A Healthy Dose of Fun
State Parks and Historic Sites Offer More Than Just Camping

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) - It's all about having fun at Missouri's 49 state parks and 34 state historic sites. These sites encourage the public to enjoy a variety of special events and activities throughout the year & more than enough to keep your family busy year-round.

Yes, camping is a popular activity at most of our state parks. But how about a true spelunking experience in a non-commercial, "wild" cave? Ha Ha Tonka State Park, near Camdenton, offers guided tours of River Cave on Jan. 7 and Feb. 4, 2006. Participants will wade through 40-degree, chest-high water and traverse slippery subterranean passageways. Using battery powered lanterns, cavers will encounter a variety of cave formations, grotto salamanders, hibernating bats and southern cavefish. Because River Cave is a spring- summer sanctuary for gray bats (an endangered species), these tours are offered only in late fall and early winter. Reservations are required. Call 573- 346-2986.

Sure, you can go fishing in many of Missouri's state parks, but ice fishing & now there's a different sport altogether. Battle of Athens State Historic Site, near Revere, is holding an ice fishing tournament on Jan. 7, at Athens Lake. First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded for the longest bluegill or sunfish, crappie, bass and catfish caught. Three age divisions are offered: 10 and younger, 11 through 16 and adult. Refreshments will be served. For information, call 660-877-3871.

Squirrels, rabbits and deer are abundant year-round in our parks. Bald eagles, however, are seasonal visitors along our rivers and larger streams. Missouri is proud of its wintering bald eagle population. Several eagle viewing events are held throughout Missouri this time of year. One such event takes place Jan. 21, at Roaring River State Park, outside Cassville. After viewing a video about bald eagles, visitors will venture outside to watch for the magnificent birds. Bring your binoculars and dress warmly. For times and location, dial 417-847- 3742.

Hiking the sturdy trails and pathways of our state parks can be relaxing and exhilarating, unless the earth begins to move. February 4, Onondaga Cave State Park, at Leasburg, holds its annual program celebrating Earthquake Awareness Week. This event, titled The Earth Moves Under Our Feet, features a video on Missouri's New Madrid Seismic Zone - one of the largest fault areas in the United States. Park naturalists present a program on earthquakes and how they alter the land and affect human populations. Visitors will be introduced to the park's seismic station. For a schedule, call 573-245-6576.

While tranquility is often the case at state parks, not so in the Rosebud Caf? at the Scott Joplin State Historic Site in St. Louis. There, world-class ragtime music is on tap for your listening and dancing pleasure. The pulsating beat of ragtime fills the air during the annual Rosebud Ball this Feb. 11. The festivities are held in a facility that recreates a local bar and gaming club dating to the late 1800s. For details, dial 314-340-5790.

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, south of Columbia, is a wonder of nature; it's also a place to reflect upon our past. On Feb. 18, the park will offer a program entitled Slaves, Graves and Hidden Treasures, covering the impact of slavery in the United States, Missouri and local communities. Hear stories of slavery and slaves' lifestyles, and visit the gravesites at nearby Jewell Cemetery State Historic Site. For more information, call 573-449-7402.

Cool, spring-fed streams run through many of Missouri's state parks. March 1 marks a very special event at three of these sites: Bennett Spring State Park, west of Lebanon; Roaring River State Park, south of Cassville; and Montauk State Park, southwest of Salem. Regardless of the weather that day, large numbers of enthusiastic anglers will line the banks and wade the frigid waters for opening day of trout season. The whistle blows at 6:30 a.m.

Our parks are forested by large, mature trees of many kinds; yet all of those giants started life as tiny, insignificant saplings. By visiting Montauk State Park, southwest of Salem, you can start your own forest. On Montauk Arbor Day, March 11, the Missouri Department of Conservation will hand out free saplings so you can grow a tree for future generations. For times and locations, call 573-548-2201.

Yes, exciting special events and activities abound at Missouri's state parks and state historic sites throughout the year. Missouri state parks and historic sites are operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Log on to their Web site, www.mostateparks.com/fun.htm and click "events" to see additional listings and details. Remember - it's all about having fun.

To learn more about all of Missouri's destinations and attractions and to request your free copy of the 2006 Official Missouri Vacation Planner, visit www.VisitMO.com, or call 800-519-4800.

　

	Roaring River State Park