BRANSON, Mo. – During the month of October park rangers will be offering the following interpretive programs and events at Dewey Short Visitor Center. All programs are free of charge and no registration is required.
Dewey Short Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 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 about the purpose and construction of the dam, 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.
The visitor center’s discovery room by the front desk will be showcasing geology of the Ozarks for the entire month of October. This exhibit will display geology, minerals, caves, a short video created by the rangers about the geology of the Ozark region and the importance of geology in engineering, especially in the Ozarks.
It’s finally autumn and that means hunting season in Missouri. The most important hunting tactic is safety. A ranger at the Dewey Short Visitor Center will be talking about ways to stay safe when hunting and places to legally hunt on Corps of Engineers public lands in Missouri. Catch this program on Monday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m.
What are, “The Ozarks?” What is it that makes this area so unique? Find out the answers to these questions and more at the geology of the Ozarks program on Wednesdays, Oct. 3 and 10 at 11 a.m. in the visitor center’s lobby.
Saturday, Oct. 6, a ranger will be talking about pollution and what you can do to help. Meet in the visitor center to learn more.
Speleology, the study of caves. Missouri has more than 7,300 registered caves in the state. This is how it earned the title of “The cave state.” Meet at the visitor center Saturday, Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. to learn more about the fascinating world that lies beneath our feet, how caves can affect building, like Table Rock Dam, and on Oct. 23 to learn about the unique critters that live there.
Do you love hiking and want to know where all the trails are in the area? Be sure to check out the visitor center Friday, Oct. 19. A ranger will be available at the Dewey Short visitor Center to show you where all of the best trails are.
Join us for a special program Oct. 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The visitor center will be hosting a “Night at the Museum.” Check in is 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside the visitor center. There will be crafts, educational activities, a live reptile program and a campfire overlooking the lake. For additional fun, be sure to wear your costumes (no masks please).
Finally, at the end of the month, on Monday, Oct. 29, a ranger will be talking about the importance of cold water safety and the specific hazards of cold water exposure.
Some programs may be cancelled in inclement weather. For more information or to check the status of a program, please call 501-340-1943.
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All programs will begin at Dewey Short Visitor Center unless designated with an asterisk.
Wednesday, Oct. 3 11 a.m. Geology of the Ozarks
Saturday, Oct. 6 11 a.m. Pollution
Monday, Oct. 8 11 a.m. Hunting recreation
Wednesday, Oct. 10 11 a.m. Geology of the Ozarks
Saturday, Oct. 13 11 a.m. Caves
Friday, Oct. 19 Pop up Trails
Tuesday, Oct. 23 11 a.m. Cave animals
Friday, Oct. 26 6:30 p.m. -9 p.m. Night at the museum
Monday, Oct. 29 11 a.m. Cold water safety