the summer. Click here for more information.

  • Playground

    For the kids, a playground is conveniently located in the picnic area near the shelter.

Park information

A visit to Big Oak Tree State Park is a visit to Missouri as the first explorers saw it. Towering hickory trees and oaks form a canopy that averages more than 120 feet in height and the soaring trees and marshy terrain translates visitors back to when southeast Missouri was dubbed “Swampeast Missouri.” The trees and wetlands make the park a prime place for wildlife as well as picnic sites and shelters that are shaded by trees that have seen centuries of history. A self-guided boardwalk trail and an interpretive center tell the story of this rich landscape.

See video

Park Hours

Park Grounds:

6 a.m. to 10 p.m., year-round.

Nature Center hours

  • Summer Hours (On-Season)
    April through September
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday
  • Winter Hours (Off-Season)
    October through March
    The nature center is accessible by prior appointment.
    Please note you may need to contact staff at the park office before going to the nature center.

Park Office hours

  • Summer Hours (On-Season)
    April through September
    10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday