What’s on

Programs & Events

Field trips, nature programs, boat season, and open days at Smithville Lake and the county’s historic sites.

Native wildflowers in front of the Smithville Lake Nature Center.

Programs

All 5 programs

Students at wooden desks during a living-history lesson.

History By advance reservation

One-room school field trip

Mt. Gilead School

Up to thirty students spend four hours in an 1880s lesson, taught with McGuffey's readers and slates.

The Nature Center building behind a bed of native wildflowers.

Nature Weekdays, by appointment

Nature programs for groups

Smithville Lake Nature Center

On-site and off-site nature programs are available to schedule for organized groups. The Nature Center has more than 15 live animal species and charges no admission.

A rental pontoon boat with passengers on the lake.

Recreation May 1 to October 1

Boat rental season

Camp Branch Marina

Rent a pontoon or fishing boat by the hour, the half day, or the whole day. Reservations open April 1 at 816-407-3420.

Daffodils blooming in front of the Pharis farmhouse.

History Special-event days

Pharis Farm open days

Pharis Farm

The 1927 conservation farm east of Liberty opens to visitors during special events.

A disc golf basket above the lake at sunset.

Recreation Self-guided, three courses

Disc golf at Paradise Pointe

Little Platte Park, Smithville Lake

The courses are Beaver Creek (par 56), Black Thorn (par 58), and Woodhenge (par 63). A nine-hole beginner course sits inside Camp Branch Campground.

Open every season

Plan a visit Reserve a site