Which Missouri state park occupies the former town site of Times Beach on Route 66?

Route 66 State Park occupies the former town site of Times Beach, Missouri.

The park lies on the Meramec River in St. Louis County, about one mile east of Eureka. It covers roughly 424 acres and preserves a landscape that includes former streets, trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center focused on local Route 66 history.

Times Beach was evacuated after widespread dioxin contamination was discovered in the 1980s. The federal government bought and dismantled the community, and the Environmental Protection Agency carried out a long cleanup. The former town site later became the state park.

The park’s visitor center is housed in the former Bridgehead Inn. Exhibits cover Route 66 landmarks in the St. Louis area as well as the environmental history of Times Beach. A historic Route 66 bridge over the Meramec River remains closed because of safety concerns.