The clearest safety concern at Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park is the surrounding county's violent crime rate, recorded at 473.6 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2023 — well above the national average. While the park itself focuses on historic structures in a small-town setting, visitors spending time in the broader Ste. Genevieve County area should factor this into their plans, particularly for evening outings.
Park in well-lit, populated areas near the historic district rather than on quiet side streets after dark, and keep valuables locked out of sight in your vehicle. If you're staying at a nearby campground, choose a site with good sightlines and introduce yourself to camp hosts or neighbors. The county also logged thunderstorm wind and hail events, so pack a weather radio or enable your phone's emergency alerts and be ready to shelter inside a hard-sided vehicle if storms develop quickly.
Top recorded hazards in Ste. Genevieve County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Thunderstorm Wind 3
- Hail 2
Gear keyed to this park's risks
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About Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the Big Field). After the flood of 1785, the town relocated to its present location on higher ground approximately three miles to the northwest of its original site.
Weather
The weather in Ste. Genevieve is typical of a midwestern climate. High heat and humidity, severe thunderstorms, snow and ice, and extreme cold are all possible depending upon the season. The average high in July is 88 degrees and the average low in January is 22 degrees. The area averages 41 inches of precipitation annually. Please plan your visit accordingly.