Find fun in southeastern Missouri state parks and historic sites…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 10, 2025 - Missouri state parks and historic sites in southeastern Missouri have planned a plethora of activities this month.

• Sunday, Sept. 14 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - Onondaga Cave Photo Tours at Onondaga Cave State Park.
  Amateur photographers are invited to go on a photo tour of Onondaga Cave. Sponsored by the Onondaga Friends Association, these extended tours include extra time for photos to be taken at specific locations along the tour route. Each tour will begin at the visitor center at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg. Conditions in the cave include limited lighting, concrete walkways, metal handrails, 57°F temperature year-round and humidity nearing 100%. Participants should dress warmly and wear closed-toe shoes. They should also bring their own photography equipment, as none will be provided. Cave tour fees apply. There is a maximum of 30 participants per tour and advance registration is preferred and can be done by calling 573-522-1860.
  
• Thursday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. - Public Meeting at Montauk State Park.
  The public is invited to a town hall-style meeting for Montauk State Park. Missouri State Parks team members will be available to provide information about the park and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the park and its operations. The meeting will be held at the campground amphitheater located within the park at 345 County Road 6670 in Salem. The input from the public is important. These meetings, which are being held for all state parks and historic sites, help create two-way communication with the public. The meetings give representatives the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the parks and sites, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.
  
• Friday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. - Nature Journaling Workshop: Sketching Fast and Loose at Echo Bluff State Park.
  It isn't always possible to take your time drawing an animal - or even a plant for that matter. Sometimes you just have to get something on the page as quickly as you can. So, limber up your fingers and get ready to do some exercises that will help prepare you for fast and loose sketching. Bring your own journal and your favorite drawing tools, and let's have some fun drawing and enjoying nature!

  These events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or [email protected]. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 35244 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence. The class will be held at the Terrapin Station Shelter.
  

• Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. - Starry Sky Nights at Onondaga Cave State Park.
  Onondaga Cave State Park invites the public to meet in front of the visitor center at 7556 Highway H in Leasburg to view the unobstructed night sky and learn about some of the objects that can be seen. Astronomy experts will demonstrate the use of telescopes and identify stars and planets. This program is subject to rescheduling in the event of poor viewing conditions. Interested parties are encouraged to register at icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Activities/Search.aspx?search_text=dark%20sky%20nights to receive updates about the program.
  
• Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. - Public Meeting at Sam A. Baker State Park.
  The public is invited to a town hall-style meeting where they will be able to meet with park representatives, ask questions and share comments. The meeting will be held at Shelter #1 in the park
  located at 5580 State Highway 143 in Patterson.
  
• Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. - Public Meeting at Dillard Mill State Historic Site.
  Dillard Mill State Historic Site is hosting an open house-style meeting at the Mill located at 142 Dillard Mill Road in Davisville. Park representatives will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the site and its operations.
  
• Saturday, Sept. 27 at 8:30 a.m. - Ewing's Retreat Auto Tour at Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.
  Visitors to the site often ask questions about what happened after the Battle of Pilot Knob and the subsequent escape of the Union forces. The retreat from the fort has been of interest for a long time and in 1995 a map was developed for people interested in learning more. At this free event, you can follow interpreters along the route taken by the retreating Union forces and learn about the retreat and several points of interest along the way. The tour will travel the route from the historic site to Leasburg, stop for lunch at Onondaga Cave State Park, and return to the site via Highway 185. Each party will follow the lead car in procession.

  Registration is required for this event. Those who can drive themselves or have someone to drive them should register by calling 573-546-3454 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Those who are interested in attending but are unable to drive themselves can ride in a 10-person van provided for this event. Anyone wanting to ride in the van should call 573-546-3454 to reserve a seat. All participants should bring their own lunch. Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site is located at 118 E. Maple in Pilot Knob.

  Tour schedule:

  • 8:30 a.m. -Get organized and give participants maps and/or van assignments.
  • 9 a.m. -Leave Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic site.
  • 9:20 a.m. - Arrive at Caledonia. Stop at city hall on Webster Road to interpret the interaction between Shelby's cavalry and Ewing's command.
  • 9:30 a.m. -Proceed to Palmer on Highway Z.
  • 10 a.m. -Arrive at Palmer. Stop at Palmer Church and spring. Interpret the rest stop and the massacre of six militia men left at the town. Proceed to Palmer Cemetery; visit the graves of Civil War veterans.
  • 10:30 a.m. - Proceed to Huzzah Conservation Area.
  • 11:30 a.m. -Arrive at Huzzah Conservation Area. Stop at the shooting range parking lot to interpret the retreat up the Huzzah Valley into the town of Leasburg. Proceed to Leasburg.
  • Noon -Arrive at Leasburg. Interpret battle and the relief from Union forces arriving from Rolla.
  • 12:30 p.m. -Proceed to Onondaga Cave State Park.
  • 1-2 p.m. -Eat lunch at Onondaga Cave State Park. (Only picnic tables and restrooms will be available at this stop.)
  • 2 p.m. - Proceed to Potosi via Highway 185.
  • 2:40 p.m. -Arrive at Potosi. Stop at the Walmart parking lot and interpret the activities of General Shelby in Potosi as the battle was going on in Pilot Knob. Return to Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site.
  • 3:30-4 p.m. - Arrive at Battle of Pilot Knob State Historic Site and end the program.

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.