There are some incredible historic, cultural, and natural Missouri landmarks out there and they are just waiting for you to explore them. The best way to see them all? In an RV, of course.
If you are hoping to take an RV trip to Missouri and aren’t sure what to see and do, make sure to add these top Missouri landmarks to your list!
Top Landmarks in Missouri
Missouri Landmarks
Gateway Arch
The symbolic gateway to the wide-open west, Gateway Arch was originally constructed between 1963-1965 at a cost of about $13 million. That translates to a whopping $111 million today. It was built as a public memorial to the brave souls who started our nation’s western expansion. Today, the site is operated by the NPS as Gateway Arch National Park, and also includes the nearby Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott trials were heard.
During your visit, you can ride a kind of indoor funicular to the top of the arch for its dynamic view from more than 600 feet above the city and river below. This view is ADA accessible, making this the tallest accessible structure in Missouri. It’s also the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere, and the museum at its base is awash in fascinating facts about America’s evolution, history, and culture.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There’s certainly no shortage of to-dos in St. Louis, whose skyline is made iconic by this very arch. We highly recommend the City Museum, which is easily one of the most interesting museums in the country.
Looking for camping? We highly recommend Babler Memorial State Park for an affordable and beautiful getaway.
Anheuser Busch Brewery
Even if you’re not a big beer drinker, a trip to the original Anheuser Busch Brewery is something of a pilgrimage. Opened in 1852, this is the flagship brewery of brands as popular and beloved as Budweiser. It offers guests a fascinating look into the sometimes-weird world of beer-making.
Along with its variety of different guided tours, the brewery also hosts private events and offers a lovely biergarten for sipping some suds under a burning Missouri sun. Looking for more fun? Drive out to Boonville to visit the ranch where the world-famous Clydesdales are kept.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The Anheuser Busch Brewery is a great destination to add to any St. Louis itinerary. Another great attraction in the area is the St. Louis Zoo, which is totally free to visit and one of the top zoos in the U.S.
As far as camping goes, you might consider 370 Lakeside Park for a peaceful stay.
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
One of the most important figures in the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant saved the Union. He also became the 18th president of the United States. The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site serves as a memorial to this important figure’s life.
These grounds, otherwise known as White Haven, are the childhood home of the woman who would grow up to become Grant’s wife, Julia Dent. Between 1854 to 1859, both the Dents and the Grants lived here. The monument encapsulates the lives and experience of the people who lived and worked here over the years, giving visitors a true peek behind the historical curtain.
Guided tours are available, as is a short orientation film and a park museum housed inside the historic horse stable Grant designed and built back in 1872.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Tucked away in the southeastern outskirts of St. Louis, the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is within easy driving distance of tons of great local wildernesses, such as Castlewood State Park. Of course, the many St. Louis attractions are also easy to access, so make sure to see Busch Stadium.
Camping is available at the campgrounds mentioned above, but we also love St. Louis West/Historic Route 66 KOA Holiday.
Graham Cave
Graham Cave is such an important natural landmark in the state of Missouri that they decided to consecrate a state park to protect it.
The park website isn’t lying when it says that “a walk in Graham Cave State Park is a walk through ancient history.” Along with its beautiful natural landscape, Graham Cave State Park is also an important archeological site. Artifacts found here suggest that Native Amercans and indigenous peoples have been using this site as a shelter for as many as 10,000 years.
The park offers almost 400 acres of lush wilderness including miles of hiking trails at a variety of difficulty levels, as well as picnic areas, interpretive signage, and fishing opportunities.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Conveniently located right along the I-70 corridor, Graham Cave State Park is close by to other natural wildernesses worth visiting, such as the Baldwin State Wildlife Area, Whetstone Creek Conservation Area and more.
You can camp in the state park, and that is what we recommend doing in order to get the full experience.
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home
Originally born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, most of us know this prolific and famous author better by his pen name, Mark Twain. You can see what his childhood was like first hand when you visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home in the Missouri town of Hannibal, just about two hours north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
Along with preserving the historical structure itself, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home site has also developed a museum. There, visitors can get more information about the man behind such important canonical texts as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Both books explored what it was like to grow up along the Mississippi River in a city much like this one.
