Night hiking, trivia and more; explore free August events at local MO state parks

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI — Several of Missouri’s lake area state parks and historic sites will host a wide variety of events next month in the southwest Missouri area. Read more below.

• Night Hike at Ha Ha Tonka State Park — Friday, Aug. 1, at 9 p.m.
  Go on a guided after-dark hike to the Ha Ha Tonka Spring. You will explore the world of nocturnal animals and their amazing adaptations for life at night.
• Meet at the Spring Trail trailhead to hike to the spring and back, covering about 0.8 mile. The trailhead is located in the lake parking lot in the park in Camdenton. To get there from U.S. Highway 54, turn onto state Road D and continue for approximately 2.7 miles to Tonka Spring Road. The lake parking lot will be on your right.
  
• Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Event at Bennett Spring State Park — Saturday, Aug. 2, at 9 p.m.
  Visit the park after hours to watch the annual Perseid meteor shower that occurs every August after the full moon, producing 100 to 150 meteors of different colors.
• The viewing will take place in the field near the splash pad. Guests should bring chairs, blankets or beach towels for seating, as well as telescopes or binoculars for better viewing. Parking is available at the splash pad. In the event of poor viewing conditions, the park may cancel the event.
• The park is located at 26250 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.
   
• Trivia Hike and Nature Bingo at Stockton State Park — Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m.
  Looking to exercise your muscles — along with your brain — while also enjoying time outdoors? The event will begin with a trivia hike on Nyblad Trail.
• Meet at the amphitheater near the East Campground at 7 p.m. to sign in and get an answer sheet. Then, set off to test your knowledge of nature during this out-and-back hike. The hike will total about 1 mile. Once everyone gets back to the amphitheater with their trivia sheets filled in, the event will feature nature bingo.
• This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Stockton State Park is located at 19100 S. Highway 215 in Dadeville.
   
•  Full Moon Hike at Stockton State Park — Sunday, Aug. 9, at 8:30 p.m.
  Join representatives from Stockton State Park and the Stockton Trails Initiative Coalition for a night hike under the full moon.
• This guided hike will start in the northwest part of the park, near the North Shelter and the baseball field. From there, participants will walk a short distance on Lakeview Trail before reaching Umber Ridge Trail, a 1.6-mile loop. They will hike this loop in a clockwise direction, stopping at the beach for a quick swim and a chance to bask in the moonlight. Following that, they will complete the rest of the loop and return to the starting point via Lakeview Trail.
• This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Participants should bring drinking water, insect repellent, water shoes and a towel. Although the moon will provide some light, a flashlight or headlamp may also come in handy. Stockton State Park is located at 19100 S. Highway 215 in Dadeville.
   
• Littered Landscape at Bennett Spring State Park — Saturday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m.
  Do you know how long it takes a plastic bottle or soda can to decompose? The answers might surprise you. Join staff outside the park store to learn how long litter can last if it is not picked up.
• The program is free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. Bennett Spring State Park is located at 26250 Highway 64A outside of Lebanon.