Park is closed Nov. 3-4
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 17, 2025 – Rock Bridge Memorial State Park and Gans Creek Wild Area will be temporarily closed to the public Monday, Nov. 3, and Tuesday, Nov. 4, for a managed deer hunt to safely and effectively manage the park’s and wild area’s deer population. The hunt is a coordinated effort between the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Guests are encouraged to not visit the park on those days, as they will be turned away for their safety.
Missouri state parks are usually wildlife refuges where hunting is not permitted. However, when an overpopulation of deer develops, the Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Conservation hold special managed hunts to prevent harm to the ecosystem. This year, studies at the park determined the deer population showed an overpopulated/overcrowded number of deer per acre. The managed hunt will help other wildlife and the ecosystem by reducing the number of deer in the area.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has already selected hunters, who will be using muzzleloaders only.
Before heading to a Missouri state park or historic site, guests should check the Park and Site Status Map at modnr.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0cc1b6513d6e407694aede7b7bdbde93 for any closures that may impact their visit. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is located at 5901 S. Highway 163, outside of Columbia.
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.