Mastodon State Historic Site

Mastodon State Historic Site The OFFICIAL page for Mastodon State Historic Site, Imperial, Mo. The state park system is composed of 92 parks and historic sites managed by the Dept.

of Natural Resources for the benefit of all Missourians. This forum is for speech related to Missouri State Parks. The views, opinions and positions expressed by users providing comments on this page are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of Missouri State Parks or any employee thereof.

We've got a honeysuckle problem, and we need your help! Honeysuckle is an invasive species and is damaging to our natura...
03/24/2026

We've got a honeysuckle problem, and we need your help! Honeysuckle is an invasive species and is damaging to our natural ecosystem. It outcompetes the native plants and quickly dominates the landscape. Volunteers will help us remove this invasive plant by cutting and treating the roots.

Join us from 9 a.m. to noon for any of our upcoming Honeysuckle Hacks:
Saturday March 28,
Saturday April 25
Saturday May 30
Saturday June 27

If you're interested in volunteering at the site for a one-time event (or more!), we would love to have you! Please call/text the site interpreter at 636-215-9784 with questions. Make sure to register on mostateparks.com/volunteer or call the site interpreter. In the event of weather-related cancellations, we will notify everyone on the registration list.

Volunteers should wear pants and sturdy shoes, bring insect repellant, gloves if available, and water. We will provide the tools. Volunteers will meet at the museum parking lot, located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

02/20/2026

Join us for the Living With Water Living with Water: An Introduction to Your Rock Creek Watershed!
When? Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5- 7 p.m.
Date: February 26, 2026

This open-house style event will feature representatives from multiple agencies with displays, educational materials and interactive opportunities for the public. Elected officials will also be present to address water-related questions. .

  facts: Freshwater habitats are home to more than 100,000 different species of plants, animals and insects.
02/11/2026

facts:

Freshwater habitats are home to more than 100,000 different species of plants, animals and insects.

Today is  . Did you know…The Meramec River provides clean drinking water to more than 200,000 people across Franklin, Je...
02/04/2026

Today is .

Did you know…

The Meramec River provides clean drinking water to more than 200,000 people across Franklin, Jefferson and South St. Louis counties? That’s more than 70,000 homes connected to this great river. Storm drains within the Meramec drainage basin send their water straight back into the Meramec, so it’s important to pay attention to what goes down our drains. Healthy choices at home help keep this river healthy.

01/28/2026

As of this morning, Mastodon State Historic Site visitor center and picnic area parking lots are now open and operating with our normal off-season hours! The Wildflower Trail will remain closed due to snow and ice on the stairs.

It's time for  ! Did you know…Missouri is home to seven first-magnitude springs? First-magnitude springs produce at leas...
01/28/2026

It's time for !

Did you know…
Missouri is home to seven first-magnitude springs?

First-magnitude springs produce at least 1 cubic foot of water per second—or about 65 million gallons per day! Big Spring is the largest single-outlet spring, producing an incredible 286 million gallons of water every day.

It's  ! Did you know karst is a landscape where rock such as limestone, marble and gypsum is dissolved to turn into sink...
01/21/2026

It's ! Did you know karst is a landscape where rock such as limestone, marble and gypsum is dissolved to turn into sinkholes, caves, springs, etc.? Karst is ideal for storing water as an aquifer and provides vast amounts of clean drinking water to people, plants and animals.

Celebrate  !Did you know there are 66 tributaries that flow into the Missouri River between Kansas City and its confluen...
01/07/2026

Celebrate !

Did you know there are 66 tributaries that flow into the Missouri River between Kansas City and its confluence with the Mississippi?

Many of these are small creeks, but major rivers like the Osage, Gasconade, and Chariton also join the Missouri. From its headwaters in Montana to its meeting with the Mississippi River, the Missouri stretches 2,341 miles—making it the longest river in North America.

Art by Bryan Dawes Haynes. https://www.artbybryanhaynes.com/

Today is not only New Year's Eve, but it's also  !Did you know sediment is the number one water quality pollutant nation...
12/31/2025

Today is not only New Year's Eve, but it's also !

Did you know sediment is the number one water quality pollutant nationwide?

It enters streams through erosion, often made worse by human activities such as construction, overgrazing, urbanization and logging. Excess sediment can harm aquatic plants, insects and predators alike. As a community, we can help protect our streams from unnatural sedimentation by planting woody, native, aquatic-friendly plants in riparian zones (within 100 feet of a stream). These plants help control runoff and reduce unwanted sediment entering our waterways.

It's  ! Did you know Rock Creek is home to several different kinds of macroinvertebrates—creatures without backbones tha...
12/24/2025

It's !

Did you know Rock Creek is home to several different kinds of macroinvertebrates—creatures without backbones that are still big enough to see without a microscope?

Mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, water pennies, and hellgrammites (dobsonfly larvae) are all frequently found in Rock Creek within Mastodon’s boundaries. These species help indicate water quality because they’re sensitive to changes in sediment, pollution, pH, and more. The healthier Rock Creek is, the more life it can support.

Today is  ! Did you know Missouri is home to nearly 70 species of freshwater mussels? Freshwater mussels (bivalves) are ...
12/17/2025

Today is ! Did you know Missouri is home to nearly 70 species of freshwater mussels? Freshwater mussels (bivalves) are filter feeders, removing algae, bacteria and other particles from the water. They help improve water quality and cycle nutrients and energy in streams and lakes. Because of this important work, they've earned the nickname "Livers of the Rivers."

Address

1050 Charles J Becker Drive
Imperial, MO
63052

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