In the 1800s people depended on native plants to provide a wide variety of food, medicine, tools and other necessities. Many of these plants are still found on Crowley's Ridge today. Join a park interpreter for a leisurely walk to discover some of the many uses of our native plants. The walk is 1/2

<p>Bear Creek Lake is home to river otters, beavers, and muskrats. All
these animals have developed unique adaptations to allow them to utilize this
lake in different ways. Join a park
interpreter to explore how each of these mammals uses the lake to their
advantage.&nbsp;</p><p><br>
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<div><div>Fishing on Bear Creek Lake is a popular recreation activity for both locals and visitors. Anglers enjoy reeling in bass, crappie, catfish and shellcrackers, to name a few. When it comes to bait – nothing beats live minnows! Join a park interpreter to learn how you can turn your scrap into a minnow</div></div>

Planning on a camping trip this fall? Join a park interpreter to learn to tie a variety of knots that can be utilized for camping, fishing, or even basic survival.&nbsp;

Frogs and toads lead a double life. They begin as aquatic tadpoles and polliwogs living and breathing underwater, and then transform into land-dwelling insect-eating machines throughout Mississippi River State Park. Join a park interpreter to explore the double lives of frogs and toads.&nbsp;

Evenings are often a good time for a quick orientation to the park. This evening we begin our campfire program with a quick welcome and park orientation. We will finish with a short program looking into the absorbing domain of our aquatic mammals. Join a park interpreter to get acquainted with the

Stop by the exploration table to see if you can guess which native mammal hides we have out today. Our park staff will have hints and pictures available if you need them, and to help younger visitors figure out what they are looking at and touching. Plus we will have curious facts for you to try and

<p>Evenings&nbsp;are often a good time for a quick orientation to the park. Join a park interpreter to get acquainted&nbsp;with the park and become a bat ambassador! Don’t forget to bring your camp&nbsp;chairs and a flashlight.</p>

Have you ever wanted to cook in a cast iron Dutch oven? Here’s your chance. This evening you can help a park interpreter prepare and cook a couple of tasty treats for you to try. We will cover the basics of temperature control as well as how to care for cast iron cookware.

Join the park interpreter as we explore the changes butterflies go through from egg to adult. We will cover host plants that can be found throughout the park and that you can plant in your yard to help caterpillars grow on their path to becoming butterflies as well as native plants that adults use