The organization also holds a rotating calendar of events to bring visitors together in fun and informative ways.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
The town of Hannibal is small, but certainly not without its charm. Rockcliffe Mansion is only steps from this landmark. We also highly recommend exploring and camping at Mark Twain Cave and Campground.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
Although it might not be the most famous battle fought during the Civil War, the fight fought on what is now Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield bears the distinction of being the first fought west of the Mississippi River. It was also where the first Union general killed in action, Nathaniel Lyon, met his end. This important battle pulled national attention to Missouri.
Today, the place where it was fought is marked by beautiful, rolling green hills and a 4.6-mile paved road tour that you can take in your car, by bicycle, or on foot. The national battlefield also hosts a Civil War Research Library where scholars and laypeople alike can come and check out primary historical sources.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Nestled just a few miles southwest of Springfield, the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield makes for a great day trip for those staying in town. Some great Springfield attractions include Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium and the Dickerson Park Zoo.
RV camping can be found at Springfield/Route 66 KOA Holiday.
George Washington Carver National Monument
Known as a “Plant Doctor” even when he was just a boy, George Washington Carver went on to develop hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans. An agricultural whiz and a constantly hungry, inventive mind, Washington Carver devoted his life to helping others.
The George Washington Carver National Monument is devoted to preserving this amazing man’s memory and educating visitors about his unique history. The park offers plenty of things to do, including events and ranger-led tours to help visitors get better acquainted with both the local landscape and Washington Carver’s story. There’s even a Junior Ranger activity that allows young visitors to get their hands dirty — literally — as they explore what it means to be an agricultural inventor for themselves!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
This national monument is located in the southwestern corner of the state near towns like Joplin and Fidelity. It is also about an hour outside of Springfield, which is great if you’re looking for a more big-city feel. Those looking to get outside will appreciate the nearby wildernesses like Roaring River State Park.
Coachlight RV Park is located not too far away and is a great place to make yourself at home.
Fort Osage National Historic Landmark
Built under the direction of no one but General William Clark himself, Fort Osage was first constructed back in the early 1800s. It was one of three forts established by the U.S. Army in order to establish control over the then-newly-purchased Louisiana Territory. At the time, it was a factory trading post run by the U.S. Government. It served as a waypoint and a station from which the U.S. government attempted to make peace with the Osage peoples who lived in these lands before the white men came.
Although the structure that stands here today is a replica built between 1948 and 1961, standing on these grounds still enables visitors to feel a part of American history that can seldom be experienced elsewhere.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in what is now the town of Sibley, Missouri, Fort Osage is not too far outside of Kansas City, which is a wonderful town to explore on both the Missouri and Kansas sides. Make sure to see Worlds of Fun, the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, and the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
The best pace to stay? That would be the Worlds of Fun Village RV campground.
Truman Home
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States of America. His longtime home rests right here in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area. The home itself is considered a landmark, but so is the entire area around the structure. This area is preserved as the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, and includes other properties along with his Independence, Missouri residence.
The Truman Home is managed by the National Park Service and guided tours are available to allow visitors a closer look at the lifestyle of this famous American. There’s also an opportunity to follow in Truman’s footsteps as you walk around the town of Independence. (Truman was known for his brisk walks, which he kept at the pace of 120 steps per minute he was taught as a soldier.)
Attractions and Camping Nearby
While in Independence, also be sure to swing by the Vaile Mansion and the Harry S. Truman Library before heading further west into Kansas City.
You can park your RV at Fleming Park/Blue Springs Campground for a lovely and relaxing stay.
Liberty Memorial
Also known as the National WWI Museum and Memorial, Liberty Memorial has stood in Kansas City since 1926. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 2006, and was also designated two years before that by Congress to stand as America’s official World War I museum.
Today, the site is awash with important historical information to explore (and, of course, an incredible memorial to marvel and pay one’s respects at).
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Located in the heart of Missouri-side Kansas City, there are tons of things to see and do within steps of the Liberty Memorial. One nearby option we recommend: the Museum of Illusions.
If Worlds of Fun Village isn’t appealing to you, you can set up camp a little outside of town in Trailside RV Park.
Planning an RV Trip to Missouri
An RV trip is the perfect way to experience all of these Missouri landmarks and more. AS you explore, make sure to see the best state parks the state has to offer. You’ll also want to see St. Louis and Kansas City during your time in this great state!
