JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 15, 2021 – Representatives from St. Joe State Park invite the public to use the new Donnelly - LaMear Trailhead in Park Hills to enter the park. The trailhead is located at the Fairgrounds Drive Exit just off U.S. Highway 67 North. The new entrance is behind Hefner Furniture and Appliance, and just past Leadbelt Power Sports. The Donnelly - LaMear Trailhead has parking, restrooms and brand-new terrain to explore.
The entrance is open Thursday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to ATV, ORV and UTV riders; however, hikers, bikers and walkers are welcome to use those trails seven days a week during regular state park hours.
Only motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs are permitted on the trails in the woods. Other larger vehicles, due to their size are not permitted to enter at the Donnelly - LaMear Trailhead and are restricted to the sand-flats, which have a vegetated desert-like appearance.
Trails are identified with a three-digit numbering system. The '100' trail, which circumvents the entire riding area, is identified with blue blazes. The wooded trails vary in difficulty from relatively flat earthen-type surfaces to very steep, rocky, eroded slopes.
ATV and ORV riders must purchase an official state park permit to be admitted to the trails/park. There are no fees and no special permit needed to hike, bike or walk. ATV/ORV Permits must be in advance online at icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/memberships/customermemberships.aspx.
Once the permit is purchased, riders can use the digital receipt on their cell phones to enter the park from the Donnelly-LaMear Trailhead.
St. Joe State Park is located in Park Hills, off Highway 32. For more information about the new trailhead, call the park office at 573-431-1069.
For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.