Best National Park Springfield Near Me

Courtney Bowman: Wow. No pets? In a park with trails? Will not ever be returning. Not recommended.

m: No pets allowed

E Wise: This is a great place to take the family, hike, and to take pictures. There are a variety of things to see. There is a photo blind next to the waters edge for photographers. Most of the trails are stroller friendly. Inside the nature center there is a bird watching room. There are some books for sale and a place to recycle rechargeable batteries.

Chief Brody: Very nice nature, several trails, and a photo blind to get some nice photos if waterfowl.

Caleb Carlile: Great place to take family too. There’s a lot of wilderness to offer. Great structural driving area to park. Easy accessible to allow traffic through. Plenty of walk paths to sight-see.

Joshua Berzins: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center has some of the best walking trails in the Springfield area. Check this place out! You won't be disappointed.

Danielle Jones: Great place for a field trip! Kid friendly staff and excellent presentation. Would highly recommend taking students there!

Gail Dietmeyer: Beautiful maintained trails. Nice and partially shaded. A bit of relaxation on the edge of the city. Kind of that feeling of getting out into the woods without going to far and you never know what to may see for creatures.

Grass Hopper (GreenVibezIguanaDaddy): A fantastic place to go for a stroll through nature

Lori Eaton: The trails are well marked and well maintained!

Braxten Clark: Great place! Lots of natural habitation. Great well kept trails. Perfect for getting out into the wilderness within city limits!

Heather Roberson: I recently went here with my Mother-in-law. The trails were amazing and well kept. There was a wide variety of birds and wildlife. There is plenty of stuff to learn and see at the main building too. Im taking my family back here to learn about our state wildlife! Ive been here years ago but forgot about this gem in Springfield. Its amazing that you can start a trail by the highway and a mile down the road be surrounded by nature and bird calls. We completely forgot the highway was so close. Thank you to the Conservation Department for this wonderful gem!

Hannah Cain: Very beautiful. Nicely maintanted trails. Easy for young kids.

Jessica Cowin: Beautiful hike

Jaden Polmanter: I love that there's a nature conservation in Springfield, you don't have to go far too get some nature. The only downfall is that it's in Springfield so it's right by the highway. And that's only an issue on one part of the trail. Other than that it's serene and full of wildlife

Nancy Morris: Great place for a hike and fun for the whole family, but leave Fido at home. No pets allowed.

Russell Carney: Great place to hike!

Bj Keene: Good hiking trails from beginner to moderate highlighting Missouri's different ecosystems

Eric Weiskopf: Even after winter spurt, the temp Rose and created a very nice hike opportunityRestrooms: Center includes access to clean, welcoming facilities

Hilton A: It's a nice mix of different terrain. Compact gravel, dirt, muddy spots in wet weather, smooth and jagged rock, elevated platform walkways, small stream crossings with bridges are all there. It's well maintained. Nothing is too strenuous but there are hills if you chose to go down those trails. Almost always having tree cover, except for the winter months, it feels and looks great. Just don't expect great vistasThe only bad thing is the noise. It sits adjacent to and along highway 65 south of Springfield on the way to Ozark and Branson. The constant, loud drone of a major traffic way just can't be escaped anywhere here. I recommend some nice nature sounds in some earphones while you walk the trails. Just stay aware and safe.

Cindy Byers: Too crowded and lots of dogs with owners not picking up the pooh

Chris Coffman: A very nice park with playground for children and many trails for hiking. It's located in a unique section of town with restaurants, shops close by. Tables for picknicking and pet-friendly!

wendy head: Homeless sleeping inside of caves.....

Garry: Great place in town

Jesusita Gilbreath: Always a beautiful park to visit

David Farley: Cave. Restrooms. Pond. Walking. Hiking. Jogging. Biking. Sunbathing. Bbq Grill. Benches. Wildlife.

Tishia Turbyfill: Well maintained parkPlayground: Two separate, for toddlers and older.Restrooms: CleanDog-friendliness: Poo bags along GreenwayPicnic area: Many options

Eric Stickney: Such an amazing park. Three caves but you can't go in them at the moment. A big pond with all kind geese and baby geese. But our favorite part is all the small trails in the woods. They brake off into so many direction you can walk a different trail everytime you come. I highly recommend you go to this park.Just remember to keep an eye on you kids cause we had to help a lost child the last time we was there.

