Missouri State Parks is inviting everyone to experience an outdoor adventure with family and friends in state parks and historic sites during the Great American Campout on June 24.
The Great American Campout is a nationwide initiative by the National Wildlife Federation to encourage families and communities to connect and experience the outdoors. It is part of the Great Outdoors Month that highlights the many kinds of outdoor activities that strengthen our bonds with nature. Whether you visit a state park, private campground or join thousands of people across the nation gathering in their backyards, your family can take part in a one-night event that will provide an experience for all generations to connect with nature.
The Great American Campout® is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation.
For more information, visit http://www.nwf.org/Great-American-Campout/About.aspx.
To celebrate the Great American Campout, Missouri State Parks is sponsoring a variety of events at parks and sites throughout the state to give everyone a fun adventure or a special way to connect with the outdoors. Events range from learning about pollinators, Dutch oven cooking and campground safety to following in the footsteps of explorers William Clark and Meriwether Lewis.
For more information on state parks and historic sites and how you can participate in the Great American Campout,
visit https://mostateparks.com/page/61576/great-american-campout.
Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Following are the parks and historic sites in northwest Missouri participating in this year's Great American Backyard Campout with camping-related events. Follow the link in each park description for additional information. Images and descriptions below are from https://mostateparks.com.
Crowder State Park
Crowder State Park provides 1,912 acres in the rolling green hills of northern Missouri. Visitors can enjoy more than 17 miles of hiking, bicycling, backpacking and equestrian trails in a forested, rugged terrain. The park also offers fishing and boating opportunities on 18-acre Crowder Lake. The family-oriented campground includes modern restrooms, and shady picnic sites are scattered throughout the park. https://mostateparks.com/park/crowder-state-park
Weston Bend State Park
Not far from the hustle and bustle of Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park offers secluded picnic sites, a campground and sweeping views of the Missouri River from trails and a scenic overlook accessible to persons with disabilities. A three-mile paved loop trail takes hikers and bikers through the park's woody terrain. https://mostateparks.com/park/weston-bend-state-park
Lewis and Clark State Park
The Lewis and Clark Expedition headed west in 1804 and encountered a lake that William Clark described as “full of Geese & Goslings.” Today, that lake is Lewis and Clark Lake, which is bordered by Lewis and Clark State Park. The park’s broad open spaces make it a favorite for families who take advantage of the scenic picnic areas and playground. Bird watchers come to Lewis and Clark to watch geese, great blue herons, eagles, swans and snowy egrets flock to the oxbow lake throughout the seasons. https://mostateparks.com/park/lewis-and-clark-state-park
Harry S Truman State Park
Clear waters, dramatic bluffs, and vibrant summer and fall colors make Harry S Truman State Park an ideal place to vacation. Located on a peninsula, the park offers a marina, ample fishing and boating opportunities, and water that’s perfect for every kind of swimmer. Hiking trails, picnic areas, and campsites dot the park’s open oak woodlands and provide a home for abundant wildlife. https://mostateparks.com/park/harry-s-truman-state-park
Missouri State Parks is celebrating 100 years in 2017. Visitors can experience all the park system has to offer with the Centennial Passport. Visit mostateparks.com/passport for more information.
