CORPS ANNOUNCES APRIL PARK OPENINGS, PROGRAMS AT DEWEY SHORT VISITOR CENTER

BRANSON, Mo. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will open six of its recreation areas on Table Rock Lake Saturday, April 1. These parks include Campbell Point, Cape Fair, Cricket Creek, Mill Creek, Old Highway 86, and Indian Point.  

Aunts Creek, Baxter, Big M, Eagle Rock, and Viola will open May 1.  Moonshine Beach, which is a day use only area, will open May 15. Site specific camping and picnic shelter reservations for Table Rock Lake recreation areas can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service by calling toll free 1-877-444-6777 or visiting the reservation website at www.ReserveUSA.com.  

The Dewey Short Visitor Center is open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  It is located just south of Table Rock Dam on State Highway 165.  The visitor center offers interactive displays, a 22-minute movie, and viewing decks overlooking Table Rock Lake and Dam. Picnic facilities and a 2.2 mile asphalt surface trail are located on the visitor center grounds.

            Several park ranger led programs are planned at the visitor center during the month of April.  Unless otherwise noted, programs begin at the visitor center, are free, open to the public, and no registration is required.

Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the special event tent on the visitor center grounds.  Park rangers will offer programs for all ages with topics ranging from mammal skins to navigation.

Learn more about Table Rock Dam when you visit with a park ranger from 11 to 11:30 a.m. on Mondays, April 3 and 10 and Wednesdays, April 19 and 26 at the Dam Overlook off of Highway 165 (across the highway from Dewey Short Visitor Center).

Nature Tales is held at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, and 25.  Join park rangers and volunteers for nature stories and activities. Each program will last about 30 minutes and include reading a nature themed story and hands-on activity.

Talk with a park ranger about the different recreational opportunities on and around Table Rock Lake on Thursdays, April 13, 20, and 27 at 11 a.m.

Stop by the visitor center to learn about hiking trails available in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas at 10 a.m. on Fridays.  Then, join a park ranger on Table Rock’s Lakeshore trail at 11 a.m. on Fridays, April 7, 14, 21, and 28 to learn about the blooming flowers and trees along the Lakeshore Trail.  The hike will begin at the Lakeshore Trailhead.

Attend mammal mania Saturdays, April 8, 15, and 29 from 1 until 3 p.m.  Participants of all ages can test their mammal knowledge by matching furs, skulls, scat, and tracks.

Bring the family to the visitor center from 2 until 3 p.m. on Sundays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 to test your nature knowledge in a human-sized board game.

Some programs may be cancelled because of weather.  For more information or to verify that a program has not been cancelled, please contact the visitor center at 501-340-1943.

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