Northeast Missouri state parks provide fall fun…

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 3, 2025 - Northeast Missouri state parks and historic sites plan fun fall activities for the whole family.

• Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m and Sunday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Eighth Annual Salt River Quilt Show at Mark Twain State Park.
  The eighth annual Salt River Quilt Show, with a "Spirit of America," theme, will be held at the Mark Twain Memorial Shrine at 37352 Shrine Road in Florida, Missouri. America's semiquincentennial is coming up! In celebrating our country's 250th anniversary, the quilt show's theme is as all-encompassing as our nation! Three programs will be given at the show: two on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., featuring storyteller and songwriter Heather Harlan, and one on Sunday at 1 p.m., that may feature a bit of whimsy from Mark Twain himself. Approximately 100 quilts will be on display. There is no charge for the show or the programs.
  
• Tuesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28, at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. - Toddler Tuesday at Crowder State Park.
  Toddlers and their grownups are invited to join park staff at the Camp Grand River Recreation Hall every Tuesday for a nature book reading, a craft and an additional activity. There will be a different theme and a different set of activities each week. These events are free, and there is no need to register. Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128 in Trenton.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. - Petroglyph Tours at Thousand Hills State Park.
  Thousand Hills State Park is home to a collection of rock carvings, or petroglyphs, made by ancestors of today's Native Americans. Explore the petroglyphs with park staff to learn more about this unique piece of history. The tour will take place at the petroglyph shelter, located next to the beach at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1-4 p.m.- Missouri Days: Fall Colors Bus Tours at Crowder State Park.
  Join us at the equestrian parking lot in Crowder State Park in Trenton, for a bus tour to the Thompson cemetery and the Thompson house. Along the way, park team members will discuss fall foliage that can be seen. In addition, the Friends of the Thompson House will be at the house discussing their recent projects. These tours are free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. The bus will leave the equestrian lot approximately every 30 minutes. To reach the equestrian parking lot, travel west from the park entrance on Highway 146 and turn right onto 52nd Avenue. Then turn right onto Dove Lane. Dove Lane ends at the equestrian parking lot.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. - Reptile Program at Thousand Hills State Park.
  Join park staff to learn why reptiles are important and which ones can be found at the park. The program is scheduled to take place at the amphitheater in Campground 1, but you do not have to be a camper to attend. The event may be canceled or moved inside if there is inclement weather. Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
  
• Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. - Graham Cave and Katy Trail state parks Public Meeting at Ted and Pat Jones Welcome Center at the Treloar Mercantile.
  The public is invited to an open house-style meeting for Graham Cave State Park and the mid-eastern section of Katy Trail State Park. Representatives from both parks will be on hand to provide information about these facilities and answer questions. The public is encouraged to share comments about the parks and their operations. The mid-eastern section of Katy Trail State Park stretches from Matson in the east to Mokane in the west. Trailheads in this section are located at Augusta, Dutzow, Marthasville, Treloar, McKittrick and Portland. The meeting will take place at the Ted and Pat Jones Welcome Center, located in the Treloar Mercantile, across from the Treloar trailhead. It will be held in conjunction with the Treloar Elevator Party.
  
• Friday, Oct. 24, from 7-9 p.m. - Dark Sky Program at Thousand Hills State Park.
  Thousand Hills State Park is hosting a dark sky program where guests will join the park team and representatives from Truman State University at the Point Shelter. Telescopes will be set up, but guests are welcome to bring their own, along with chairs, blankets and binoculars. Thousand Hills State Park is located at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 2 p.m. - Nature Painting Class: Winter Nature at Thousand Hills State Park.
  Thousand Hills State Park team members and volunteers will lead class participants in connecting with nature and expressing their creativity. The program is free, and registration is not required. Supplies will be provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own. The park is located at 20431 State Highway 157 in Kirksville.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 a.m. - Halloween Trail Runs at Crowder State Park.
  Crowder State Park is hosting Halloween Trail Runs Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be a 1-mile fun run on the group camp trail, a 5K on Tall Oaks Trail, a 10K on Tall Oaks and Redbud trails and a marathon on every section of trail in the park. There will also be a costume contest for all who participate in one of the runs. Each run will begin at 8 a.m., directly after the costume contest. Snacks and water will be available for participants along the routes. Medals will be given to the top three female and male finishers in each age group (18 and younger, 19-59, and 60 and over) in each distance. Awards will also be given for the top three places in the costume contest. Online registration is required by Oct. 20 and can be submitted at icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Activities/Details.aspx?session_id=179356&back_url=fi9BY3Rpdml0aWVzL1NlYXJjaC5hc3B4. There is a $25 registration fee. Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128 in Trenton.
  
• Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6-8 p.m. - Halloween Event at Crowder State Park.
  Crowder State Park's team is collaborating with the Friends of Thompson House to host a fun evening of Halloween activities Saturday, Oct. 25. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a guided hike from the equestrian parking lot to the Thompson House. Once at the Thompson House, participants will enjoy snacks, games, crafts and a campfire storytelling program. Then, at the end of the night, park team members will lead a spooky night hike back to the parking lot. Participants who do not wish to participate in the guided hikes may come and go as they please. Everyone is encouraged to bring a flashlight. Crowder State Park is located at 76 NW Highway 128 in Trenton.

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.