Wildflower Hike at Prairie State Park June 14

As summer gets started, the prairie is ablaze with color. Join a park naturalist on Saturday, June 14 at 10

a.m. at the Prairie State Park Nature Center in Mindenmines for a walk among green grasses and colorful flowers to learn more about the amazing prairie ecosystem.

It is suggested that visitors dress for the weather and hiking across the prairie. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended as well as insect repellant. The hike will last about two hours covering one and a half to two miles.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines. For more information about the event, contact Prairie State Park at 417-843-6711. 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.

Learn about prairie wildlife at Prairie State Park Bison Hike on March 1

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visitors are invited to join a park naturalist at Prairie State Park in Mindenmines on a guided bison hike. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, the hike will take place on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m.

With spring around the corner, participants will explore the prairie while learning about bison. Hikers should be prepared for a two mile hike over uneven terrain and are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Hikers may want to bring water, snacks, insect repellent, a hat and sunscreen. Binoculars may also be useful for looking at bison and other wildlife that inhabit the prairie.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane in Mindenmines. For more information about the event, contact the park at 417-843-6711. For 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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Informational meeting at Route 66 State Park Oct. 26

 Meramec River as it flows past Route 66 State Park in St. Louis County, Missouri. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The public is invited to bring their ideas to an open house Saturday, Oct. 26 at Route 66 State Park near Eureka. The informational meeting will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the park’s visitor center and refreshments will be served.

Representatives from the park will be on hand to review recent activities and discuss future projects. Visitors will be invited to share comments regarding park operations and plans for development.  The informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure the public has input on services provided in state parks and historic sites.

The informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure the public has input on services provided in state parks and historic sites.

A visit to Route 66 State Park 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, Gov. 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.

Route 66 State Park is located two miles east of Eureka off Interstate 44 in St. Louis County. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the open house can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 636-938-7198. For 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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Informational meeting scheduled at Cuivre River State Park Oct. 26

The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Cuivre River State Park in Troy. The open house will be held at the Cuivre River Visitor’s Center at 6 p.m.

The meeting will include discussion of recent accomplishments at the park and projects completed by 2013 State Park Youth Corps workers. Park staff will discuss future plans and hold an informal question and answer session. Visitors are invited to share comments on the park and its facilities. This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by the Missouri State Parks to ensure that citizens have input on facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

A visit to Cuivre River State Park 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.

Cuivre River State Park is located 3 miles east of Troy on highway 47. Individuals requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the Cuivre River State Park directly at 636-528-7247. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Informational meeting planned at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park Oct. 11

The public is invited to bring their ideas to an informational meeting on Friday, Oct. 11, at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Black River Center.

Recent accomplishments at the park and future plans will be highlighted during the meeting. Visitors are invited to share comments on the park’s services and operations. This informational meeting is part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure citizens have input regarding the facilities and services offered in state parks and historic sites.

A visit to Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park 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, Gov. 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.

Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is located 13 miles south of Pilot Knob on Hwy N. Individuals requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the park directly at 573-546-2450. For 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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Party at the Park at Long Branch State Park July 4

Visitors are invited to Party at the Park at Long Branch State Park on July 4 from 3 to 8 p.m. prior to the Annual Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Fireworks

Celebration. The event will include a brief welcome and introduction to the park, sandcastle building contest, three-legged race, water-balloon toss and bubble gum blowing contest. Concessions will be available at the Marina Store throughout the event.

The day will also include a Little Mr. and Miss Long Branch pageant. Participants for the pageant should be between the ages of 4-7 years old, wear patriotic attire and be prepared to answer one of two questions: “Who is your hero?,” or “What is your favorite thing about the Fourth of July?” Contestants need to sign up on July 4 by 6 p.m. in the Long Branch Marina Store and arrive at the North Shelter by 6:45 p.m. Ribbons will be awarded.

Party at the Park is also a great opportunity to log miles as a part of the Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles challenge on one the park’s three hiking trails.

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.

Long Branch State Park is located two miles west of the U.S. Highway 63 and 36 junction in Macon County. For more information about the event, call the park at 660-773-5229. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit www.mostateparks.com. 

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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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Missouri State Parks hosts bison hike Aug. 4 at Prairie State Park

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Experience seeing one of our most magnificent mammals on its native prairie habitat during a bison hike Aug. 4 at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this free hike will begin at 10 a.m. at the visitor center.

During the hike, participants will learn about bison biology, Native American uses, herd dynamics, prairies and much more. The hike could last at least one hour and possibly longer depending on the location of the bison herd.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, in Barton County. To register or to get additional information about the event, contact the park at 417-843-6711. For 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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Missouri State Parks hosts Explorer Camp July 28 at Prairie State Park

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Become a Missouri State Park Explorer and earn a special patch at the Explorer Camp July 28 at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this year’s camp is titled Nature at Night and is open to the public.

The six-hour camp runs from 4 until 10 p.m. and will feature activities to help you learn about what happens on the prairie after dark. Once you complete the camp, you will meet all the requirements needed to earn the Missouri State Park Explorer Patch.

The Explorer Camp is free but registration is required by July 21. To register and get additional information about this camp, contact Prairie State Park at 417-843-6711.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines in Barton County. For 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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Missouri State Parks offers two new volunteer programs

Grand Gulf State Park in Missouri. The stream flowing into this cave at the bottom of Grand Gulf, a huge Ponor, resurfaces at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Groups and youth now have new ways to volunteer in Missouri state parks. The Adopt-a-Park and Youth Volunteer Patch programs have recently been added to the ways people can volunteer to improve Missouri state parks and historic sites.

