Nature Painting Class: Sunset on the Lake
2026-06-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Thousand Hills State Park, 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, MO, 63501, United States
6/20/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo.
Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes help participants connect with nature and express their creativity. In each class, participants will learn how to paint a specific nature scene. These scenes are listed in the table below.
These programs are free and open to the public. Supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Space is limited, and you are encouraged to reserve a spot by calling the park office at 660-665-6995.
Series Overview:

Date
Time
Scene
Event Location

Sat, Apr 4
1-3 p.m.
Night sky
Park office

Fri, May 15
6-8 p.m.
Spring nature
Special-use area

Sat, June 20
6-8 p.m.
Sunset on the lake
Special-use area

Sat, Aug 29
1-3 p.m.
Fall nature
Park office

Fri, Oct 9
6-8 p.m.
Winter nature
Park office

WIN: Women in Nature
2026-06-27 08:30 - 16:30
6/27/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo.
Have you ever wanted to explore the great outdoors, but did not know where to begin? Come join us at Thousand Hills State Park for Women in Nature’s full-day experience to learn some new skills, taught by all female instructors. This event is intended to be educational and relaxing. Whether you are new to the outdoors or consider yourself an expert, we will help you gain a few new skills and improve your techniques in a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere.
Space is limited, and paid registration is required. Continue reading for more information.
Event Times:

Start: 8:30 a.m.
End: 4:30 p.m.

Event Location:

Thousand Hills State Park special-use area

The special-use area is the first right after Big Loop Trail Road.

Age Requirements:

Participants must be at least 10 years old.
Any participants under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.

Things to Bring:

Lunch
Water
Snacks
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Clothing and footwear that is appropriate for the event activities
A change of clothes and a towel

Activities (may be subject to change):
Archery and Atlatl (Low-Moderate*)
Archery is a time-honored sport that is growing in popularity. It is not only good fun but good exercise – and now you can learn how it’s done. You will also get an introduction to atlatl throwing. This course will cover archery and atlatl safety, ethics, shooting techniques and equipment selection. You will receive personal instruction and adequate time to practice what you learn.
Dutch Oven/Camp Cooking (Low*)
Learn the basics of cooking with a Dutch oven through instruction and hands-on experience. Cook a tasty dish in the great outdoors.
Kayaking (Moderate-High*)
Learn the basics of flatwater kayaking, including equipment, entry and exit, strokes, safety, water, and wind. By the end of the class, you should feel more comfortable on the water and better understand the safety risks around you. You will have time to practice and explore on Forest Lake.
Wildflower Hike (Moderate*)
Stop and smell the flowers during this guided hike. You’ll learn how to identify some of the park’s wildflowers and how they fit in to the local ecosystem.

*Physical Activity Guide:
Please be advised that WIN: Women in Nature programs are outdoor activities. Participants will be walking on tread surfaces at times that contain roots or embedded rocks and may have elevation changes.
To help participants anticipate each course and know what physical levels to expect, a physical activity rating system has been created. You will find a physical level rating for each course next to the course name in the Activities section of this page.

Low: requires minimal physical skill/endurance (example: lecture-based and hands-on activities in a classroom)
Moderate: requires moderate physical skill/endurance (examples: lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing or taking short walks)
High: requires high levels of skill/endurance (examples: lecture-based and hands-on activities while standing, hiking, lifting or engaging in full-body movement)

Registration, Refunds and Cancellations:
Registration is $20, and there is a maximum of 40 participants.
Click on the “REGISTER HERE” link below to register. When you get to the registration website, click on the “Show 1 session” box below the full-day listing. Then, click on the green “Sign up!” button to register.
Registration open and close dates are listed on the registration website. All slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register here
Waitlist:
If the activity you are looking to join is full, please join our waitlist by signing up for that program on the registration tab. Once a cancellation has been approved, a staff member will contact the first waitlist individual via email to prompt them to secure their spot within a 48-hour period. No response within that 48-hour time period will result in the customer being removed from the waitlist and the next individual being contacted.
How to Cancel a Reservation:
Seven or more business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Customers are able to cancel their reservations themselves and receive a full refund. To cancel, the customer should log in to their icampmo account, find the reservations/activities that they are signed up for, and hit “Cancel” for the reservation that they wish to cancel.
Six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Anyone needing to cancel a reservation six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date should contact kintauna.myles@dnr.mo.gov. Per Missouri State Parks’ refund policy, customers canceling an event registration six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date agree to forfeit their reservation refund, regardless of the circumstances.
Program Change Policy:
Organizers reserve the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate any proposed offering. In the event that the program is canceled by Missouri State Parks, customers will be refunded in full to the original form of payment within seven business days of the cancellation notice.

