Check out what Missouri state parks offer around Kansas City this January
Escape the city and visit a state park or historic site to connect with nature.

- Saturday, Jan. 6: After-Holidays Stress Relief: Guided Mindfulness Hike at Lewis and Clark State Park
If you haven’t gotten out already, make this your first hike of the new year. Start things off right with a mental refresh. Regardless of whatever resolutions you made this year, make sure personal well-being is at the top of your list. Participants will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the park office and then walk Gosling Lake Trail, taking time to practice mindfulness. Gosling Lake Trail is a gravel-surface loop trail and is considered easy. Participants should dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. The program is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, snow or ice, the program will be canceled. For more information, call 816-640-5443. Lewis and Clark State Park is located at 801 Lake Crest Blvd. in Rushville.

- Monday, Jan. 8: Winter Birding 101 at Camden Point Library
Join the park team for this lecture presented by the Mid-Continent Library System. Park Specialist Annie talk about wonderful winter birds in our area. Topics include backyard bird keeping, winter migrants and tips for identifying some of the trickier species of birds. The event is free and open to the public and will take place at 6 p.m. at Camden Point Library, 401 Hardesty St. in Camden Point.

- Thursday, Jan. 11: Toddler Storytime in the Park at Knob Noster State Park Toddler Storytime in the Park starts at 10 a.m. for preschool-aged children. They will hear nature stories, sing songs and make crafts. The theme for this program is night. The event will take place at the park’s visitor center and if it is canceled due to inclement weather, it will be moved to Jan. 25. For more information, call 660-563-2463. Knob Noster State Park is located at 873 SE 10 in Knob Noster.

- Thursday, Jan. 25: Winter Birding 101 at the Platte City Library
Join Park Specialist Annie for a lecture on wonderful winter birds. Topics include backyard bird keeping, winter migrants and tips for identifying some of the trickier species of birds. This free event starts at 6 p.m. at the Platte City Library at 2702 NW Prairie View Road in Platte City.

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.