From Rural Missouri Magazine:
There’s something for everyone at Missouri State Parks. For the 15th consecutive year, we’re honored to welcome Missouri State Parks back as the sponsor of the Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest.
The contest is open to amateur photographers and consists of five categories. Winners of each category can select one of 10 state park getaway packages valued at approximately $500. Photos must be entered online. First-, second- and third-place photos will be published in February 2026. Second- and third-place winners will receive Missouri State Parks gift cards valued at $100 and $50, respectively.
Photos must be taken at a Missouri state park or historic site. Entries will be judged on sharpness, composition, lighting, creativity and adherence to the category’s theme. Deadline to enter is Nov. 15, 2025. Questions about the contest may be sent to pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop.
CATEGORIES
1. Parks Less Traveled – Missouri’s state parks are popular places. The judges are looking for the beauty you can find in some of the less-traveled parks or historic sites or even less-traveled portions of any state park.
2. Adventure & Recreation – Whether it’s a night camping under the stars at Echo Bluff State Park or an exhilarating ride on the motocross track at Finger Lakes State Park, there’s plenty to choose from at Missouri’s state parks.
3. Park Heroes & Volunteers at Work – The parks and historic sites are managed by individuals dedicated to making your visit memorable. From a history hike at Thousand Hills State Park or a kids’ camp at Crowder State Park, our judges want to see these employees and volunteers in action.
4. Learning Something New – Everyone has their favorite state park traditions, but there is likely more than you can imagine at the parks. From basket weaving at the First State Capitol Historic Site in St. Charles to underground tours at Onondaga Cave State Park, make 2025 your year for a new adventure.
5. On The Trail – With more than 1,000 miles of managed trails, Missouri’s state parks offer a perfect venue for your next hiking, biking, off-road, kayaking or equestrian adventure.
Rules
1. Photos must be taken at one of Missouri’s state parks or historic sites. For a complete list of all the eligible parks, visit www.mostateparks.com.
2. Photographs must depict activities that conform to all Missouri State Parks rules and regulations and be taken during the park or site’s official operating hours.
3. The contest is for amateurs only. If you earn any income with your photography, please refrain from entering. Up to five photos per category can be entered. Do not enter the same photo in more than one category.
4. All photos must be entered online at ruralmissouri.org/photo-contest. Entries must include information in all data fields to be considered. Mailed entries won’t be considered.
5. Photos digitally altered beyond basic editing and toning or photos with watermarks won’t be considered. No part of the image can be created or removed using artificial intelligence.
6. Photographers may win no more than one first-place prize. Winning images from previous years are ineligible.
7. Employees of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri’s electric cooperatives and their immediate families are ineligible to win.
8. By entering the contest, photographers give Rural Missouri and Missouri State Parks permission to publish the images in print and online.
9. The deadline to enter is Nov. 15, 2025.
10. Questions may be sent to pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop.