Alyssa Bigham: Gorgeous park. I used to come here as a kid and still enjoy it just as much

TC L: Great place to take a walk and check out the small caves they have.

Roberta Gotchie: Great place! Nice place to walk your dog

Kelea DW: Way to crowded...

sandra pruett: Beautiful park

Josh Terrell: Beautiful place for a walk and talk.

Pam Kennelley: Very nice parkRestrooms: Restrooms needed cleaning. Which is the reason for 4 stars and not fivePicnic area: Nice and clean

Amanda Blair: Beautiful hike. Kinda bummed we could not enter the caves due to the bats but very understandable so we took scenic rock climbing hike. Saw some geese as well.

Scott King: Great place to take smaller kids so they can use the playground and not get hurt.

Mark Wedlock: Playground: The grandkids had fun in the playground area.

Clayton King: This is a great place to go with all members of the family including the pets. I would wholeheartedly recommend this place for a walk, picnic, or just a place to sit and rest. Go and see what I mean.

Dylan Remenar: Our 6 year old daughter had a great time here playing in the water, near the caves and walking the trails around the lake.

Steven Wooters: Well preserved battlefield and surrounding area. Nice visitors center with film and excellent dioramas. The largest collection of long guns, pistols and edged weapons I've seen at a battlefield, the two gun carriages are excellent.

Jano: What a wonderful place to learn about a terrible part of American history.The museum was incredible.A true must see for anyone traveling to the Springfield, Missouri area.Whether you walk the trails or drive through it is a great place for all.They gave my 11 year old nephew a bunch of badges for filling out a pamphlet/booklet that they provide. It is a very interactive place for kids as well as adults.Restrooms: Very clean !Picnic area: Plenty of shaded areas to picnic at tables under big shade trees right by the parking area.

Katie Child: This was a really cool stop. There's no admission fee. The visitor center had great exhibits, and the driving loop was really neat. There was a thunderstorm on the day we visited, and the thunder sounded exactly like cannons, which made it feel like we stepped back in time and could hear the battle going on in the distance.

Jarrod Bruther: We went to the museum first and watched the 30 minute movie. I highly recommend doing that before you tour the battlefield. It helps you understand what you are looking at.

Steven Maurer: Very nice exhibit layout, both in the museum and the grounds.

Lenora Watkins: This is a really nice park will special programs throughout the year. Nice trail to walk or ride bikes. And its free enjoy

Alex Hennis: Very well taken care of. The grounds were well manicured. The roads and trails are weak kept, too. It's a nice place for a picnic.

Jack Carello: Very Awesome Experience! It was a great experience to learn all the history! It was awesome to take in all the beautiful views. Without any doubt going to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is a great opportunity to take advantage of!

Jake: We stopped here on a whim on the way back home expecting a small site with some information boards. We were excited to find a robust education center staffed with knowledgeable historians. If you can, try to pick Park Ranger Ken Elkin's brain. The guy is a font of knowledge.

Stortz Wellness Intentional Living: Drove up from Branson to check out the battlefield. The visitors center is newer and done really well. We watched the 28 minute film which explained a lot and then toured the visitor center. We then did the 5 mile loop. It would have been fun on bicycles and reminds me a bit Cade’s cove in the smokies. We drove the loop and walked to the historic spots. Some were neat and others not much to see. Definitely stop at least at the ray house and the bloody hill battlefield.Nice guided tour of the Ray house and learned a lot. Be sure to check yourself for small ticks. We found several on each of us on our time there. Bring some water and walking shoes as well.

Angela Folstad: Beautiful!

Terry Sellers: Awesome National Park with tons of history. Ranger staff was very helpful, friendly, & knowledgeable. Tour the whole battlefield at your own pace. If you are in the area, this park is a must-see.

Kathleen Hanley: Really Interesting. Bring tick spray for the trails.

Ellen Gray: Art in the park with free music! Nice evening. Great place for history and hiking.

Sherry Strutton: Loved it. Ranger Nash was very helpful and informative.

Nicky Phillips: If you love historical battlegrounds this is a great one to visit.

David Castleberry: Go to quite a many battlefields this is one of the nicer ones and the education museum is wonderful very very well put togetherRestrooms: Restaurants at the main entry

Stacey Stoneman: I got evps at the place where they origonally buried the bodies. Worth going to if youre a ghost hunter.

