True to its name, this trail runs along the shore of Table Rock Lake from the State Park Marina to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dewey Short Visitor Center adjacent to the dam. This paved trail is relatively flat so it is popular for walkers of all abilities. As it runs along the shore line, it provides good views of the lake on the lower side as well as woodland views of 200+ year old oaks on the upper side. Join park staff at noon for a guided hike on the Lake Shore Trail to kick off the new year. The hike will cover approximately 2 miles and will begin at the State Park Marina traihead parking lot. This hike is sutiable for all age ranges and folks of all abilities as the trail is relatively flat. Participants are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes, dress for weather, and bring your own water and snacks. Pets are welcome! This event is free and open to the public.

Join us for monthly homeschool programs here at Babler. We will be offering two time slots: 10am-11am for all ages and 2pm-3pm for ages 10 and up. All programs will be housed out the visitor center unless specified otherwise, in that case, there will be directional signage to get attendees to the program location.

All attendees will need to pre-register (including guardians), at least one guardian must be present. All events will meet at the Visitor Center at 10am-11am (open to all ages) and 2PM-3PM (open to ages 10+), unless specified otherwise. Programs are limited to 30 people. Programs will open for registration 1 month in advance.

Looking to get outside after the holiday season? Join Bennett Spring staff on a First Day Hike on the Savanna Ridge Trail. Meet at the trailhead before embarking on the moderate 2.5 mile hike. This program is free and welcome to all ages. Please wear closed toe shoes and dress for the weather. Water bottles, snacks, and hiking sticks are recommended to bring with you.

Join us for a First Day Hike on Deer Run Trail. This 3.75-mile trail goes through an oak-hickory woodland and alongside Little Bonne Femme Creek for about half a mile. We will hike at a vigorous pace and will traverse several hills along the way. During the hike, your guide will share information about streams, aquatic animals, birds and other wildlife. Deer Run Trail is not stroller accessible, and this hike is not recommended for children 4 and under unless they are carried by an adult. We prefer that dogs do not accompany us on the hike. Participants should bring water, dress for the weather, and wear shoes that are suitable for muddy or snowy conditions. Park in the picnic area and meet at the playground. This event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. For more information about the event, or for help registering, call the park office at 573-449-7402. To check for status updates regarding the hike, visit the park's Facebook page or our Park and Site Status Map. HIKE TIME: NOON - 3:30 P.M. MEETING LOCATION: PLAYGROUND First Day Hikes are promoted by America’s State Parks. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is located at: 5901 S. Highway 163, Columbia, MO | 573-449-7402

While there are no dinosaurs here at Mastodon State Historic Site, that doesn't mean we can't learn about them! Future paleontologists are invited to join us for a dino party in our museum auditorium. We will learn all about our state dinosaur - the Parrosaurus missouriensis! - and discover why there aren't any dinosaurs at our Bone Beds. We will also make a dinosaur craft, "excavate" a yummy snack, and maybe even do a dino dance or two. This is a free program designed for families with elementary aged children, but all are welcome. Registration is required and space is limited. To register, call the site office at 636-464-2976 or visit icampmo.com. This program will include a snack-tivity. Participants with dietary restrictions are encouraged to call the site office at least one week prior to the program so that program staff can provide an alternative.

Nathan and Olive Boone Homestead State Historic Site will host a First Day Hike covering portions of all three of the site’ hiking trails – Spring Box, Interpretive and Prairie View – for a total of 2 miles. This moderately difficult hike will take guests through what was once a thriving 19th century homestead and give them a glimpse into what the early settlement of Ash Grove looked like. Along the way, the historic site superintendent will share the history of the Boone Homestead and stories from Ash Grove's past. This family-friendly event is free and open to all ages, but there is a limit of 35 participants. Participants will meet at the picnic shelter near the site office; the hike will depart from the shelter at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle, wear appropriate hiking footwear, and dress for the weather. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash at all times.

Join Crowder State Park staff for a hike to start the new year off right! We will meet at the special-use area at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, to begin this 2-mile hike on Redbud Trail.

Meet at the Swimming Deer trail head located in the campground. The trail is 3.2 miles and should take about 2.5 hours to complete depending on your speed. This moderate trail travels in the river bottom, along bluffs overlooking Big River, and through the woods. Wear good hiking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Leashed dogs are welcome provided they are respectful to other hikers and dogs and cleaned up after. Don't forget your water bottle as the park's water is turned off. Vault toilets are available for use in the campground, but the shower house restroom will be closed. This hike is free and open to the general public. If the threat of inclement weather is forecasted, please call the park office at (573) 358-2173 for any updates, visit the Parks & Sites Status Map on the park webpage, or check the Facebook event.

Meet at Shelter 2, located in the One-Way loop past the campground entrance. We will walk 1.1 miles on the paved road. The walk should take about 30 minutes to complete, depending on your speed. This walk is an easy loop traveling the park's one-way road in the Big River Day Use area. Wear good walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Leashed dogs are welcome provided they are respectful to other walkers and dogs and cleaned up after. Don't forget your water bottle as the park's water is turned off. Vault toilets are available for use near the picnic shelter. This walk is free and open to the general public. If the threat of inclement weather is forecasted, please call the park office at (573) 358-2173 for any updates, visit the Parks & Sites Status Map on the park webpage, or check the Facebook event.

