JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 18, 2024 – Fall fun abounds at Missouri state parks and historic sites. From Halloween hikes to spooktacular events, there’s something for everyone!
Friday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m. – Halloween Night Hike at Mastodon State Historic Site.
Celebrate Halloween with a family-friendly night hike at Mastodon State Historic Site! Participants will cover some non-spooky Halloween topics. Don’t worry – no jump scares here! Meet at the start of the Spring Branch Trail, located in the picnic area at 1800 Seckman Road in Imperial. From there, participants will hike the 0.8-mile loop, featuring an accessible packed gravel surface. Those attending are invited to wear a non-scary, family friendly Halloween costume. Costume or not, you should come dressed for the weather and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and bring a flashlight. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call or text 636-215-9784 or visit icampmo.com.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. – Spooktacular Halloween at Meramec State Park.
Meramec State Park is hosting its annual Spooktacular Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 19. Join the park team for a coloring contest, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, a movie and more! This will be held in the park campground at 115 Meramec Park Drive in Sullivan. The event is free, open to the public and registration is not required.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – International Archaeology Day at Mastodon State Historic Site.
Celebrate International Archaeology Day at Mastodon State Historic Site. All the free interpretive programs will be accessible from the museum parking lot at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
Registration is required for the Archaeological Evidence program, but not for the afternoon programs. Starting at 10 a.m. in the museum auditorium, visitors can learn about archaeological evidence with a hands-on program. Participants will learn how to order evidence and how to sort facts from inferences and opinions. They will also have the opportunity to interpret a mock archaeology site. This program is designed for families with elementary-aged children, but all are welcome. Space is limited and registration is required and can be done by calling or texting 636-215-9784. At 1 p.m., guests can discover archaeological sites around the world in this interpreter-led presentation, “Archaeology Around the World.” From 3 - 4 p.m., try your hand at the ancient hunting technique of atlatl throwing. In the event of rain or other inclement weather, this program will be canceled.
Saturday, Oct. 19, noon – 3 p.m. – Bones, Graveyards and Burials at First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site.
The leaves are falling, winds are howling, and ghostly spirits are calling in St. Charles, Missouri. It’s the perfectly creepy, chilly time of year to join the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site team and archaeologist for an eerie program exploring mysterious customs and the stranger side of burials. So, come learn about the interestingly spooky secrets beneath your feet and beyond! Presenters will cover topics ranging from specific challenges archaeologists face when they come across a burial, to the difference between a graveyard and a cemetery, to the history of the expression “saved by the bell.” Throughout the program, they will discuss local burials and archaeological digs that occurred right here in St. Charles. Members of the Archaeological Institute of America will also be on hand providing programs in honor of International Archaeology Day. Join the free program in the backyard of the historic site located at 200 S. Main St. in St. Charles.
Monday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Homeschool Hour: Outdoor Literature at Mastodon State Historic Site.
Homeschoolers are invited to join the team at Mastodon State Historic Site for fun, educational activities. Each Homeschool Hour has two time slots, with the 10 a.m. slot for all ages, while the 1 p.m. slot is strictly for homeschoolers ages 10 and up and includes more advanced activities. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, call 636-464-2976 or visit icampmo.com (morning session) or icampmo.com (afternoon session). The majority of this session will take place outside, so dress appropriately. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. – Toddler Thursdays at Mastodon State Historic Site.
Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site. Designed for toddlers and their grown-ups, Toddler Thursdays focus on different topics and include activities and a craft. Join the team in the museum auditorium at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive.
Thursday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. – St. Francois Adventure School: Bugs at St. Francois State Park.
Our world is full of fascinating bugs. Homeschoolers and their adults are invited to join the park naturalists to get an up-close look at some of our tiny friends that have six, eight or more legs! The day begins at 9:45 a.m. with check-in at the campground amphitheater, followed by the first portion of the program at 10 a.m. After a discussion on the diverse world of insects, spiders and other arthropods, we will head out on Swimming Deer Trail to see if we can get a bug bingo. Students ages 5-8 will have a 0.25-mile hike while students ages 9-14 will have a 2-mile hike. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, especially on the trail. Strollers will not be allowed on the trail. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, call 573-358-2173 or visit icampmo.com (ages 5-8) or icampmo.com (ages 9-14). St. Francois State Park is located at 8920 U.S. Highway 67 N. in Bonne Terre.
Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. – 10 a.m. – Babler’s Halloween Weekend at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.
This event is free, open to the public and registration is not required. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood.
The weekend schedule follows:
Saturday, Oct. 26
10 a.m. – Wile E. Coyote – Speed on over to the park to learn about Missouri’s wiliest mammals yet: coyotes. Meet at the visitor center at 10 a.m.
2 p.m. – Slither Me Timbers – Slither on over to meet one of Babler’s resident snakes and learn more about snakes, including how they are beneficial to you. Meet at the visitor center.
4-8 p.m. – Babler’s Howl-oween – Trick-or-treating will be at the visitor center.
8 p.m. – Camper Judging – Any camper who wants to participate in the Halloween decorating contest will be rated by a panel of judges. Judging starts at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27
10 a.m. – Batty Business – Join an interpreter in learning about Missouri’s only flying mammals. Meet at the visitor center.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 5-8 p.m. – St. Francois Halloween at St. Francois State Park.
Everyone is invited to partake in some Halloween fun at the St. Francois State Park campground at 8920 U.S. Highway 67 N in Bonne Terre, Missouri. From 5-6 p.m., there will be a costume contest. The costume contest photo booth will run from 5-6 p.m. at the campground amphitheater stage, so stop by and get entered in the contest. There will be five categories: 0-3 years old, 4-7 years old, 8-12 years old, 13 years and older, and best group costume. Please keep the costumes family-friendly. From 6:30-8 p.m., trick-or-treating is open to the general public and will take place in the park campground. Driving through the campground will not be permitted during these hours. Participating campsites will be given a Halloween placard to post. Campers are responsible for providing their own candy to hand out and trick-or-treaters should bring a flashlight and bag for candy. At 8 p.m., the best decorated campsite award will be presented.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Rural Heritage Day at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site.
Join the fun at Ste. Genevieve’s annual Rural Heritage Day. This festival celebrates rural Ste. Genevieve and features activities that allow participants to explore the area’s cultural history. Activities include free self-guided tours of the Felix Vallé House at 198 Merchant St. in Ste. Genevieve as well as live demonstrations and hands-on activities in the Shaw House courtyard. This is a communitywide event with multiple locations in downtown Ste. Genevieve hosting public programs.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 - 8 p.m. – Halloween Hootenanny at Washington State Park.
Come out to Washington State Park, located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto, for the park’s annual Halloween Hootenanny.
This year’s event schedule is as follows:
2 p.m. – Web Master: Nature’s Greatest Artist – Join the park team at the amphitheater for a closer look at the life of an arachnid. Journey through the different species and have a closer look at Missouri spiders.
4 p.m. – Haunted Happenings – Meet in front of the showerhouse, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy popcorn around the campfire as the park team shares spooky stories.
6 p.m. – Masks and Mayhem – Campers and non-campers alike are invited to dress up and meet at Campsite #2, and trick or treat their way around the campground loop. Registered campers are also invited to participate in the campsite decorating contest.
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.