Christopher Banks: Great displays, well kept grounds

Carmen Martucci: Very friendly and knowledge rangers

Frederick “Jay” Johnson: Nice park

Chelsea Sisneros: Decent playground equipment. Kind of an unsettling area with the woods full of trash right there.Playground: Nice not super old.

Brittany “Bratney” Seriena Ross: Great trails to walk quite place to relax

Jess Wright: Nice park kids love it

Joseph Barton: Good spot to hop on a bike trail, play frisbee golf or let the kids play on a swingset

Justin White: I love going to this park it's fun take my kids there a lot

Abbott Electric: Great disc golf course always a great time

B S: Really cool place to walk & the trails are nice

Mr.Mobirdguy Wilson: Was great

BEACONofLIGHT4u Mr.StinkyBudzman62: Loved it here

Jody Langstraat: Sometimes they don't mow the grass. Other than that nice walking trail.

Jj Joe: It’s a good place!!

Eric Weiskopf: A little wet but still a nice walk.

Heather LEWIS: Awesome

christine weathers: We rode our bikes on the trail

Abigail Walton: Nice

Boo Whoo: Love the Bike,Slash walking trail love taking dogs on it!!

Earl Teer Jr: Very Nice park.Love the connected trail.

Ruth Kates: You know my friend and life!!

jason henson: Good place to drive

Dale Ketel: Vandalized

M Guerin (MGGMAIL): Cool cave trail , beautiful walking areas .althought not very much water in creek this season . Very overgrown and ticks and bees bad this year

Stevie Mckenzie: Great walking trails, beautiful ,nice creek to cool off

Payton Eisman: Gorgeous park, perfect for pics and a good walk

Ben hinkston: Nice park with a good amount of seating and very pretty scenery.

Dennis Kerr: Got to the park just as thunder storm rolled in 😞, maybe next time...

Zachary Parrish: It's a gorgeous area, the walk is peaceful, and the scenery and caves are really rad.

Angela Howard: A lovely walk that is beautiful in the spring. When water covers the path, that is when it isn't so greatWater makes path, making it tricky to cross.

Jonathan: Those of you with a high acrobatics level and a decent amount of curiosity will find the cozy cave club quite an interesting locale. I'll give you a hint: take the stone stairs down from the high meadow and you'll find the front door wide open for you! This place is gorgeous, I could go there every day. I'm a photographer so I notice other photographers and check out their gear when I see them. I see a LOT of other photographers, professional ones!, Photographers who get paid for things like taking senior pictures and wedding photos! So you know if the paid photographers are over there, it's a pretty place! The water you see running in my pictures is not year round, it's the dry Sac river and it's dry for half the year. Regardless of what time you go there, the place is gorgeous, with or without water. There's a place where the water has cut channels through the bedrock and some of these are 4 ft deep and more and when they're dry it's just amazing to look at you can walk through them like a maze! When the water's running, it looks like a fish tank. The water is crystal clear and beautiful. If I haven't convinced you to go, I don't think anybody will; oh well, your loss!

Darrell Powers: One of my favorite little spots in North Springfield, Caves, Natural Arch's and the Cozy Cave Club if you know where to look.

Tammy M: Fun find. Adventure throughout our hike.Playground: Swing setRestrooms: Porta pottyDog-friendliness: Must be on leashPicnic area: Yes, shaded

Michael Stone: Never could find that hill

timothy seleznov: Very nice place to run your bicycle

Felicia Anne: Always a beautiful place to walk!

GHOST FACE: My dogs favorite park

Larry Attwood: Very peaceful

Joseph Barton: This place starts with picnic tables and then wanders off with two trails that cross the river/stream. Some nice views and slippery shallow river crossings. Worth visiting.

Terri Andrews: Nice place to wander around and explore. Paved trails and creek crossings. Adventures await!

Mr. Feels: Beautiful walking trail/path

Megan Allen: This park is a hidden treasure.

breanna melugin: Always a great place for the familyDog-friendliness: Their is always a pup around somewhere the kids and I love it

Tre' Sawyers: My favorite place in spfd. Perfect place for walk, and great place to meditate. Whoever designed this place had zen in mind. These typed words do no justice to this immaculate garden.

Chris St. Romain: Very nice place for an afternoon stroll and take a break from it all.. Go!

Eugenia Williams: Wonderful walk at the park. Viewed lovely flowers and visited the butterfly house. The lake was calming and the benches all over gave an opportunity for a rest.

