JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 28, 2024 – If you’re in the Missouri State Parks St. Louis Region this summer, be sure to check out these activities at state parks and historic sites.

  • Monday, July 1, 15 and 29: Mondays at Mastodon State Historic Site
    Learn and have fun at Mondays at Mastodon! These free summer programs are designed for families with elementary-aged children, but all families are welcome. Most activities will take place outdoors. Participants should bring water and dress for the weather. Register by calling or texting 636-215-9784. The program runs from 11 a.m. to noon and is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
    • July 1: Writing in the Woods:
      Create your own nature journal and embark on a 0.8-mile hike with writing and drawing prompts. Meet in the picnic area.
    • July 15: Finding Fossils:
      Learn about the fossilization process, hike to the bone bed and make a fossil to take home. Meet at the museum entrance.
    • July 29: Glorious Games:
      Play fun recreational games outside. Warning: You may get wet! Meet in the picnic area.
       
  • Saturday, July 6: Park Animals: Habits and Habitats at Washington State Park
    Washington State Park team members will offer a tour of the petroglyphs, the park’s history carved in stone! Learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them and possible interpretations. Enjoy a short stroll on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features. Learn about the animals that have been memorialized in the stone.
    • “Habitats Show Habits” Hike at 4 p.m. in the Big River Day-Use Area
      Join us for a lesser-known hike along the Big River Road as we look for evidence of animals and discuss how animals’ behavior affects where they build their homes.
    • Reptile Rambles at 7 p.m. at the amphitheater
      Learn about some of the snakes and lizards you may encounter at the park.

The fun begins at 2 p.m. Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto.

  • Sunday, July 7: Secrets of the Chocolate Maker at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
    Join food historian and educator Melissa Blank to learn the history of the delectable delight that is chocolate. Dispel the myths of chocolate’s history and heritage during a hands-on demonstration of how chocolate was made and used. This program will highlight the impact chocolate has had on our collective food history, as well as its fascinating history and future. The program will take place at the visitor center at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood. The event is free, but registration is required and can be completed by visiting icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx and searching for activities at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park. The event begins at 2 p.m. and an American Sign Language interpreter will be present.
     
  • Monday, July 8: Creek Walk at Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
    Did you know that our waterways are home to their own unique ecological communities? Join interpreters at Sandy Creek to learn about the macroinvertebrate critters that call the creek home. Participants should meet at the bridge where an interpreter will lead the group along the creek. Participants will learn how to take biological samples and will get to wade through the creek with nets and other equipment. Be sure to wear shoes and clothing you are comfortable getting wet. The program is free and open to all ages, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, call 636-464-2976 or visit icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx. The event begins at 2 p.m. at 9090 Old Lemay Ferry Road in Hillsboro.
     
  • Wednesday, July 10: Fossil Frenzy at Mastodon State Historic Site
    Join the paleontology party! Check out the replica megafauna skulls, view real fossils from millions of years ago, try your hand at excavating fossils and make your own fossil to take home. This free program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the field next to the museum annex, which is accessible from the museum parking lot. No registration is required. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
     
  • Saturday, July 13: Junior Explorers at Mastodon State Historic Site
    Calling all junior explorers! Join us for outdoor learning and fun. In this free interpreter-led program, participants will engage in hands-on activities to explore the great outdoors. This program is designed for families with young children and the event will take place entirely outdoors, starting at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing they are comfortable getting dirty or wet and should meet at the playground in the picnic area at 1800 Seckman Road in Imperial.
     
  • Saturday, July 13: Ice Cream Social at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site
    Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a scoop of ice cream. Stop by the Felix Vallé House from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 198 Merchant St. in Ste. Genevieve, to learn about some early ice cream creations while enjoying a scoop or two of your own. The event is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
     
  • Saturday, July 13: Explore the Night Sky at Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
    Join NASA Solar System Ambassador Jeff to view planets and other astronomical phenomena. Telescopes will be available for constellation and planetary viewing. Participants are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, binoculars, insect repellent and telescopes if they have them. The event is free, open to the public and runs from 8:30-10 p.m. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site is located at 9090 Old Lemay Ferry Road in Hillsboro.
     
  • Saturday, July 13: Nature Bingo Hike at Mastodon State Historic Site
    Play bingo with a fun outdoor twist. Meet at the Spring Branch Trail trailhead and then walk a flat 0.8-mile loop on a packed gravel surface. Participants should bring water and dress for the weather. The program is designed for families with children, but all are welcome. The program is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To register, call 636-646-2976 or visit icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx. The fun begins at 2 p.m. at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
     
  • Saturday, July 13: MO Lions and Bears at Washington State Park
    Washington State Park team members will offer a tour of the petroglyph’s, the park’s history carved in stone! Learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them and possible interpretations. Enjoy a short stroll on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features. Learn about the animals that have been memorialized in the stone.
    • Big Cats in Missouri: 4 p.m. in the Big River Day-Use Area
      Learn about the mountain lions and bobcats that call Missouri home. View a life-size display and learn more about these cats’ lives.
    • Bear Aware: 7 p.m. at the amphitheater
      Join this interactive program about bears in Missouri. Listen to stories about bear sightings and learn about bear behavior. Find out what you should do if you ever encounter one of these large, furry mammals and learn how to bear bag if you’re camping in bear country.

The fun begins at 2 p.m. and Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto.

  • Sunday, July 14: Ancient Art Rocks! at Mastodon State Historic Site
    Learn about the history of rock art in Missouri and around the world in this free interpretive program. At 1:30 p.m. in the museum auditorium, the interpreter will give a slideshow presentation about rock art. This is designed for adults, but all are welcome. From 2-4 p.m., guests are encouraged to stop by the rock art table at the annex field. Here, visitors will be able to learn about petroglyphs and pictographs, view images of local rock art sites and make their own cave paintings. This is a drop-in program, where guests can arrive and participate anytime between 2-4 p.m. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

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.

Group of Jr. Explorers running through tall grass.

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