Straight answers to the questions people ask about events and trips in Missouri, each checked on the organizer’s or agency’s own page and dated. Answers are written by the It’s Missouri Editorial Team (about our writers).
All answers
- Where is the best place to see fall foliage in Missouri? Peak timing and the hot spots the Missouri Department of Conservation names, region by region (reviewed 22 Oct 2026).
- Why Is Missouri Called the Show-Me State? Nobody is sure.
- Why Is Missouri Called the Cave State? Because it has thousands of caves.
- How Many State Parks Does Missouri Have? Missouri State Parks says its system has 93 state parks and historic sites, plus the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry trails, and day-use entry to every one is free.
- When Did Missouri Become a State? President James Monroe signed a proclamation on August 10, 1821 making Missouri the 24th state, per the Missouri State Archives.
- What Is the Katy Trail? Katy Trail State Park is a 240-mile trail from Clinton to Machens, from Henry County to St.
- How Long Is the Missouri River? The National Park Service says the Missouri River is nearly 2,341 miles long, from Three Forks, Montana to its meeting with the Mississippi near St.
- How Tall Is the Gateway Arch? The Gateway Arch is 630 feet (192 meters) tall, 75 feet taller than the Washington Monument, per the National Park Service.
- What Is The Missouri State Bird? 010, per the Secretary of State. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Flower? 030. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Tree? The flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the Missouri state tree, designated in 1955, per the Secretary of State.
- What Is The Missouri State Animal? 110. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Fossil? 090. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is Mozarkite? 045. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Mineral? 047. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Dessert? 180. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Fish? 135. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Song? “Missouri Waltz” is the state song, adopted by an act passed June 30, 1949. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Motto? What Is The Missouri State Motto? Read the answer with sources, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Missouri State Dinosaur? 095). The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Does The Missouri Flag Look Like? It has red, white and blue horizontal stripes with the coat of arms in the center, ringed by a blue band holding 24 stars. It was adopted March 22, 1913.
- What Is The Capital of Missouri? Jefferson City is the capital. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- What Is The Highest Point in Missouri? S. Geological Survey. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- How Many Counties Does Missouri Have? Missouri has 114 counties plus the independent City of St. Louis, 115 county-level areas in all, per Census Bureau files.
- What Is The Largest City in Missouri? Kansas City, with an estimated 521,220 people on July 1, 2025, ahead of St. Louis at 278,144, per Census Bureau estimates.
- What Is The Sales Tax in Missouri? 225 percent, and local taxes are added on top, per the Missouri Department of Revenue.
- Does Missouri Have a State Income Tax? Yes. 70 percent on Missouri taxable income over $9,191 for tax year 2025. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- How Much Is a Missouri Fishing Permit? 00 for both, per the Missouri Department of Conservation. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- When Is Deer Firearms Season in Missouri in 2026? The November portion runs November 14 to 24, 2026, per the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- How Far Ahead Can You Reserve a Missouri State Park Campsite? m. Central, per Missouri State Parks. The answer, with the pages we read, checked October 30, 2026.
- Is The Gateway Arch a National Park? Yes. The National Park Service calls it Gateway Arch National Park, formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, and the grounds have no entrance fee.
Curious about the animals? Read the Missouri wildlife guide.
Looking for dates? See all Missouri events. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's Missouri, “Missouri Answers”, itsmissouri.com/answers/ (updated ). By the It's Missouri editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.