Arkan Attariya: Wonderful park. It's huge, there is a small lake and a vast variety of flowers and trees.

Sohail Ahmed: Very clean and we'll kept park and gardens. Great way to enjoy nature without leaving the city. Plants were in full bloom during visit (early June)Playground: Unique and interactive equipment. Activities cover all ages.

Paula St. Romain: Beautiful, clean place.. great for walks and picture taking!!

Alyssa Bigham: If you need a huge park to walk this your place!

Anne Griswold: This park is probably one of my favorites, as far as parks go, ever! It is amazing. It's one large park, comprised of several smaller areas (that have different names, to them) within the park.I love it so much - because no matter where you go, you feel like you're in a whole different park, with a whole different environment and foliage.Nathaneal Greene Park is also home to the Botanical Center of Springfield. It's a super neat nature center, with lots of awesome things, information, events, and even a rooftop-ish patio and gift shop.There is an old Schoolhouse, as well as an old 1800's house and farmstead setup, which is really cool - especially when they open them up, or you can go in and tour them, or when they have an event, utilizing them.Neighboring Nathaneal Greene Park is the Mizumoto Japanese Garden, which is a breathtaking sight, in and of itself! You won't want to miss the annual Japanese Fall Festival which is an amazing event that I never like to miss. #worthitTo get to the Japanese Garden, you drive into Nathaneal Greene Park, go to the left, and drive to the back, out near where the schoolhouse and homestead are. There's a decent sized parking lot back there, which is also a great place to start on one of the multiple trails that exist within the park.There's an area, Close Memorial (I believe is the name of that section of the park, that resembles the foliage and that of a Japanese style garden, containing several evergreen type trees, a bridge with a teeny pond, and gravel pathways that weave in and out between and amongst the trees. It's fun to just run around and feel like you're in a bit of a forest.There are two pavilions, at least 2 waterfountains, several areas with beautiful flower gardens, at least 2 larger playgrounds, and multiple other stops with plays capes for kids. One of the most beautiful things at the park (to me, anyway) is the gorgeous pond, and the bridge with the lovely waterfall, that faces Scenic Avenue.This park is a MUST SEE/MUST EXPERIENCE kind of park. There's a ton of space, lots of events planned within the community, and so many fun areas to explore.Park closes at Sunset, so make sure you can get to your car, before the gates to the park are closed.Playground: There are multiple places areas, all of which are fun. There are two larger ones, and some smaller ones spaced around the park. Lots of fun options!Restrooms: The only restrooms that I can think of, are either in the Botanical Center, when thats open, until like 5p. The others are right on the end of the large pavilion, near the largest playground.There is a third area over by the Pavilion, next to the (in front of the...) Japanese Gardens.Dog-friendliness: There are tons of dogs always being walked there. I believe there are dog stations for picking up after your furry friends.Picnic area: There are lots of places you could sit and have a picnic. There are two pavilions, lots of benches, or just shady areas. There are also some chairs in various spots, one or two areas in which overlook the pond.There's also another pavilion over by the Japanese Garden.

Angelica Martinez-Miranda: Love this park! Very well taken care of.Just make sure you are cautious where you step as it warms up. My 3 year old stepped on a pretty large black rat snake today. Luckily, it was pretty chill and didn’t strike just slithered away. I recommend to all my family and friends.

William Whaley: Great park ! Especially if you enjoy ornamental gardens.

Lewk Barx: Just did the date night in the gardens package for our anniversary. What a wonderful time. So romantic. Very thankful the park does this.

Joshua Joyce: The butterfly house was the star. It’s free and the volunteers are very informative. Note: please control you kids in there.

Nikki Sullins: Pretty park!

Bill Doering: Beautiful flowers, nice place to walk, many things to see.

Al Rector: Could spend days there so pretty

Lenora Watkins: This is an absolutely beautiful park. They had music in the park for free when we were there. Check their website for dates.

Chrissy Snow: Absolutely the most beautiful park in all of Springfield!! I love walking this park no matter what the season! Very beautiful and clean! Plus the flowers and landscaping is breath taking!!! The verity of flowers they grow in the spring is the most beautiful thing ever!

Kristine Walkingstick: Even though they had the bigger playground roped off for a little they still have a lot of neat places and plenty of shade!