The terrain of the Gans Creek Wild Area will provide the challenge of a vigorous hike up and down hills but also provide grand views of the scenery from overlooks including Shooting Star Bluff. Take the route less traveled starting and ending from the Wagon Wheel Trailhead. The distance is estimated at 4 miles. There will be two creek crossings that are rocky and usually enable hikers to keep their feet dry; if the water is up, then the route will be adjusted to avoid crossing Gans Creek. Visit the Shelter Cave mid-way up on the side of a steep hill. There will be good opportunities to see birds and other wildlife. This hike is not recommended for children under 8 years of age. Not stroller accessible. Prefer no dogs. Dress for the weather and wear shoes for muddy/snowy conditions. Bring water to drink. Free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Park at Wagon Wheel Trailhead (from Grindstone Pkwy, go south on Bearfield Road until it deadends).

Join on us New Year's Day to hike and look for birds along Grassland Trail. This area provides views of a restored prairie, open sky and sinkholes. Members of the Columbia Audubon Society will lead this 2-mile hike with the plan to look in the mixed grassland, shrub, and forest-edge habitats for sparrows, raptors, and any other fauna or flora of interest. This will be a fairly easy hike with a leisurely pace along relatively flat terrain. Around dusk, hike leaders will return to the parking lot for an optional extra half-hour of watching and listening for a last pulse of daytime bird activity, as well as possible evening birds, including owls. This is also a good opportunity to watch the sun go down on the first day of the new year. This event is for ages 8 and up. We prefer that dogs do not join us. Participants should bring water, dress for the weather, and wear shoes that are suitable for muddy or snowy conditions. We will meet at the Grassland Trail trailhead. Parking is available at the trailhead and along Rock Bridge Lane, a wide gravel road that leads to the trailhead parking lot. This event is free, but space is limited and registration is required. For more information about the event, or for help registering, call the park office at 573-449-7402. To check for status updates regarding the hike, visit the park's Facebook page or our Park and Site Status Map. HIKE TIME: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM MEETING LOCATION: GRASSLAND TRAIL TRAILHEAD First Day Hikes are promoted by America’s State Parks. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is located at: 5901 S. Highway 163, Columbia, MO | 573-449-7402

You can still enjoy the outdoors during winter! We will walk along the 0.5-mile Wildflower Trail and talk about how various organisms in the park react to the winter weather. Afterward, we will warm up with some hot chocolate. This hike is for all ages – just be sure to come dressed for the weather! This program will start and end at the museum entrance, located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial. Wildflower Trail is a moderately difficult loop trail with natural and boardwalk surfaces, including stairs. This is a free interpretive program, but registration is required. To register, register via this website or call the site office at 636-464-2976.

Calling all homeschoolers! Mastodon State Historic Site is hosting Homeschool Hours to serve our local homeschool communities! Each month, homeschoolers can join us for fun, educational activities focused on selected park topics. Homeschool Hour will meet at the historic site museum, though some activities may take place outdoors. Adults must remain with their children during the program. Join us for the following programs: - Monday, October 21: Outdoor Literature - the majority of this program will take place outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather! - Monday, November 18: Caves & Karst - Monday, December 16: Animal Adaptations Each Homeschool Hour has two time slots: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The 10 a.m. time slot is for all ages. The 1 p.m. time slot is strictly for homeschoolers ages 11 and up, and will include more advanced activities. Registration is required, and space is limited to 35 students per session. To register, visit icampmo.com or call the site office at 636-464-2976.

Join park staff to hike the Vilander Bluff Trail on the first day of 2025. This trail is approximately 1.5 miles and is of moderate difficulty. Staff will meet guests at the Onondaga Cave State Park Visitor Center (7556 Highway H Leasburg, MO 65535) at 10:00 AM, and from there will drive to the Vilander Bluff trailhead, which is about a half hour drive.

This 1.75 mile hike will be interspersed with stops to learn about the history and geology of the area. It goes up one long gradual hill on a dirt/gravel trail (Sinkhole Trail) through the woods and then uses a section of the Devil’s Icebox Trail (boardwalk). The difficulty level is moderate. Features and topics along the way include: Rockbridge Mills town of the 1800's including its whiskey distillery and former homes, founding of the park, the Ingrum Spring, sinkholes, Hog’s Graveyard Cave entrance and the Rock Bridge. Entering the Rock Bridge at the stream level is optional and will depend upon the water level. Not recommended for children 4 and under unless carried by an adult. Not stroller accessible. Prefer no dogs. Dress for the weather and wear shoes for muddy/snowy conditions. Bring water to drink. Free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Park at Devil’s Icebox parking lot.

Celebrate the return of the sun! The winter solstice may be the shortest day of the year, but we still have plenty of time to get outside. We will meet at the Spring Branch Trail trailhead before sunrise and will talk about the solstice while hiking the trail. This is a great way to start your day and get excited about the longer days to come! This is a free interpretive program, but registration is required. In the event of a weather-related cancellation, we will notify all registered participants using the provided phone number.