Kid’s Fishing Day at Wallace State Park on June 20

Kid’s Fishing Day at Wallace State Park will be held on Saturday, June 20. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation, the event will start at 9 a.m. and children aged 5 to 12 can fish for free. The event will be held at Lake Allaman in the park, and will run until12 p.m.

Fishing poles will be provided to the first 40 kids to register that morning. Kids that bring their own poles do not need to register. Bait and assistance will be provided. Parents are encouraged to attend. A nature display and drawings for prizes will take place at the Open Shelterhouse.

Wallace State Park is located six miles south of Cameron on Highway 121. From Interstate 35, take Exit 48, go south on Highway 69 for one-half mile, and then take Highway 121 for one mile to park entrance. For more information about the event, contact the park at 816-632-3745. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit www.mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Missouri State Parks invites everyone to Great American Backyard Campout June 22

Topographic featuers and public lands in the vicinity of Johnson's Shut-ins State Park and Taum Sauk State Park in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missouri State Parks invites you to experience an outdoor adventure under the stars with friends and family on June 22 during the Great American Backyard Campout.

The Great American Backyard Campout is a nationwide initiative by the National Wildlife Federation to encourage families and communities to reconnect and experience the outdoors. To help you celebrate, Missouri State Parks is offering special programs and activities to make this night one to remember.

"Whether it’s your first time camping or you’re following a long-standing tradition, the Great American Backyard Campout is a great opportunity for families to get outdoors and experience nature,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “There are a variety of events at parks and historic sites throughout the state to give you the chance to come out and enjoy a fun camping adventure.”    

Activities will vary from park to park with programs ranging from night hikes and camping demonstrations to overnight campouts and storytelling. Programs will appeal to all ages, including kids who may be experiencing nature for the first time. All parks will offer a camping tradition — sitting around a campfire and making and enjoying s'mores. Some programs are offered during the day and other parks offer overnight camping. Call the individual parks or visit mostateparks.com for more details.

Following are the parks and historic sites participating in this year's Great American Backyard Campout.

• Trail of Tears State Park, Jackson, 573-290-5268.
• Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial, 636-464-2976.
• Fort Davidson State Historic Site, Pilot Knob, 573-546-3454.
• Crowder State Park, Trenton, 660-359-6473.
• Wallace State Park, Cameron, 816- 632-374.
• Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook, 573-546-2450.
• Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson, 573-856-4514.
• Pomme de Terre State Park, Pittsburg, 417-745-6909.
• Roaring River State Park, Cassville, 417-847-3742.
• Weston Bend State Park, Weston, 816-640-5443.
• Current River State Park, Salem, 573-858-3015.
• Van Meter State Park, Miami, 660-886-7537.
• First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles, 636-940-3322.
• Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and Historic Site, Lawson, 816-580-3387.
• Felix Vallé House State Historic Site, Ste. Genevieve, 573-883-7102.

A visit to any of these state parks is also a great opportunity to log miles as a part of the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles challenge. 

To celebrate Missouri’s distinction as the “Best Trails State” by American Trails and to encourage Missourians to enjoy the outdoors, Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon are inviting Missourians to join them in completing 100 Missouri Miles of outdoor physical activity by the end of the year.

For more information and to take the Challenge, visit 100MissouriMiles.com. Participants can also share adventures, post photos and learn about upcoming events by connecting with 100 Missouri Miles on Facebook and Twitter.

If you are not planning to go to a state park for a special program on June 22, visit any Missouri state park this summer and begin your own camping tradition with family and friends. For more information about the 40 state parks with campgrounds, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Kids’ Fishing Day to be held June 15 at Wallace State Park

Kids’ Fishing Day, sponsored by Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will be held Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at Wallace State Park near Cameron.

Kids ages 5 to 12 can cast their lines into the park’s lake. Fishing poles will be

provided to the first 40 kids to register, or participants can bring their own poles and forgo registration. Bait and assistance will be provided. The event will also feature a nature display and drawings for prizes.

