Mississippi River State Park offers outdoor activities Saturday, Sunday

Anyone looking for activities to enjoy outdoors this weekend should look no further than Mississippi River State Park.

The park has three programs planned on both Saturday and Sunday for area residents and visitors to enjoy.

On Saturday morning, part interpreters will discuss animal tracks and signs during a program at the Bear Creek Lake Swim Beach from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

“Animals leave all sorts of clues telling us where they have been and what they’ve been doing,” said park interpreter Tayler Markham. “Join us to learn about some of the signs animals leave.”

Visitors are encouraged to meet at the Bear Creek Lake Trailhead from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday, for a program focusing on the land between the rivers.

“Join us for a mildly strenuous hike up and down Crowley’s Ridge. We will look at the different layers of sediment that form the Ridge and explore how two mighty rivers helped carve away the land on either side to form this little rise above the Delta,” said Markham.

This hike is about a mile in length, so participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, and to bring water and insect repellent.

A Golden Hour Expedition will begin at 7 p.m., Saturday, at the Storm Creek Lake Swim Beach.

“What better way to experience a Storm Creek Lake sunset than on the water?” asked Markham.

“Join is for a leisurely kayak tour of the lake's shoreline and coves while enjoying the day's golden hour. We will cover basic paddling techniques before starting,” she said.

The minimum age to participate is eight years old. Kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices will be provided, but space is limited. Markham encourages anyone who wants to participate in this program to make reservations by calling the park’s visitor center at 870-2954040.

The Trotting Fox Trail will be the site of a B.A.R.K. Ranger program beginning at 10 a.m., on Sunday.

Dog owners are invited to bring their pets to the park and join an interpreter.

“Learn what it takes to be a B.A.R.K. Ranger on this PAWsome guided hike along the one-half mile Trotting Fox Trail,” said Markham. “Then, stick around to get your fur-baby certified as a Mississippi River State Park B.A.R.K. Ranger.”

Markham participants wear good walking/hiking shoes and to bring leashes, water bowls and bottles.

At 11 a.m., park interpreters will host a program focusing on butterflies at the Storm Creek Campground.

“Join us as we explore the changes butterflies go through from egg to adult. We will cover host plants that can be found throughout the park and that you can plant in your yard to help caterpillars grow on their path to becoming butterflies as well as native plants that adults use,” said Markham. “We will conclude the program with a fun craft with watercolors and special paper.”

The park’s visitor center is the site of several displays and programs.

On Sunday afternoon, from 3:30 to 4:30, the park will have its animal skulls comparison exploration table set up showing skulls from members of different classes of animals for participants to compare and contrast. A park interpreter will be available to help visitors discover what class of animal the various skulls belong to along with the species.

For more information on any of these programs, contact the park at 870-295-4040.