JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 14, 2023 – The Perseid meteor shower greets stargazers every year from mid-July to late August, with this year’s peak around Aug. 13. Guests are invited to take part in a special overnight camping event at Washington State Park Aug. 11-12. For this overnight event, guests will camp out in the Big River Day Use Area (near Shelter #2).
At 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, special guest storyteller Flavia Evermann will entertain guests around the campfire. This event is open to registered overnight guests and the public. Flavia's program is brought to Missouri State Parks courtesy of the Missouri Arts Council.
Saturday Aug. 12 provides multiple activities throughout the evening. At 4 p.m. there will be 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 walk on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., park team members will present meteor-themed activities and Edg-Clif Vineyard, Winery and Brewery from Potosi, Missouri, and Fyre Lake Winery from Cadet, Missouri, will provide limited free sampling to adults 21 and over.
To attend this event advance reservations are required. There is a non-refundable $10 fee per campsite registration for this event. Registration can be completed online at icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Activities/Search.aspx or by calling the park office at 636-586-5768.
This camping area is for tents only, and each site can accommodate up to six people and parking for one vehicle. No individual campfires, RVs or generators will be allowed. There is no electricity or flush restrooms in the area. Check-out from the day use area is 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13.
Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto, Missouri.
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.