Mastodon State Historic Site Shelters

About

Mastodon State Historic Site in Imperial, Missouri, offers limited camping facilities focused on group use. The site features a small picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 80 people, available for $45 per day reservation through the Missouri State Parks system. The shelter lacks electricity but provides nearby access to vault toilets, water fountains, playground, and horseshoe pits. A special-use camping area is designated primarily for organized youth groups and nonprofit organizations, offering basic amenities including vault toilets, water access, four picnic tables, and three fire pits with space for multiple tents. This area operates on a fee basis and requires advance coordination with the park office. The historic site preserves the Kimmswick Bone Bed, an important archaeological and paleontological site where the first solid evidence of human and American mastodon coexistence in eastern North America was discovered. Visitors can explore a museum with mastodon skeleton replica, hike three trails including one leading to the bone bed excavation site, and enjoy a wildflower garden that attracts birds and butterflies.

Directions

From St. Louis, travel south on I-55 to Exit 186/Imperial/Kimmswick. After exiting, turn right onto Imperial Main Street, then right onto West Outer 55 Road. Turn left onto Seckman Road for the picnic area or left onto Museum Drive for the museum entrance.