JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 4, 2026 – Check out the many activities happening across Missouri’s state parks and historic sites.
Check out the many activities happening across Missouri’s state parks and historic sites.
• Saturday May 9, at 2 p.m. – The Mighty Mills at Bennett Spring State Park.
From the mid-1800s until the turn of the century, a series of mills sprung up in what is now Bennett Spring State Park. How many mills were there during this period? How did they work? Join us for this free program to find out. Meet at the nature center at 26250 Highway 64A in Lebanon.
• Saturday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Kids Fishing Day at Roaring River State Park.
Roaring River State Park will host its annual Kids Fishing Day on Saturday, May 16. During this event, visitors age 15 and under have the opportunity to fish for free in a specially designated area of the park. To participate, each youth must first obtain a free trout tag available at the Roaring River Hatchery office the day before the event, and at the large tent across from the falls during the event. Missouri Department of Conservation staff and volunteers will be on-site all day to offer tips and assistance. A limited supply of bait and loaner poles will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own gear if possible. While parents and guardians are welcome to help their children, only one pole may be used between the helper and the child. To keep the focus on the kids, adults are not permitted to fish on their own in the designated youth area. Roaring River State Park is located at 12716 Farm Road 2239, Cassville.
• Saturday, May 16, from 1-3 p.m. – Kids to Parks Day at Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site.
Come visit the Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead as they celebrate Kids to Parks Day. Activities include storytelling with Bob Daniels. Daniels has the ability to transport his audience to times and places where stories were passed down by families through generations. This event will also feature old-time activities such as corn shelling and rope making. The activities will take place outside around the Boone home. While at the historic site, visitors are invited to explore the site’s four miles of hiking trails, enjoy a picnic lunch at the shelter or fish in the pond. A valid fishing permit is required for most anglers between the ages of 15 and 65. See page 4 of the Missouri Department of Conservation’s 2026 fishing regulations booklet for more information at A Summary of Missouri Fishing Regulations 2026.
• Saturday, May 30, at 2 p.m. – Missouri Raptors at Bennett Spring State Park.
Bennett Spring State Park will welcome representatives from the Dickerson Park Zoo for a free program highlighting various raptors of the Missouri. The event will feature live birds and will take place either inside the nature center or just outside the nature center. Due to safety concerns, pets will not be allowed at the program, even if it takes place outside. This event is open to the public, and there is no need to register. Bennett Spring State Park is located at 26250 Highway 64A, Lebanon.
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.
