JEFFERSON CITY, MO, APRIL 20, 2026 –A variety of events are slated for lake area state parks and historic sites.
• Thursday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. – Thursday Night Hike on Lake View Bend Trail at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.
Join the park team on Thursday, April 23, for a 1.5-mile hike on Lake View Bend Trail. The hike’s starting coordinates are as follows: 38.07618, -92.57070. This free event is open to the public, and registration is not required. Participants should bring water and snacks. Lake of the Ozarks State Park is located at 403 Highway 134 in Brumley.
• Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. – WIN: Women In Nature at Big Sugar Creek State Park.
Have you ever wanted to explore the great outdoors and meet others who share your interest? Women In Nature’s half-day hike at Big Sugar Creek State Park has everything you want. You make connections with other participants and explore multiple ways to experience nature. Your guides for the day will be female team members and volunteers with Missouri state parks. They will teach you the basics of identifying birds, flowers and more and encourage you to find your own connection with Big Sugar Creek State Park. Space is limited, and paid registration is required. Register at https://icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx. Participants should meet at Ozark Chinquapin Trail parking lot at Big Sugar Creek State Park, 62727 Big Sugar Creek Road, Pineville.
• Thursday, April 30, at 6 p.m. – Clifton Truman Daniel: Life with Harry and Bess at Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site.
Clifton Truman Daniel, the oldest grandson of former President Harry S Truman and first lady Bess Truman, will be in Lamar to share his memories of Harry and Bess. The presentation will take place at Thiebaud Auditorium, located at 105 E. 11th St., Lamar.
A meet and greet with Daniel begins at 6 p.m. in the auditorium’s meeting room. A $10 online registration is required for this portion of the event. Registration covers admission, one drink and light hors d’oeuvres. A cash bar will be available throughout the meet and greet. Please register at https://icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx. The presentation will begin at 7:15 p.m. Admission to the presentation is free, and registration is not required. Immediately after the presentation, there will be a fireworks display outside the auditorium.
• Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Truman Day at Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site.
Join our team as we celebrate the 142nd birthday of our nation’s 33rd president and the only president born in Missouri: Harry S Truman. Activities will include craft and food vendors, wagon rides, reenactments, live music, and kids’ games and crafts. There will also be birthday cake for all to enjoy. The event is free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Truman Day is sponsored by the Barton County Chamber of Commerce. Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site is located at 1009 Truman in Lamar.
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 https://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.