Justin Earnest: Nice quiet walking area through some woods and fields

Hood Bunny: I can't lie this park was a little sketchy but it's a great place to walk your dog because nobody's there ever

Michelle Nunnery: Beautiful walking trails

Barry Armstrong: No access. No trail. Just a sink hole called a park. But hey, its 25 acres of undeveloped land in my backyard maintained by the park board, so I appreciate it!

Megan Matney: Very large nice dog park..but needs parking

Rowan Whittaker: A great Park that's kept more natural the other day I saw deer there ( two bucks and a doe remember it's a park so there's no hunting aloud). it has a tire swing and a field. you can also walk through the woods if you want. The entrance looks kind of weird at the entrance on Bellevue Avenue you just have to go to the right of the gate and duck under a wire you can call the Park Board and they say it is that way to keep it more natural. However, there are stray dogs there so you'll have to watch out!

Stephanie Smith: Its such a unique place you almost don't want to share it. This is not a park with swings, it doesn't have a slide, and it doesn't even have a lot of visitors. But its quiet, it is in a great location and offers a really lovely experience when you need to get away. Oh and did I mention GREAT WILDLIFE!!!

Matthew Stublefield: Great big field to run around and explore.

Nancy Jane: It was quiet just a undeveloped meadow and path through a brushy area

Dionne Plaster: Good place to get out in the morning and clear your head

Cody M: This is not a park. Lol it's a field. There some bums staying in a tent. Lol

Dillard Gilmore: Great place to go on a secluded nature hike with your gal. Rarely ever see any one else. Secluded. Kinda private

Jamie Lee “DollBaby” Doe: Love ut its my back yard

Jordan Shepard: Meh - I'd rather visit the George Washington Carver museum, but OBVIOUSLY better than the Lurvey Park.

Jeff Cotner: Beautiful area

Ashton Sypolt: Had a awesome time. Everyone loved it

Leon Bryant: Very very interesting place to go

Jason Streubel: Love you run here - enjoy the beautiful

Asian Persuasion: Nice place to chill

Brandon Norman: Secluded. Nice Green space. Uninviting. Literally no made made objects other than a tire swing

ELNORA DANIELS: This park is beautiful and tranquil. Lots of activities for family, kids, and friends!

Taylor Wise: Beautiful trails with lots of wildlife.Dog-friendliness: Dog friendly

Lucy Adams: Restrooms: I didn't see any restrooms there

sandra pruett: Beautiful scenery and hiking trails

M Guerin (MGGMAIL): Water very full of overgrown algi

Stacey Cannon: Fun small walk around lake with lots of fishing and covered places to picnic.

Marie MomTalk: Great place to hike or fish. Very well kept landscaping, and free to enter. Also has small outdoor picnic area.

Amusic Guru: Great place for quick hikes or taking the kids fishing!Dog-friendliness: Great place to take your dog on a trail walk

Blake Santner: Nice park to walk in

James Collins: Quiet, beautiful place to sit, talk, smoke cigars with my son; nearby parking;

Jacob Tipton: Very nice trail especially to walk your dog on. Mostly very friendly people and a really pretty place for kids who haven't had much chance to really see the outdoors. Honestly I have to edit this just to say this is my absolute favorite place to go. A truly well kept path through the woods around the water with beautiful views. Would highly recommend to allDog-friendliness: They sometimes have poop bags located by the restrooms very helpful. Great way to experience the woods for your dog with a well manicured path friendly to most. There are roots and uneven footing but mostly just trip hazards avoided with careful footing

Travis Southern: Nice park but not great a lot of road noise not a real quiet place

Katelyn Hayter: Pretty clean hiking trails, my kids loved going and it's so close to home. Fishing is also fun around here, just a good place for adventures!

Jonathan Dowell: Excellent habitat for wild birds. Excellent trails. Outstanding Ozarks watershed stewardship.

Blaine Heimer: Beautiful area. Lots of fish.Restrooms: CleanDog-friendliness: Pet friendlyPicnic area: Public lake access. With hiking trails. And even a equestrian area.

Dan Caldwell: Great time with my granddaughter walking the trails

Megan Buckner: Beautiful

Jennifer Barnes: Absolutely a beautiful hidden gem

Terri Andrews: A little nature right outside of town. Gorgeous place to take a stroll. I just love this place. Not a long walk but you can get a quick workout here at lunch and enjoy nature.

Julia Juarez: Will be going back a super cute stop on our road trip home.