Thousand Hills State Park - Missouri State Park

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Thousand Hills State Park

State Park Information

State Park Overview
As the population of Kirksville expanded in the 1950s, the city sought to increase its supply of fresh water. Thousand Hills State Park was created following the construction of the 573-acre Forest Lake to serve as the citys reservoir. Today, the 3,215-acre park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the best of northern Missouri.

The parks central feature is the lake, created by the damming of Big Creek. While the reservoir supplies water to the community, the parks natural features recall a time when woodlands and savannas covered northern Missouri. Visitors can experience some of these natural wonders by hiking the parks trails.

The cool waters of Forest Lake offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, boating and skiing. Hiking, mountain bicycling and nature study are popular on-land activities. An interpretive shelter displays the parks petroglyphsrock carvings left behind by the areas inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago. Visitors wanting to extend their stay can sleep in one of the cabins - the dining lodge or camp in a modern campground to experience more of what Thousand Hills State Park has to offer.

Picnicking
There are over 60 picnic sites located within Thousand Hills State Park including four open shelters and one enclosed shelter. The shelters provide a perfect venue for hosting large family gatherings or special outings and can be reserved in advance for a fee.

The enclosed shelter can be reserved for $50 per day and has an occupancy limit of 75 people. The shelter includes two grills, 12 tables, benches - stove, refrigerator, electricity and a restroom facility with water on location.

Point Shelter - open shelter that accommodates up to 69 guests, includes two grills - children?s playground facility, electricity and water. The reservation rate is $40 per day.

The remaining three open shelters, Shelter 2, Dead Man?s Curve Shelter and the beach shelter -ll can be reserved at a rate of $30 per day. They accommodate between 36 and 48 guests and include outdoor grills. If not reserved -ll open shelters are open to park visitors at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional children?s playground facilities are located at Campground 1 and 3 -s well as at the main day-use picnic area.

For shelter reservation information, please contact the park office at (660) 665-6995.

Boating

Swimming
The beach at Thousand Hills State Park is open May 31 to Sept. 1 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Lifeguards are on duty full time. Dressing rooms and showers are also provided. A snack bar is open at the beach during these times offering soda, chips, water and candy.

The beach will be closed on days the concessionaire and the park superintendent feel the weather is inclement. Please check the boathouse for possible closing information or call the park office at (660) 665-6995.

Fishing and Hunting
Fishing

Thousand Hills State Park boasts excellent fishing opportunities at the 573-acre Forest Lake, which is stocked with crappie, largemouth bass, walleye and channel catfish among others.

All largemouth bass more than 12 inches but less than 15 inches and all walleye less than 18 inches in total length must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught.

Fish may be taken only with pole or rod with an attached line, limb lines or bank lines with the exception of carp, which may be taken by gig, longbow or crossbow during statewide seasons (no trot lines or jug lines allowed).

Not more than three poles or rods may be used by one person.

Bullfrogs and green frogs may be taken during the statewide season, but only by hand, hand net, gig, longbow or hook and lines.

Seining or trapping live bait is prohibited.

Outboard motors over 90 horsepower are not allowed to operate on Forest Lake.

Lodge
Thousand Hills State Park features seven duplex cabins overlooking Forest Lake. The cabins are open March through November. All cabins are air-conditioned/heated. Linens and towels are provided. Each unit has a bath with shower, patio, picnic table, barbecue grill and color TV. Kitchen amenities include service for eight people -partment size stove, refrigerator and microwave.

Check-in time is after 3 p.m. and check-out time is by 11 a.m. There is a $5 charge for each additional person over four per room with a maximum of six persons allowed per room. Rollaway beds and cribs are available at a nominal fee per day. No tents or camping on cabin grounds is allowed.

A photo ID and major credit card are required at the time of registration. Late arrivals are advised to call before 6 p.m. so proper arrangements may be made. The office closes at 9 p.m. daily. To inquire about availability or make a reservation, please contact the concessionaire at (660) 665-7119 or (660) 665-2811. Reservations are not accepted by e-mail.

Cabin rates for 2006 are shown below.

More Info

Thousand Hills State ParkKirksville, MO (October, 2002) Located just a few miles west of Kirksville (which itself is in the
north Missouri), Thousand Hills State Park actually very nice
...ap happy ? Watch me grow! | Main | Puppy Love ? January 21, 2003 Thousand Hills State Park Another from Calebs scrapbook. This is my favorite page yet! The journal part is the lyrics to the
...0232 Authorizes conveyance of state property in Thousand Hills State Park SponsorCauthorn LR Number0895S.01T Fiscal Note
state property in Thousand Hills State Park to James Lyons

few less distractions. The swim docks on Forest Lake in Thousand Hills State Park are a lot of fun! Tie up the boat, swim, fish
Cove" Forest Lake, Thousand Hills State Park MOZINGO LAKE PAGE

areas (Big Creek and Sugar Creek), muskellunge fishing at Hazel Creek Lake and Thousand Hills State Park. Also nearby is Novinger, whose residents commemorate their mining heritage at the Coal

Nature Programs
Park naturalists provide regularly scheduled interpretive programs during the spring, summer and fall months. Programs include nature walks, games and informative discussions on topics including the areas natural landscape and endemic wildlife. Also - interpretive shelter displays the parks petroglyphs or rock carvings believed to have been left behind by the areas inhabitants more than 1,500 years ago.

For additional information regarding interpretive programs, please check the bulletin boards at the park office and boathouse or call the park office at (660) 665-6995.
From Jefferson City Thousand Hills State Park is approximately two to two and one-half hours from Jefferson City. Travel north on U.S. Hwy. 63 to Kirksville. Follow U.S. Hwy. 63 (Baltimore St.) through the town of Kirksville. At the north end of town, turn left/west onto Hwy. 6 and continue for about three miles to Hwy. 157. Turn left/south onto Hwy. 157 and continue about two miles to the park entrance.

From St. Louis Thousand Hills State Park is five hours from St. Louis. Travel west on I-70 to Columbia. Take U.S. Hwy. 63 north to Kirksville. Follow U.S. Hwy. 63 (Baltimore St.) through the town of Kirksville. At the north end of town, turn left/west onto Hwy. 6 and continue for about three miles to Hwy. 157. Turn left/south onto Hwy. 157 and continue about two miles to the park entrance.

From Kansas City Thousand Hills State Park is close to five hours from Kansas City. Travel north on I-35 to Exit 54 - Cameron. Take U.S. Hwy. 36 east to Macon. Turn left/north onto U.S. Hwy. 63 and continue to Kirksville. Follow U.S. Hwy. 63 (Baltimore St.) through the town of Kirksville. At the north end of town, turn left/west onto Hwy. 6 and continue for about three miles to Hwy. 157. Turn left/south onto Hwy. 157 and continue about two miles to the park entrance.