Autumn activities abound throughout St. Louis area state parks and historic si…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 23, 2024 - As the seasons begin to change, it's time to check out some of the many activities available at state parks and historic sites in the St. Louis region.

• Thursdays, Sept. 26 and Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.: Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site! Toddler Thursday programs are designed for toddlers and their grown-ups. Each Toddler Thursday focuses on a different topic and includes hands-on activities. Toddler Thursdays take place outside in the field near the museum. Participants should dress for the weather. In the event of inclement weather, including extreme heat, the program will be moved indoors to the museum auditorium. To register, call 636-646-2976. The fun begins at 10 a.m. at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
  
• Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Archaeology and Paleontology Day at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Celebrate Missouri Archaeology Month at Mastodon State Historic Site! Archaeology and Paleontology Day 2024 features several free activities for the whole family. The day's schedule is as follows:
  • 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Free museum admission and a special museum scavenger hunt.
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Hands-on activities, including atlatl demonstrations and practice on the annex lawn (accessible from the museum parking lot.
  • 10 a.m. - Paleontology story time.
  • 11 a.m. - Hike to the bone bed.
  • Noon - Skull show and museum tour.
  • 1 p.m. - Hike to the bone bed.
  • 2 p.m. - Skull show and museum tour.
  • 3 p.m. - presentation on the history of excavations at the bone bed.

The hike to the bone bed will take place on the Wildflower Trail, a 0.5-mile trail with stairs and natural surfaces. Please note that the excavation site is covered; hikers will not be able to see any fossils, artifacts or active digging. Interpreters will not identify artifacts or fossils at this event. Outdoor activities, including atlatl throwing and guided hikes, are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. All activities are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. The event will take place at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

• Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11 a.m.: Creatures of Myth and Legend (World Bird Sanctuary) at St. Francois State Park
  Come out to St. Francois State Park for the World Bird Sanctuary's Creatures of Myth and Legend program. Have you ever wondered whoooo inspired a ghost story? World Bird Sanctuary naturalists will share all the ways that animals inspire myths and legends around the globe. The program will take place in the campground near the playground and showerhouse at 8920 U.S. Highway 67 N in Bonne Terre. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Because the event will feature live birds, pets will not be allowed. This is for both their safety and that of the birds.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m.: Junior Explorers at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Calling all junior explorers! Join this free interpreter-led program where participants will engage in hands-on activities as they explore the great outdoors. This program is designed for families with young children and will take place entirely outdoors. Participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing that they are comfortable getting dirty or wet. Meet at the playground in the picnic area, located at 1800 Seckman Road in Imperial.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Fall Harvest Fest at Washington State Park
  Washington State Park's annual Fall Harvest Fest includes a handmade item and craft fair featuring a variety of vendors from Missouri, as well as fall crafts and activities for kids. Food and concession items will be available for purchase and there will be musical entertainment. All activities will take place in and around Shelter #2 in the Big River Day-Use Area; however, this is subject to change due to weather. Admission is free and registration is not required. Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Old Miners Open House at Missouri Mines State Historic Site
  The Old Miners Open House honors the mine workers of Missouri's Old Lead Belt region, retired miners and others who are associated with the area's mining history. There will be activities for all ages, including a sand table, a mine car shoveling contest and much more. All activities are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. In addition, there will be free admission to the site's Powerhouse Museum during the event. Missouri Mines State Historic Site is located at 4000 State Highway 32 in Park Hills.
  Sunday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.: Honeysuckle Roundup! At Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park
  Join the team for two hours of volunteer service removing bush honeysuckle from the Babler monument parking area. Loppers, gloves, glasses and the chemical needed for treating this highly invasive plant will be provided. All volunteers need to bring is water and wear a pair of closed-toe shoes. Meet at the monument field and follow the directional signage. Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park is located at 800 Guy Park Drive in Wildwood.
  
• Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.: Geological Eras Tour at Mastodon State Historic Site
  Join the team at Mastodon State Historic Site on their own Geological Eras Tour on Spring Branch Trail, where participants will travel back in time explore geological eras. During this easy 0.8-mile walk, we'll cover 550 million years of planetary and evolutionary history. This to-scale hike will inform visitors about the chronological relationship between major geological events, mass extinctions and the evolution of various species. Registration is required and can be done by visiting icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx or calling or texting 636-215-9784. Participants will meet at 1800 Seckman Road 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.