Kids’ Fishing Day is also a great opportunity to log miles as a part of the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles challenge.

To celebrate Missouri’s distinction as the “Best Trails State” by American Trails and to encourage Missourians to enjoy the outdoors, Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon are inviting Missourians to join them in completing 100 Missouri Miles of outdoor physical activity by the end of the year.

For more information and to take the Challenge, visit 100MissouriMiles.com. Participants can also share adventures, post photos and learn about upcoming events by connecting with 100 Missouri Miles on Facebook and Twitter.

Wallace State Park is located seven miles south of Cameron on Highway 121. For more information about the event, contact the park at 816-632-3745. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Wallace State Park Kids Fishing Day

Fishing poles available for the first 40 kids who arrive! Bait and fishing help and tips free of charge.

Kids of all ages are urged to enjoy a day set aside just for them to fish. Kid’s Fishing Day will be held Saturday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Wallace State Park near Cameron.

Kids ages 5 to 12 can cast their lines into the park’s lake and try their luck at catching the first fish of the day. Fishing poles will be provided to the first 40 kids to register that morning. Kids that bring their own poles do not need to register. Bait and assistance will be provided and parents are encouraged to attend.

This free event is sponsored by Missouri State Parks and the Missouri Department of Conservation. A nature display and drawings for prizes will take place at the park’s open shelter house.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wallace State Park is located seven miles south of Cameron on Highway 121. From Interstate 35, take Exit 48, go south on Highway 69 for one-half mile, and then take Highway 121 for one mile to park entrance. For more information about the event, contact the park at 816-632-3745. For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Lewis and Clark State Park reopens day-use area

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visitors to northwest Missouri have a new destination for an afternoon outing with the reopening of the day-use area at Lewis and Clark State Park near Rushville.

According to Missouri State Parks, the reopened areas include the playground, boat ramp, open shelter, interpretive plaza and picnic area. The campground and the beach (including the showerhouse) remain closed until further notice.

The park, located on an oxbow lake near the Missouri River, was closed last summer because of flooding from the river’s rising water levels.

Although the campground at Lewis and Clark State Park remains temporarily closed, there are other state parks in northwest Missouri that are open to campers. These include Wallace State Park near Cameron, Weston Bend State Park near Weston and Watkins Woolen Mill State Park near Lawson. For more information about these parks, visit mostateparks.com.

Lewis and Clark State Park is located 20 miles southwest of St. Joseph at 801 Lake Crest Blvd. in Rushville. For more information about the park, call the park at 816-579-5564 or visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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Potential flooding temporarily closes Big Lake State Park

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 7, 2011 – Big Lake State Park in northwest Missouri is closed in anticipation of possible flooding from rising water levels from the Missouri River. Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Park officials closed the park June 6 and will continue to evaluate the situation to determine when the park can reopen.

             “We have been working closely with federal, state and local officials and monitoring anticipated river levels to determine if and when water may impact Big Lake State Park,” said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director. “Based on the latest predictions, we decided to close the park and prepare for the approaching water,” Bryan added.

Because of its location on an oxbow lake near the Missouri River, Big Lake State Park has experienced flooding in the past and has plans in place for how to deal with flooding situations. In anticipation of the flooding, campers and lodging guests who had reservations were notified that the park is closed and refunds issued. Park staff began removing furniture and other items and shutting off utilities. Staff will continue to monitor the situation and reopen the park when it is safe for visitors to return.

Although Big Lake State Park is temporarily closed, there are other state parks in northwest Missouri that are open for campers and other visitors. These include Wallace State Park near Cameron, Weston Bend State Park near Weston and Watkins Mill State Park and State Historic Site near Lawson. For information about these state parks, visit mostateparks.com.

To check the status of Big Lake State Park or for more information about Missouri state parks, go to mostateparks.com or call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (TDD).  To inquire about reservations for the motel and cabins, call 660-442-5432.