JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Missouri state parks and historic sites plan movies, concerts, cave tours and other fun-filled events for June.
- Thursday, July 3 at 1:30 p.m. – ASL Tour of Onondaga Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park.
Members of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community are invited to enjoy a tour of the park’s namesake feature: Onondaga Cave. This 90-minute tour will be led by a park tour guide and feature assistance from two American Sign Language interpreters. Guests will not only experience the natural wonders of the cave but also learn about its history, geology and biology.
The tour path is just under 1 mile in length. There are lighted pathways along the route, but there are a few steep inclines. In addition, the cave has a year-round temperature of 57 degrees. Guests are encouraged to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring a light jacket. Participants will meet at the visitor center at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg. Cost for the tour is $23 for ages 13 and up, $13 for ages 6-12 and no charge for children ages 5 and under.. - Summer Concert Series at Echo Bluff State Park.
Join us at Echo Bluff State Park for our 2025 concert series. Bring a lawn chair, quilt or blanket and enjoy a free concert under the stars. All concerts take place in the amphitheater at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence.- Friday, July 4 at 8 p.m. – Blake Gardner and The Farmers. Echo Bluff veterans Blake Gardner and The Farmers will help celebrate Independence Day with a concert on July 4.
- Saturday, July 5 at 8 p.m. – Brandy Lee. Having performed at Echo Bluff in 2023, Brandy Lee is back to sing a mixture of cover songs and originals in a variety of genres.
- Saturday, July 5 at dusk – Movie in the Park: “Uncharted” at Lake Wappapello State Park.
Lake Wappapello State Park is hosting a free movie at the amphitheater, located at 8005 State Highway 172 in Williamsville. The movie will begin at dusk. - Thursday, July 10 at 6 p.m. – Women Outdoors: Kayaking at Current River State Park.
Women 16 and older and invited to get in the water and learn some basics of paddling. This hands-on class is taught by women for women and will be meeting at the tennis court at Current River State Park, 11053 County Road 19D in Salem. Participants should wear items they don’t mind getting wet and bring a change of clothes and shoes. A limited supply of life jackets will be available; anyone who has their own is encouraged to bring them. Registration is required and can be done by calling 573-751-1224or emailing weber@dnr.mo.gov. Participation is limited to 15 women. - Saturday, July 12 at 8:30 p.m. Cathedral Cave Night Tour at Onondaga Cave State Park.
The Onondaga Friends Association is hosting a nighttime tour of Cathedral Cave. This tour consists of a guided walk to and through the cave. Tours depart from the campground woodlot at 8:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. The walk to the cave covers about a quarter mile on Deer Run Trail and the round-trip cave tour is about two-thirds of a mile. The trails are occasionally hilly and slippery. The cave has a year-round temperature of 57 degrees. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes with good traction and bring a light jacket. Flashlights will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own. Each tour has maximum of 25 participants. You can purchase tickets at orgor pay with cash upon arrival. Cost is $15 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 6-12 and no charge for children ages 5 and under. To register, call 573-522-3760. Onondaga Cave State Park is located at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg. - Sunday, July 20 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Onondaga Cave Photo Tours at Onondaga Cave State Park.
Amateur photographers are invited to go on a photo tour of Onondaga Cave. Sponsored by the Onondaga Friends Association, these extended tours include extra time for photos to be taken at specific locations along the tour route. Each tour will begin at the visitor center at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, 57°F temperature year-round and humidity nearing 100%. Participants should dress warmly and wear closed-toe shoes. They should also bring their own photography equipment, as none will be provided. Cave tour fees apply. There is a maximum of 30 participants per tour and advance registration is preferred and can be done by calling 573-522-1860. - Sunday, July 20 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Interpretive Kayaking at Current River State Park.
Do you enjoy kayaking, birding and journaling? Combine the three and take them to the next level with interpretive kayaking. Never birded or spent time journaling before? No problem. This is still the class for you. During our journey, we will make multiple stops to enjoy, explore, discover and connect with our natural surroundings. As part of this class, you will receive a nature journal starter kit and a unique experience. The float starts at Current River State Park and concludes at Round Spring, about 4 miles away. Kayaks and life jackets will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Participants are encouraged to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, lunch, snacks, binoculars, closed-toe shoes, a change of clothes and plenty of water. No glass bottles or alcohol will be allowed. There is no charge, but class is limited to 10 participants and registration is required. Participants must be at least 16 years of age, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call Connie at 573-751-1224or email weber@dnr.mo.gov. Current River State Park is located at 11053 County Road 19D in Salem. - Saturday, July 26 at 9 p.m. – Starry Sky Nights at Onondaga Cave State Park.
The public is invited to meet in front of the visitor center at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg to view the unobstructed night sky. Visitors will learn about some of the objects that can be seen. Astronomy experts will be demonstrating the use of telescopes and identifying stars and planets. The program is subject to rescheduling due to poor viewing conditions. Register online at comto receive updates about the program. - Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Cathedral Cave Off-Trail Tour at Onondaga Cave State Park.
Onondaga Cave State Park is hosting a series of off-trail tours of Cathedral Cave. These tours are perfect for anyone who wants a more intense cave experience, one that goes beyond the lighted tour with rails and trails. Each tour is led by an experienced guide and requires participants to climb, crawl and get a little muddy. Visitors will spend up to five hours in the cave, learning about its geology, biology and history. Each tour is limited to 15 people ages 10 and up and registration is required. Cost is $70 per adult and $50 per child. Safety is our top priority. All interested guests will be asked some questions to determine whether they will be able to complete the tour, and they will be shown a video of what to expect inside the cave. The guide will send a list of items to bring, and caving helmets will be provided. To register, call 573-522-3760. Onondaga Cave State Park is located at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg.
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.