Ha Ha Tonka State Park is probably my favorite place outdoors at the Lake of the Ozarks, and they host some really fascinating events at the park in the summer. These are activities for all ages, and are both enjoyable and educational. Plan to attend at least one when you take your next trip to the Lake, you will not regret it!
June 16: 8:30 – 9:30 pm – Night Hike – Come hike the Spring Trail, an easy, wide trail that follows along the spring and it’s cool waters, with a park naturalist. You will be listening for and learning to identify the calls and songs of many nocturnal species that inhabit the area.
June 23: 8:15 – 9:15 pm – Bats – Did you know that Ha Ha Tonka has a very active colony of bats that live in River Cave? They are the endangered species Grey Bats and, just like in the movies, they fly from their cave every night to hunt. (Sorry, no vampire bats here:( ) Join a park naturalist as you watch them fly off at dusk, and learn all about these sonar-enabled creatures!
June 30: 1pm -3pm – Kaleidoscope and Open House – Come to the Park Visitor Center and experience a variety of old-world skills and naturalist activities. Check out native grass weaving, dutch oven cooking, and the skull touch table. Learn about orienteering, native mammals, and join in the public input meeting.
July 7: 8:30 – 9:30pm – Owl Prowl – The Lake area is full of owls! Join a park naturalist at the Post Office Shelter learning about them, and then watch for barred owls as you try to call them from the surrounding woodlands.
July 14: 8:30 – 9:30pm – Astronomy for Beginners – Far from the city lights is the best place to view the nighttime wonders in our sky – stars, planets, nebulas, and more! Join the Camden County Astronomy Club at the Post Office shelter house for an evening to stargazing that will start you on the journey to explore new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no man has gone before!
July 21: 8:30 – 9:30pm – Night Hike – If you missed the first one, here is an encore! Come hike the Spring Trail, an easy, wide trail that follows along the spring and it’s cool waters, with a park naturalist. You will be listening for and learning to identify the calls and songs of many nocturnal species that inhabit the area.
July 28: 8:15 – 9:15pm - Bats – Yes, the bats at Ha Ha Tonka are so popular that they get two events in the summer! Did you know that Ha Ha Tonka has a very active colony of bats that live in River Cave? They are the endangered species Grey Bats and, just like in the movies, they fly from their cave every night to hunt. (Sorry, no vampire bats here:( ) Join a park naturalist as you watch them fly off at dusk, and learn all about these sonar-enabled creatures!
October 26: 5pm – 8 pm – Ha Ha Haunt – One of the area’s favorite Halloween events at the Lake of the Ozarks. Great fun for all ages where you walk the decorated jack-o-lantern trail to the Mill House, where all kinds of Halloween fun, activities and crafts await!