For more information:
If you have any questions prior to the day of the event, please contact Kintauna Myles, outdoor recreation coordinator, at kintauna.myles@dnr.mo.gov, or Jessica Doleh, park superintendent, at Jessica.Doleh@dnr.mo.gov.
Event Day Contact Information:
To get more information on the day of the event, please contact the Thousand Hills State Park office at 660-665-6995.

Dark Sky Program
2026-08-21 20:30 - 22:30
8/21/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, MO.
Thousand Hills State Park is hosting a series of dark sky programs again in 2026. Join park staff and representatives from Truman State University at the Point Shelter on one or more of the dates listed below to explore the stars and sky above you. The 2026 programs are planned for select Fridays from March to November.
Telescopes will be set up at the Point Shelter, but you are welcome to bring telescopes of your own, along with chairs, blankets and binoculars. These events are free and open to the public, and there is no need to register. For more information, call the park office at the number provided below.
Program Dates and Times (All Programs Are Weather Permitting):

March 20, 8-10 p.m.
April 17, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
May 1, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
May 22, 9-11 p.m.
July 3, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Aug. 21, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Sept. 11, 8-10 p.m.
Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m.
Nov. 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Thousand Hills State Park Contact Information:

Park address: 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, Mo.
Phone number: 660-665-6995

Related Links:

Astronomy events at Missouri state parks and historic sites

Nature Painting Class: Fall Nature
2026-08-29 13:00 - 15:00
8/29/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo.
Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes help participants connect with nature and express their creativity. In each class, participants will learn how to paint a specific nature scene. These scenes are listed in the table below.
These programs are free and open to the public. Supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Space is limited, and you are encouraged to reserve a spot by calling the park office at 660-665-6995.
Series Overview:

Date
Time
Scene
Event Location

Sat, Apr 4
1-3 p.m.
Night sky
Park office

Fri, May 15
6-8 p.m.
Spring nature
Special-use area

Sat, June 20
6-8 p.m.
Sunset on the lake
Special-use area

Sat, Aug 29
1-3 p.m.
Fall nature
Park office

Fri, Oct 9
6-8 p.m.
Winter nature
Park office

Nature Painting Class: Winter Nature
2026-10-09 12:00 - 14:00
10/9/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo.
Thousand Hills is hosting a series of nature painting classes again in 2026. Led by park staff and volunteers, these classes help participants connect with nature and express their creativity. In each class, participants will learn how to paint a specific nature scene. These scenes are listed in the table below.
These programs are free and open to the public. Supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. Space is limited, and you are encouraged to reserve a spot by calling the park office at 660-665-6995.
Series Overview:

Date
Time
Scene
Event Location

Sat, Apr 4
1-3 p.m.
Night sky
Park office

Fri, May 15
6-8 p.m.
Spring nature
Special-use area

Sat, June 20
6-8 p.m.
Sunset on the lake
Special-use area

Sat, Aug 29
1-3 p.m.
Fall nature
Park office

Fri, Oct 9
6-8 p.m.
Winter nature
Park office

Fungal Foray
2026-10-11 09:00 - 11:00
10/11/2026 | Thousand Hills State Park | Kirksville, Mo.
Come discover the diversity of fungi that exists within Thousand Hills State Park. During this free event, participants will collect fungi specimens and then discuss their findings. The program will be led by Truman State University professor and mycology researcher Bob Johnson.
All are welcome to attend. Please bring a basket and dress appropriately for a walk through the woods.
When and Where:

The event will begin at 9 a.m.
Meet at the parking lot just south of the day-use area playground, across from Red Bud Trail.

GPS coordinates: 40.18288, -92.64874

Thousand Hills State Park Contact Information:

Address: 20431 State Highway 157, Kirksville, Mo.
Phone number: 660-665-6995
