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Arrow Rock State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | The state of Missouri and its principal river were both named after a tribe of Native Americans, known by the French explorers as the ?Oumessourit? or Missouri Indians, that once lived in the area of Van Meter State Park. Today, the park provides outdoor recreational opportunities and interprets the area landscape and the Native Americans who found it to be bountiful.
For many centuries, Native American hunters traversed the nearby marshes and prairies and the deep ravines and narrow ridges, locally known as the Pinnacles. In 1673, French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet composed a map that located a Missouri Indian village at the Great Bend of the Missouri River.
Van Meter State Park features remnants of this early village site. A hand-dug earthwork, known as the Old Fort, and several burial mounds lie within park boundaries. The area?s Native American history is also interpreted inside the park?s visitor center through exhibits and a large mural depicting the life of the Missouri Indians.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the park features hiking trails, an 18-acre lake for fishing, a campground and the Oumessourit Natural Area, which consists of a fresh-water marsh, fens and bottomland and upland forests. Picnic sites and two picnic shelters are nestled under lofty trees. |
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| Trails: |
| Van Meter State Park offers many recreational opportunities and historical interests. While enjoying the pleasing scenery and relaxed setting, visitors can get a closer look by taking a hike on one of six trails.
Lakeview Trail : This .6-mile trail follows along the west shore of Lake Wooldridge.
Loess Hills Trail : As this two-mile trail circles the lake, it passes through prairielike areas and dunelike loess soil of the Pinnacles.
Earthworks Trail : Beginning in the day-use area, this 1.4-mile trail leads to Native American sites known as the Old Fort and Mound Field. It also winds up the Pinnacles and through the forested part of Oumessourit Natural Area.
Cemetery Trail : This .25-mile trail takes visitors to the Vanmeter (historical spelling) family cemetery, which sits atop a hill alongside ancient Indian burial mounds.
Oumessourit Wetland Boardwalk Trail : This .75-mile trail allows visitors to experience the wetland and bottomland forested areas of the Oumessourit Natural Area.
Missouri River Overlook : This short trail (.16-mile) follows the ridge of a pinnacle and ends with a vista of the Missouri River bottoms, the river?s forested edge, crop fields and oxbow lakes. |
| Picnicking: |
| Under lofty trees sit picnic sites, a playground and two picnic shelters, which can be reserved, making the park a great place for large gatherings of family and friends. For information on reserving a picnic shelter ($30 per day), please call (660) 886-7537. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing:
The gate at the base of the lake road closes at sunset.
Swimming in the lake is prohibited.
State fishing regulations apply and a state fishing permit is required.
See bulletin board for daily creel limits.
Use canoes or small boats with paddles, oars or electric trolling motors only.
Boat rentals are not available. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Van Meter State Park - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR - Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in ... of Marshall on Hwy. 122 in Saline County Van Meter State Park was once the homeland of the Missouri ... | | Van Meter State Park - Camping - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, MoDNR - Department of Natural Resources, Information concerning state parks and state historic sites in ... Camping Van Meter State Park offers basic and electric campsites, available on a first-come ... | | Van Meter State Park - ... | Contact List | Committees | Documents | Mapping | Photo Gallery | Search | Links Van Meter State Park in northern Saline County has a variety of hiking trails, camping and important Native ... | | Van Meter State Park - A Missouri State Park a few miles north of Marshall. The park encompasses 1000 acres, 506 of which were donated by Annie Van Meter in 1932 in memory of her dead husband, Abel. Park Map Archeological ... | | Van Meter State Park Cemetery - Van Meter State Park Cemetery Abel James and Anna Marie (Pittman) Vanmeter. They were married December 10, 1885. He was born September 11, 1834 and died July 12, 1920. She was born July 7, 1863 ... | | Van Meter State Park - Van Meter State Park Miami, Missouri Mailing Address: Rt 1, Box 47 Miami, MO 65344 Contact: Phone: 660-886-7537 Museum Staff: Position Name Phone Superintendent 660-886-7537 Posted: 02/16/01; Last ... | | Oliver Homestead Bed and Breakfast - Marshall, MO bed & breakfast, Oliver Homestead Bed and Breakfast Inn offers period ... College, Jim the Wonder Dog Memorial Park, Van Meter State Park, Santa Fe Trail, and historic Arrow Rock ... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Under lofty trees sit picnic sites, a playground and two picnic shelters, which can be reserved, making the park a great place for large gatherings of family and friends. For information on reserving a picnic shelter ($30 per day), please call (660) 886-7537. |
| Directions: |
| Camping:
Van Meter State Park offers basic and electric campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Services include modern restrooms, showers and water. The showerhouse is closed Oct. 15 through April 30.
Cutting and collecting firewood is not allowed in the park. Firewood is available for sale. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
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