JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 4, 2026 – An incredible lineup of activities awaits you at Missouri state parks and historic sites this month.
- Saturday, May 16, from 1-4 p.m. – Grave Care Basics: Preservation through Cleaning at Confederate Memorial State Historic Site.
Representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office will present a free hands-on grave presentation workshop at the historic site’s Confederate Home Cemetery. The workshop is open to anyone interested in preserving a piece of local history while learning how to clean historic headstones in a safe, effective and respectful manner. Instructors will provide information about which tools and cleaning solutions to use – and which ones to avoid – while also sharing general preservation tips. Cleaning solution, brushes, gloves and safety glasses will be provided. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can get dirty. They are also encouraged to bring drinking water, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, hats, kneeling pads and camp chairs. Space is limited, and online registration at icampmo.com is required. Confederate Memorial State Historic Site is located at 211 W. First St. in Higginsville.
- Saturday, May 16, at 9 p.m. – Citizen Science: Sky Quality Meter Reading at Knob Noster State Park.
Join the park naturalist for this free program to learn about sky quality meter readings and why dark skies are important to wildlife. Meet inside the visitor center for a brief tutorial before heading out to conduct sky quality meter readings at seven locations throughout the park. The naturalist will lead this caravan around the park. The event is open to the public, and registration is not required. The program is subject to cancelation due to rain or cloud cover. Knob Noster State Park is located at 873 SE 10 in Knob Noster.
- Saturday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m. – Learn about Boats at Big Lake State Park.
Come and explore Big Lake as we use wooden boats to race on the cool sand and water table. Big Lake State Park is located at 204 Lake Shore Drive in Craig.
The primary source of funding for the state park system is half of the dedicated constitutional tax of one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax. The tax provides about three-fourths of the division's budget for operation and development of state parks. All additional funding for Missouri's Division of State Parks comes from revenues generated in the state park system and some federal funds. 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’s Division of State Parks is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
