Hiking

Let your stuffed animal enjoy a night of outdoor fun at the nature center! Drop your critter off at Runge on Thursday, July 10 or Friday, July 11, any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Then on Friday night while you’re at home, your plush pal will go camping, hiking, birdwatching, and more with other curious critters! After picking up your pal on Saturday, you’ll receive photos of their exciting adventures! The camp-out will be chaperoned by a naturalist and a permission slip for your animal will need to be completed at the time of drop off. One stuffed animal per child, please. Registration required. All ages

As the sun dips below the horizon, heighten your senses and discover how the forest comes alive at night. Embark on this nocturnal adventure complete with hands-on activities that will make your experience immersive. This is a no flashlight hike, meaning we will only be using red lights to avoid damaging our night vision. Make sure to bring bug spray and water, as well as proper walking shoes.

We will be hiking our Hickory Ridge Short Loop, which measures to 1/2-mile loop. Come prepared as this trail contains steep inclines and declines. Be sure to register all participants in your group, including children. Meet the naturalist by the frog statue in front of the nature center.

Join us for our monthly stroll along the trails of Powder Valley to enjoy the seasonal wonders of nature. What wonderful plants, animals and scenery will we encounter? We will discuss all the new wonders we discover in this particular time of year. Dress for the weather.

Grab your hiking stick and join volunteers from Runge Nature Center for a guided hike of Opossum Trail at Knob Noster State Park (Johnson County); 4 miles – intermediate. Meet at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided, but carpooling will be necessary as there is limited space in our vehicles. Hike leaders will contact participants via e-mail before the hike to give directions and other information. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Note: Registration is limited and closes on July 11 at 8 AM. Registration required. Ages 18+

The three levels of hiking in Missouri will get you completely set up to confidently set out on a hike of any distance here in the state! We will cover all the basics from mapping to what you will carry with you. This is a fantastic resource for the beginning hiker or someone looking for an easy way to get back outdoors!

Join us for a 3-mile hike to view the herons and egrets feeding in the MTC marsh. The young have just left the nests so we may see both young and adults feeding together. See some of the showiest members of all wading birds. Meeting details will be sent out to registrants the day before the program.

Registration required (adults) Grab your walking shoes and get ready for a leisurely stroll through the tree lined streets of Calvary, Forest Hill and Rose Hill cemeteries. Covering roughly 2-miles, this slow-paced hike will utilize cemetery roads and some sidewalks as we discover the beautiful trees of the area. During the hike we will discuss native and non-native trees and the threats to them, wildlife that rely on trees, hiking safety and other great urban hikes. The instructor will e-mail the exact meeting location to participants the week prior to the hike. You will receive an e-mail from the instructor if weather conditions indicate a need to cancel the program. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Southeast Missouri was a hotbed of Civil War dispute. Enjoy a 2.5 mile hike on Holly Ridge Conservation Area, and learn about the unique habitat of the area and the impact this had on the Civil War. Then, drive down the road and visit the Stoddard County Civil War Memorial Cemetery to view grave markers for soldiers from the county that fought on both sides of the Civil War.

This hike traverses moderately challenging terrain and is not ADA accessible. Participants will need to pack their own sack lunch and sufficient water.

Put on your hiking shoes and join volunteers from Runge Nature Center for a guided hike at Onondaga Cave State Park (Crawford County); 4 miles – moderate. Meet at Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City or the trailhead. Some transportation is provided, but carpooling will be necessary as there is limited space in our vehicles. Hike leaders will contact participants via e-mail before the hike to give directions and other information. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and pack a lunch/snack. Note: Registration closes on July 23 at 8 AM. Registration required. Ages 18+

Join a naturalist on a guided 2.6-mile hike through Valley View Glades Natural Area in Hillsboro, Missouri. Hikes will be held during all four seasons in 2025, and we will discuss the changes happening on this beautiful and diverse trail throughout the year! Keep an eye out for more dates to come! Please note: this is a rugged, natural-surface trail that may not be suitable for beginner hikers. For this reason, all participants should be 16 years old or older. Make sure to bring water, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes!

Please make sure to register all participants ahead of time.