JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri state parks and historic sites have many activities planned throughout the lake area.
- Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, at 9:30 a.m. – Children’s Story Time at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Join park team members every Thursday morning at the park visitor center at 1491 State Road D in Camdenton, for children’s story time. The park team will read a short nature-themed story and then do a craft activity. Registration is not required and there is no fee. - Friday, July 11, at 9 p.m. – Astronomy Night at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Have you ever gazed upon the night skies and wondered what exactly you were seeing? Are all of those glistening objects stars, planets or something else? Join us for an evening of stargazing – weather permitting – as we tour the night skies with a telescope.
This program will begin at the Post Office Shelter at 9 p.m. To get to the Post Office Shelter from Highway 54, turn onto state Road D and continue for approximately 2.3 miles; the Post Office Shelter will be on your left. This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to sit in during the program. - Saturday, July 12, at 10 a.m. – Guided Bison Saunter at Prairie State Park.
Summer has arrived, and we are ready to share it with you. The wildflowers are impressive, the grasses are growing, and the bison are enjoying them. Visitors should be prepared for at least a 2-mile saunter over uneven terrain. Because we won’t know the location of the bison the morning of the event, bringing water, snacks, insect repellent, a hat and sunscreen. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended. In addition, binoculars can be useful in watching the bison and other wildlife. June weather can be unpredictable, so please prepare for it. The event is free, but registration is required and limited to 30 participants. To register, call 417-843-6711. Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines. - Saturday, July 12, at 2 p.m. – Baptizings and Tent Meetings: The Religious History of Bennett Spring at Bennett Spring State Park.
Learn about the spiritual life of Brice, a town that was once located in the area that is now occupied by Bennett Spring State Park. Join park team members in the nature center at 26250 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon to view a slideshow presentation about this fascinating history. - Friday, July 18, at 8:30 p.m. – Bats of River Cave at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Join the park team to discover the bats of River Cave. They will discuss the bats’ adaptations for life at night, and how River Cave is a vital habitat for them. Afterward, guests may get to see the bats leave the cave for the night.
Meet at the River Cave parking lot at 8 p.m. The program will begin at 8:30 p.m. To get to the River Cave parking lot from Highway 54, turn onto state Road D, and continue for approximately 2 miles. The River Cave parking lot will be on your left. This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. - Saturday, July 19, at 1 p.m. – When Our Flag Had 24 Stars at Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site.
Visit the homestead for a free program about the histories of the American flag and the flag of Missouri. Meet at the picnic shelter anytime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to discover this history and create your own flag. Plus, in celebration of National Ice Cream Month, there will be supplies for guests to make their own vanilla ice cream.
This program is open to the public and does not require registration. In the event of inclement weather, the program may be canceled. The historic site is located at 7850 N. State Highway V in Ash Grove. - Tuesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. – Concert at the Castle at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Come join us for an evening of wonderful music at our annual Concert at the Castle, presented by the Lake Area Community Orchestra. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will take place on the castle lawn.
To get to the castle from U.S. Highway 54, turn onto state Road D and continue for approximately 1.8 miles. Then, turn right onto Castle Ruins Road.
Plan to arrive early, as there is a short hike from the parking lot to the seating area. Provided seating is limited, so guests should bring their own. - Friday, July 25, at 9 p.m. – Owl Prowl at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Why do some predators generally hunt only during the day while others prefer to hunt at night? What adaptations are necessary for being one of the top nighttime predators? We will discover this and much more as we go on the prowl for owls during this night hike at the park.
Participants will learn who’s who in the world of owls and what features make owls fierce and effective nighttime predators. Afterward, we will attempt to call in an owl.
This program will begin at the Post Office Shelter at 9 p.m. To get to the Post Office Shelter from Highway 54, turn onto state Road D and continue for approximately 2.3 miles. The shelter will be on your left. - Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. – Nature Bingo at Prairie State Park.
Instead of “BINGO,” this game uses the word “NATURE,” and instead of calling out numbers and letters, a staff member will give a fact about an animal, plant or fungus. Participants will have the opportunity to guess what is being described; when someone fills in a column or row with correct guesses, that person wins a prize.
Nature Bingo will take place inside the Regal Tallgrass Prairie Nature Center at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines. This activity is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. - Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. – Pollinator Garden Workday at Roaring River State Park.
The public is invited to join state park team members in restoring and maintaining the native plants pollinator garden at the Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center. Volunteers will discover the importance of cultivating native plants for pollinators, and they will get tips and ideas for creating pollinator gardens in their own yards. Each workday is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Volunteers are not required to stay for the entire event.)
Participants should wear comfortable clothes they don’t mind getting dirty and bring garden gloves, water, snacks, lunch and sunscreen. A garden kneeler may also come in handy. All tools will be provided. Registration is not required, but returning volunteers will be asked to sign up in the Missouri State Parks volunteer system. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent form. This form can be completed and signed at the nature center. Roaring River State Park is located at 12716 Farm Road 2239 in Cassville. - Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m. – Regal Prairie Natural Area Saunter at Prairie State Park.
Missouri’s designated natural areas represent some of the best – and last – examples of our state’s original landscapes. You’re invited to explore one of these areas during a guided saunter on Gayfeather Trail at Prairie State Park. This 1.5-mile trail traverses the former Regal Prairie Natural Area. This natural area was eventually combined with three others to form Regal Tallgrass Prairie Natural Area, which today comprises more than 90% of the park.
The saunter will begin at the Gayfeather Trail trailhead on 150th Lane. This event is free and open to the public, and there is no registration. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy footwear and bring water, snacks, insect repellent, a hat and sunscreen. Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines.
For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. 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.