The Missouri State Parks Adopt-a-Park Program gives families, organizations, youth groups, school groups and businesses the opportunity to support a Missouri state park or historic site. Areas within a park or historic site, such as trails, campgrounds, picnic areas and streams, can be adopted. Groups are asked to contribute 200 hours of service hours a year for two years. After completion of 100 hours, a sign will be put up at the park or historic site recognizing the group’s efforts. A list of adoptable areas at each facility is available online at mostateparks.com/page/59523/adopt-park-program. Check out the adoptable areas, and then contact the individual park or historic site to get started!

The Youth Volunteer Patch Program gives individuals under the age of 18 and organized youth groups, such as Scouts, 4-H groups and Future Farmers of America, the opportunity to assist with a variety of projects in a state park or historic site to earn patches. Lists of potential projects at each facility are available online at mostateparks.com/page/59696/youth-volunteer-patch-program. Groups or individuals should contact the park or historic site to arrange a day of service. Upon completion, each individual will receive a Missouri State Parks Youth Volunteer patch.

For more information about each program, go to the web pages listed above. 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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Missouri State Parks hosts bison hike at Prairie State Park on July 21

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Experience seeing one of our most magnificent mammals on its native prairie habitat during a bison hike July 21 at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this free hike will begin at 10 a.m. at the visitor center.

During the hike, participants will learn about bison biology, Native American uses, herd dynamics, prairies and much more. The hike could last at least one hour and possibly longer depending on the location of the bison herd.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, in Barton County. To register or to get additional information about the event, contact the park at 417-843-6711. For 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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Current River State Park offers opportunities for the public

Current River in Missouri (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you’re looking for a scenic and historic place to have a picnic or spend the afternoon fishing, try Current River State Park north of Eminence in Shannon County. While the park is under development, the area is open to day-use recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking and fishing each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 
 

Current River State Park, located along the banks of the Current River, is composed of the former Alton Club, a corporate retreat constructed in c. 1937-1945 for the Alton Box Board Co. The Alton Club contains dormitories, a large gymnasium, several support structures and recreational venues. The buildings reflect the influence of rustic architecture popular in camp and park buildings in the first half of the 20^th century. Missouri State Parks acquired the property in 2008. 


While development continues, the public can take advantage of the opportunities available. The park offers picnic sites with grills and tables. Two shelters are available by reserving them in advance at no fee. The park offers a 1.5-mile hiking trail and limited free tours of the historic buildings (gymnasium, lodge and some support buildings). Reservations for tours of the historic buildings must be made in advance. Restroom facilities consist of portable toilets.  

The park contains two small lakes where the public can fish and use small boats (trolling motors only). There are no boat ramps on the lakes so it will be necessary to carry boats to the water. Swimming and scuba diving are not permitted in the lakes. 


The park is located along Current River but there are currently no boat ramps along the river or watercraft rentals in the park. Visitors can access the river on their own to play or wade in the water.  

The park is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday and closed the rest of the week. Reservations for the shelters and tours can be made by calling the park office at 573-858-3015. Because the park is not fully open and the office has limited hours of operation, please allow time for your calls to be returned. Current River State Park is located north of Eminence off Highway 19.

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Missouri State Parks hosts open house June 27-28 for Don Robinson State Park

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Missouri State Parks will hold open houses June 27 and 28 to seek input about proposed development at the new Don Robinson State Park in Jefferson County. The meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 27 at Northwest High School in House Springs and from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday June 28 at Route 66 State Park in Eureka. The public is invited to attend. 
 

To protect and preserve a remarkable piece of land that he treasured and safeguarded most of his adult life, Don Robinson donated 843 acres to Missouri State Parks upon his death in March. His generous gift to all Missourians will become the 87^th state park. 

During the open houses, representatives from Missouri State Parks will have maps and photos of the property and answer any questions. The public is invited to share comments and ideas about plans for the park. Information from the meeting will be used in formulating proposals and long-range development objectives for the park. 


Following the meeting, the photos and maps will be available for review for two weeks on the web at mostateparks.com/park/don-robinson-state-park. An online comment card will allow public input. The public may also comment by emailing Missouri State Parks at moparks@dnr.mo.gov



The open houses are part of an ongoing effort by Missouri State Parks to ensure the public has input on facilities and services provided in state parks and historic sites. The Northwest High School is located in House Springs at 6005 Cedar Hill Road. Route 66 State Park is located at 97 North Outer Road, Eureka. People requiring special services or accommodations to attend the meeting can make arrangements by calling the department toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information on Missouri 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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Missouri State Parks hosts bison hike at Prairie State Park on June 23

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Experience seeing one of our most magnificent mammals on its native prairie habitat during a bison hike on June 23 at Prairie State Park near Mindenmines. Sponsored by Missouri State Parks, this free hike will begin at 10 a.m. at the visitor center.

During the hike, participants will learn about bison biology, Native American uses, herd dynamics, prairies and much more. The hike could last at least one hour and possibly longer depending on the location of the bison herd.

Prairie State Park is located at 128 NW 150th Lane, Mindenmines, in Barton County. To register or to get additional information about the event, contact the park at 417-843-6711. For 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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