Laura Hendrickson stepped into the role of director of Missouri State Parks in early 2025, but she’s no newcomer to the outdoors. She has worked in parks and recreation throughout her entire career and has spent nearly 30 years with Missouri State Parks. Previously, she served as deputy director of operations. Now, she oversees the system’s 93 state parks and historic sites, which cover over 160,000 acres and attract millions of visitors annually. We spoke with Hendrickson about her love for the outdoors, big goals for Missouri State Parks, and what most people don’t realize about the state park system.
How did you first get into the outdoors?
My father worked in the forestry department in an urban forestry setting, and I’ve worked in some form of parks and recreation since I was 15. I’ve been a lifeguard, worked concessions, mowed grass, and helped in campgrounds. My father also took me fishing and taught me how to drive a boat, and my family canoed and camped a lot. I’m from Iowa, originally. We would come down to Lake of the Ozarks, and I spent many summers at Table Rock State Park.
How’s the new job going?
Starting during the legislative session was like drinking from a firehose, but it’s going well. I’ve been with Missouri State Parks for going on 29 years, but most of that time was spent in field operations. The central office operations are different, so I’m always asking, “Why do we do it this way?” I want to make sure I understand the issue so that I can help Missouri State Parks align our efforts and decisions accordingly.
What has surprised you the most?
Very rarely does a day go by as planned. For our state parks and historic sites, we provide the same public services as any small city, everything from administration and sanitation to roads and recreation. So there’s always something. Think about Roaring River State Park (near Branson). We have just as many people down there in a peak weekend as most small cities. We’re providing the drinking water and taking care of wastewater, security, and more.
Roaring River State Park. (Missouri State Parks)
What are your major goals for Missouri State Parks?
One goal is to continue promoting sustainable management of our natural resources. We have to take care of the natural and cultural resources we’re currently entrusted with and make sure our programs and practices are resilient and serve the public well. We also want to continue engaging our communities and stakeholder groups. In 2026, we’ll be celebrating 100-year anniversaries at Montauk, Mark Twain, and Route 66 state parks.
What’s something people don’t realize about Missouri State Parks but should?
Our state park system is consistently recognized as one of the top systems across the nation. We average about 20 million visitors annually and 1.3 million overnight guests. Most people don’t know that we are primarily funded by the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax (a statewide, one-tenth of 1% sales tax that funds state parks and historic sites, as well as soil and water conservation efforts). Because of this special funding, Missouri is one of only seven states that don’t charge entrance fees or parking fees. It costs the average taxpayer just $10 per year.
Our sales tax is up for renewal in 2026. This is super important because it supplies 75% of our operating budget, and the other 25% of our budget is paid for by fees for things like camping and shelter rentals. So we receive no general funds. Missouri residents have a long legacy of caring about the outdoors and have given tremendous support to the state park system.
What makes Missouri State Parks special?
The biodiversity and resources we manage across Missouri are amazing. We have tallgrass prairie, unique glades, outstanding rivers and streams, beautiful lakes, special caves, and all kinds of forest and woodland communities. We also have a wealth of cultural resources. We manage a presidential birthplace, the home of musician Scott Joplin, the Katy Trail, and the home of painter Thomas Hart Benton. We have a lot of cool stuff!
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Laura Hendrickson’s Essentials
Favorite Missouri parks: “The Hs: Hawn, Ha Ha Tonka, and Hunter-Dawson.”
Favorite hidden gems: “Bryant Creek State Park and Graham Cave.”
Favorite trail: “The next one I venture onto.”
Author: Stephanie Zeilenga is a contributor to Terrain.
Top image: Laura Hendrickson in a Missouri park. (Courtesy of Missouri State Parks)
A very nice article on Laura. I had the pleasure to work with her while she was at Prairiev State Park and saw great potential in her devotion to natural and cultural preservation..
I have great hopes for the parks and hope for better attention to the excellent historic sites as equal partners in the character and status of Missouri.