10/22/2011 | Harry S Truman State Park | Warsaw, MO
Did you realize that Harry S Truman State Park is more than 1,400 acres? There is a lot more to it than the campground and the marina. Well here is your chance to explore a part of the park that is almost never seen by park visitors. The eastern side of the park is a large track of land that is beautiful hardwood forest, which opens up to the most spectacular scenic overlook on the lake. Park staff will take campers on an afternoon Fall Colors Hike. The "trail" is an old access road that is closed to all but foot traffic, so the walking will be easy to moderate in difficulty. To make sure everyone can participate, a Kawasaki Mule will be available for park visitors with a physical handicap or mobility problems. The hike will take the "old resort road" back to an area which was a weekend resort area before the park was a park. Some of the old foundations of weekend cottages will be seen along the way. Make sure to bring your camera as we will be on one of the highest bluffs overlooking the lake and you will be able to see the Truman Lake Dam and the 1-mile bridge coming out of Warsaw from these overlooks. Some of the red cedar trees growing on the bluff are more than 100 years old. Staff will discuss the history of the area and its development into a state park after the lake project was developed. From these bluff overlooks, you will often see large turkey vultures and American bald eagles. You will also often see cormorants, a migratory fish eating bird, as well as sea gulls dive bombing for fish. We will pass through several examples of differing habitat, including hard wood forest, glade and early succession forest.
Sign up for the hike on Friday night at the fee booth and during the day on Saturday. Meet at the park office ready to drive to the starting point of the hike, approximately 1 mile down Marina Road.
Click here to check out the other state parks hosting this event!
Hike time: 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Associated activities
- Hiking