JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 16, 2023 – Ha Ha Tonka State Park will host lots of events throughout July that are fun and educational for the whole family.

  • Explorer Day, July 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Ha Ha Tonka will host a series interpretive programs running throughout the park. Beginning at the visitor center, participants will grab an Explorer Card and make their way to the programs. Completing three of the programs and the activities with them will allow participants to earn the State Parks Explorer Patch! The patch may be earned individually or as a group. There is no cost to participate. Meet at the park’s Visitor Center to start your adventure.
     
  • Baskets and Blackberries, July 8 from 7 to 9 p.m.: Join us for a relaxing evening of basket weaving. We will explore the wild edible fruits Missouri has to offer while weaving baskets that can be used to collect them. Recipes for these wild delicacies will be available and participants are encouraged to bring their own recipes to share as well.

    There is limited space for this free event and registration is required. Registration will open one week before the date of the event. To register, visit icampmo.com and search for activities at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

    Participants should meet at the park’s visitor center at 7 p.m. The visitor center is located at 1491 state Road D, approximately 1.5 miles from Highway 54.
     
  • Public Meeting, July 14 at 6 p.m.: The public is invited to a town hall-style public meeting in the park’s Lake Shelter. Representatives from Missouri State Parks will be on hand to provide information about the park and answer questions. Attendees are invited to share comments about the park and its operations.

    Input from the public is important to Missouri State Parks. Public meetings are held for all state parks and historic sites and help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give park representatives the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the parks and sites, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.
     
  • The Great Ha Ha Tonka Trivia Challenge, July 15 from 7 to 9 p.m.: The park will host a trivia challenge in its visitor center, offering fun for park regulars and people who are new to the park. Everyone has heard about Ha Ha Tonka's castle on the bluff, but what about it? When was it built? How did it burn? Learn this and more as you compete in the Great Ha Ha Tonka Trivia Challenge!
     
  • Island Cave Adventure, July 22 from 7 to 9 p.m.: Join us for a fun evening of adventure as we explore Island Cave. Along the way, we will learn about the animals that call this impressive habitat home. This is a natural cave and therefore contains rough edges and tight spaces. Interested parties should be in good physical condition and each participant must have a flashlight, full-length pants and closed-toe shoes.

    This event is free and open to the public; however, space is limited, and registration is required. Participants must be at least 6 years of age. Registration will open one week before the event date. To register, visit icampmo.com and search for activities at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

    Participants should meet at the lake parking lot at 7 p.m. and hike to the Mill Shelter, where there will be a discussion on bats and cave etiquette before entering the cave. To get to the lake parking lot from U.S. Highway 54, turn onto state Road D and continue for approximately 2.7 miles to Tonka Spring Road. The lake parking lot is on the right.
     
  • Night Hike: The Spring After Dark, July 29 from 8:45 to 9:45 p.m.: All are welcome to join us for a hike to the park’s spring after dark. We will explore the world of nocturnal animals, analyzing their amazing adaptations for life at night and seeing how our senses compare. A hike down Spring Trail after dark will reveal who gets up when the sun goes down. 

    Participants should meet at the Spring Trailhead in the lake parking lot. To get to the lake parking lot from U.S. Highway 54, turn onto state Road D and continue for approximately 2.7 miles to Tonka Spring Road. The lake parking lot is on the right.

    There is limited space for this free event and registration is required. Registration will open one week before the event date. To register, visit icampmo.com and search for activities at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located at 1491 State Road D in Camdenton. For more information, call 573-346-2986.

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.

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