JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 10, 2025 – Northeast Missouri state parks and historic sites have planned activities for the whole family.

  • Saturday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. – Archaeology Day at Thousand Hills State Park.
    Join the park team, archaeologists and volunteers for a fun day learning about archaeology! There will be a variety of free interactive activities to enjoy. This free event takes place at the beach parking lot at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
     
  • Tuesdays, Sept. 16, 23 and 30 at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. – Toddler Tuesday at Crowder State Park.
    Toddlers and their grown-ups are invited to join park staff at the Camp Grand River Recreation Hall every Tuesday for a nature book reading, a craft and an additional activity. There will be a different theme and a different set of activities each week. These events are free and there is no need to register. Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128 in Trenton.
     
  • Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21 – Dutch Oven Cooking Contest at Crowder State Park.
    Register for the Dutch oven cooking contest by 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, by calling the park office at 660-359-6473 or speaking with the host at check in. You will need to provide your name and campsite number, the type of entry (youth or adult) and the categories that you wish to enter (main meal, chili or soup, dessert, sides or bread). Registration is required.
    • Friday Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.
      Check in to your reserved campsite! Dust off your Dutch ovens and check your supplies for your favorite Dutch oven recipes.
    • Saturday Sept. 20 – Walk around the campground! See and smell what everyone else is making.
      • 10 a.m. to noon – Dutch oven demonstration at Campsite 6 – Park staff will prepare their favorite dishes and give hints for outdoor cooking.
      • Noon to 2 p.m. – Campground-wide potluck – Bring your Dutch ovens to Site 6 for judging and to share with your fellow campers! Park staff will prepare their favorite dishes to share! Trade hints and recipes with everyone.
      • 2 p.m. – Winners will be announced at Campsite 6.
    • Sunday, Sept. 21
      Pack up and head home with new recipes to try at your next campout. 

  • Friday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. – Petroglyph Tours at Thousand Hills State Park.
    Thousand Hills State Park is home to a collection of rock carvings, or petroglyphs, made by ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Explore the petroglyphs with park staff to learn more about this unique piece of history. The tour will take place at the petroglyph shelter, located next to the beach at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville. 
    Saturday, Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. – Archaeology Day at Graham Cave State Park.
    Visitors of all ages are encouraged to celebrate Missouri Archaeology Month at the site of one of our most archeologically significant caves. On Jan. 20, 1961, Graham Cave became the first archaeological site in the United States to be designated a National Historical Landmark.

    Park staff and partners invite you to come out to the park and enjoy a variety of archaeology-themed games, activities and displays. See demonstrations of Dutch oven cooking and try your hand at ancient skills like making fishhooks from bone and throwing darts with an atlatl. The atlatl is a tool that was used by early humans worldwide for hunting prior to the invention of the bow and arrow. Archaeologists have found atlatls on every continent except Antarctica.

    This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Activities will take place in the Lower Picnic Area and near the cave entrance. Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Graham Cave State Park is located at 217 Highway TT in Danville. 

  • Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. – Reptile Program at Thousand Hills State Park.
    Join us at Thousand Hills State Park to learn why reptiles are important and which ones can be found at the park. You may have the chance to meet live animals at these events. The program is scheduled to take place at the amphitheater in Campground 1, but you do not have to be a camper to attend. The event may be canceled or moved inside if there is inclement weather. Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
    Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. – Dark Sky Program at Thousand Hills State Park.
    Join park staff and representatives from Truman State University at the Point Shelter at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville to explore the stars and sky above you.

    Telescopes will be set up, but everyone is welcome to bring telescopes of their own, along with chairs, blankets and binoculars.

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 State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Graphic for a Dutch Oven Cooking Contest at Crowder State Park, Missouri, Sept. 19-21, 2025, featuring a Dutch oven filled with food.

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