101 THINGS TO DO OUTDOORS

THERE ARE MORE THAN 101 THINGS TO DO HERE – JUNE 8, 2012

The”101 Fun Things to Do” guide from the Cape Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Southeast Missourian is an excellent way to choose some things to do close to Cape, but also highlights some fun things to do that are “stay-cation” ideas for the whole family.

• ·        Lake Wappapello State Park in Williamsville, Missouri, offers camping, fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking, riding, and lodging is available, in housekeeping cabins and camper cabins.  The state has a great website on Lake Wappapello with all the information.
• ·        Mingo National Wildlife Refuge in Puxico, Missouri, was established as a resting and wintering area for migratory waterfowl and other birds.   Wood ducks, blue herons and egrets can be seen in June.  Hiking, fishing, birding are just some of the activities, visit their website for details.
• ·        Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park near Lesterville, Missouri, has great shallows to splash in, or the natural waterslides are like God’s waterpark!  Multi-use hiking and riding trails through the Qzarks are like a geological adventure of their own. 
• ·        Giant City State Park, in Makenda, Illinois is nestled in the Shawnee National Forest.  We rode through on the motorcycle earlier this year, and it was gorgeous.  Their website lists a lot of information, but if you just want to take a day trip to Makenda, there are some cute shops and eateries there, and fun places for the family to explore.  It’s just off of 51, north of Anna Jonesboro on County road 29.
• ·        Located in the northwest corner of Tennessee, you can easily drive to Reelfoot Lake State Park.  Regarded by some as one of the greatest hunting and fishing preserves in the nation…Reelfoot Lake State Park offers naturalist guided pontoon boat cruises from May through September. Fun!

The natural areas of Southeast Missouri are not only wonderful to experience, but they are our obligation to maintain, so remember to “leave it as you found it when you do head out! 

Enjoy the GREAT OUTDOORS THIS JUNE!