PRATT ­– If pleasant weather, time spent with family and friends, and the great outdoors sound like the perfect Saturday to you, consider checking out one of many Kansas state park events on Sept. 26. In addition to the events listed below, all parks around the state will also be participating in a GeoCache hunt. Participants who visit at least one park will be entered to win one of two Outdoor Store items, and participants who visit and find the caches at two parks will be eligible for a free night stay at a cabin of their choice in the park region visited.

HIGH PLAINS REGION

Cedar Bluff– “Healthy Grilling and Camp Snacks” class from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gather ideas for healthy grilled meals, while kids participate in “build your own” healthy snacks. The park office will be open 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Meade– Come visit Meade for an annual car and bike show. The park office will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prairie Dog­– Youth can enjoy a guided nature trail hike incorporating the Story Walk on the nature trail.

Lake Scott– Participate in a nature hike. Plan on starting from the office parking lot and hiking to a point south of Circle Drive campground. Total length approximately five miles. The park office will be open from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Webster– Youth are invited to come build a birdhouse at 10 a.m. Also, check out the pickle ball demonstration on the new pickle ball court at 1 p.m. The office will be open from 8 a.m. – to 4 p.m.

OSAGE REGION

Hillsdale– Visit the park office for healthy refreshments before participating in a guided hike. A cartoonist/artist will also be in the office to assist kids with drawing cartoon animals native to the area. 

Eisenhower­– Participate in a kayak and canoe trip. Paddlers will leave from the west boat ramp at 7:30 a.m. and paddle out for 1.5 hours, where the group will stop and have a small breakfast provided by the friends of the park. Following breakfast, the group will return to the park. Two double kayaks, 4 single kayaks, and 3 (to upwards of nine) canoes will be available for use.

Pomona– Join in on outdoor games from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., includinghorseshoes, disk golf, ladder golf, croquet, and volleyball.

Clinton– Hike it up with Guide Trudy at noon, starting at the beach parking lot. Visitors can also enjoy a day of playing disk golf before checking out the interpretive turtle and snake program at Shelter 6 at 7 p.m.

Prairie Spirit– Join in on the CORNSTOCK 2015 Anderson County Corn Festival fun. For details, visit accornfest.com.

KAW RIVER REGION

Tuttle Creek– Meet at the Man Kan shelter at 8:30 a.m. for a guided bike and hike tour of the park. Participants must bring their own equipment. From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., check out a remote control toy hobby demo at the stampede area, hosted by Cattown RC Hobbies of Manhattan. Lunch and snacks will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Man Kan Shelter, courtesy of Friends of Tuttle Creek, immediately followed by camping games and a skins and skulls presentation until 3 p.m.

Milford– Enjoy coffee and cookies as you stroll through Milford’s cabin open house.

Perry– Parkgoers can enjoy a nature hike, as well as participate in a variety of outdoor games including, casting, horseshoes, badminton, and more.

ARKANSAS REGION

Sand Hills– Join staff for a variety of outdoor activities, including canoeing, kayaking, BB gun range, archery, nature walk, and hot dogs over the campfire. 

SMOKY HILLS REGION

Kanopolis– Bring the family and join in on atrail hike through Horse Thief Canyon.

Lovewell– Lace up those shoes and participate in Lovewell’s 5k or 10k fun runs.

NEOSHO REGION

Crawford State Park– Crawford’s scavenger hunt and archery clinic is sure to put a smile on your children’s faces. Afterwards, fill up on good eats during the annual chili cook-off, and enjoy an evening outdoor concert.

Elk City State Park– You don’t want to miss out onactivities throughout the day at Elk City include a fishing clinic, scavenger hunt, archery clinic, horseshoe competition, and water balloon launch.

Fall River and Cross Timbers State Parks (most events occur between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

This is Fall River’s annual Fall River Rendezvous. Since this requires all of the staff for both Fall River and Cross Timbers to accomplish the events for the 26th will be held primarily at Fall River.

Fall River– Immerse yourself in the early 1800’s as Native Americans and mountain men meet at the Fall River Rendezvous. Activities will include encampments for viewing, a black powder shoot, archery demos, tomahawk throw, ladies iron skillet throw, kid’s Gold Rush hunt, and more. Living history reenactors will also present demonstrations on blacksmithing, weaving, outdoor cooking, and leather crafts to name a few. 

El Dorado State Park– Let some arrows fly during an archery clinic open to all from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the park archery range near the lake dam. Information on the park’s upcoming OK Kid’s Day will also be provided at the event.

For more on Kansas state park events, visit www.ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks/Event-Calendar.

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