Jefferson County, MO Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard hours
- ½ hr before sunrise to ½ hr after sunset
- Northwest Sports Complex
- 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- High Ridge Civic Center
- 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, extends to midnight
- Enforcement
- Sheriff's Office and Park Rangers
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine and/or 1 year jail
Summary
Jefferson County shuts every County park down for the night: hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset under Section 240.100, and anyone still inside once a park closes is committing a violation. The Parks and Recreation Director can close any park early at will, and a handful of facilities keep separate, later posted hours.
Except as set forth in Subsection (B) of this Section and Section 240.150(C) of this Chapter, the hours of operation for all County Parks shall be from one-half (½) hour before sunrise to one-half (½) hour after sunset. Any park may be closed at any time at the discretion of the Director. Any individual in a County Park outside of the hours of operation or when a County Park is closed shall be in violation of this Chapter.
Full Breakdown
Section 240.100(A) of the Jefferson County, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Chapter sets the default schedule for every County-owned park: open one-half hour before sunrise, closed one-half hour after sunset. The Director of Parks and Recreation can shorten those hours or close a park entirely at any time, for any reason, without further notice. A person who remains in a County Park once its posted hours have ended, or while the park is closed by the Director, is in violation of the Chapter under Section 240.100(A).
Several parks run on adjusted schedules instead of the sunrise-to-sunset default. Morse Mill Park allows after-hours access for river use and fishing, and camping under Section 240.080(F). Brown's Ford Park, Cedar Hill Park, Jefferson County Winter Park and Rockford Park likewise stay open after normal hours for river access and fishing. The Northwest Sports Complex runs 8:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., and the High Ridge Civic Center runs 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., though a rental agreement can push that closing time out, never later than 12:00 A.M.
Enforcement runs through Section 240.030 and Section 240.040: being present in a closed park is a misdemeanor, enforced by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, including deputies designated as Park Rangers, who can issue citations, summons, or make arrests. A conviction carries up to a $1,000 fine, up to one year in the County Jail, or both, and the case is prosecuted in the Jefferson County Municipal Court by the County Municipal Prosecutor.
Violations & Fines
Being in a County park outside its posted hours, or after the Director has closed it, violates Section 240.030, a Chapter 240 misdemeanor. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, including deputies designated as Park Rangers, enforces the Chapter and can issue citations, summons, or make arrests under Section 240.040. Conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in the County Jail, or both, with the case prosecuted in Jefferson County Municipal Court under Section 240.030(B)-(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Jefferson County parks close?
Can I get in trouble for being in a park after hours?
Do the Northwest Sports Complex and High Ridge Civic Center follow the same hours as other parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Missouri curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.