Springfield sits at the doorstep of some of the best hiking in the Midwest. From paved greenway trails minutes from your front door to rugged backcountry paths through Ozark wilderness, there is a trail here for every skill level and every kind of day. Lace up your boots, pack some water, and go find your favorite.
In-Town Trails (5 to 15 Minutes from Your Door)
Springfield Conservation Nature Center
- Distance from Cherry St House: 10 minutes
- Trail length: 3 miles of interconnected loops
- Difficulty: Easy
- 80 acres of Ozark forest right inside city limits. Three miles of walking trails wind through hardwood forest where you might spot deer, mink, wild turkey, or any of the 180-plus bird species recorded here. The nature center building has free exhibits, a gift shop, and restrooms. No bikes or pets allowed on trails.
- Address: 4601 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804
- Phone: (417) 888-4237
Visit Missouri Department of Conservation
Galloway Creek Greenway
- Distance from Cherry St House: 5 minutes to nearest trailhead
- Trail length: 6.1 miles paved
- Difficulty: Easy
- A paved greenway that connects Sequiota Park to the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Runs along Galloway Creek through wooded corridors and open meadows. Great for walking, jogging, or biking. Connects to the larger Ozark Greenways trail network.
South Creek Greenway and Valley Water Mill Trail
- Distance from Cherry St House: 10 minutes
- Trail length: Valley Water Mill loop is about 1.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- A peaceful loop around a 17-acre spring-fed lake. Popular for bird watching and a quick nature break. Connects to the larger South Creek Greenway for longer walks.
Ritter Springs Park
- Distance from Cherry St House: 20 minutes
- Trail length: Multiple trails through 245 acres
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- A local favorite with wooded trails, a natural spring, and picnic areas. The Nature Trail is the standout, winding through some of the most scenic sections of the park. Archery range and volleyball courts on site.
- Address: 3683 W Farm Rd 92, Springfield, MO 65803
Close Day Trips (15 to 45 Minutes)
Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area
- Distance from Cherry St House: 25 minutes south on US-65
- Trail length: 18 miles of interconnected loops
- Difficulty: Easy to difficult (choose your own loop)
- One of the best trail systems close to Springfield. Well-marked paths through rolling Ozark hills shared by hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Multiple loop options let you pick a 2-mile walk or an all-day adventure. Primitive camping available.
- Address: US Highway 65, Walnut Shade, MO 65771
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
- Distance from Cherry St House: 20 minutes
- Trail length: 4.9 miles paved tour road plus 5 walking trails
- Difficulty: Easy
- Walk the ground where the Civil War’s Battle of Wilson’s Creek took place in 1861. The paved tour road works for walking or biking, and interactive stops along the way tell the story of the battle. Five additional walking trails branch off through meadows and woods. A National Recreation Trail and a powerful piece of history.
- Address: 6424 W Farm Road 182, Republic, MO 65738
- Phone: (417) 732-2662
Visit National Park Service Page
Fellows Lake and Dirt 66 Trails
- Distance from Cherry St House: 20 minutes
- Trail length: 2.5 miles around Fellows Lake, 10-plus miles on Dirt 66
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Fellows Lake trail is a scenic 2.5-mile walk with lake views. It connects to the Dirt 66 trail system, which offers over 10 miles of singletrack through woods with views of the lake. Dirt 66 is popular with mountain bikers and trail runners. Peaceful and usually uncrowded.
- Address: 4200 E Farm Road 66, Springfield, MO 65809
Worth-the-Drive Day Trips (45 Minutes to 2 Hours)
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 1 hour south
- Trail length: 6 miles paved, 9 miles nature trails
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- A privately managed 10,000-acre nature park with paved paths winding past waterfalls, caves, crystal-clear streams, and hand-built stone bridges. You can walk, rent a bike, or take a guided tram tour. Wildlife tours take you through bison and elk herds. On-site restaurant, trout fishing, and horseback riding available. Admission required, and tram tours sell out fast, so book ahead. Dogs on leashes welcome.
- Address: 2038 W State Hwy 86, Lampe, MO 65681
- Phone: (800) 456-4812
Hercules Glades Wilderness
- Distance from Cherry St House: About 1 hour southeast
- Trail length: 32 miles of maintained trails
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Missouri’s oldest designated wilderness area and one of the most scenic spots in the state. Over 12,400 acres of open limestone glades, forested ridges, and creek drainages. The hike to Long Creek Falls from the Coy Bald Trailhead is about 5 miles round trip and is the most popular route. Panoramic views from the glade tops are spectacular. This is a real wilderness experience, so bring a map, plenty of water, and plan ahead. No drinking water available on site.
- Trailheads: Coy Bald (off Hwy 160), Blair Ridge (off Hwy 125), Hercules Tower (off Hwy 125)
- Phone: (417) 683-4428 (Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs District Office)
Visit USFS Hercules Glades Page
Frisco Highline Trail
- Distance from Cherry St House: Trailhead in Springfield
- Trail length: 35 miles one way (Springfield to Bolivar)
- Difficulty: Easy (flat, rail-trail conversion)
- Missouri’s second-longest rail trail runs from Springfield to Bolivar through a mix of wooded canopy, farmland, and small towns. The first 8 miles from Springfield are paved. The rest is packed gravel. Willard, about 8 miles out, makes a great turnaround point with food and restrooms near the trailhead.
Pro tip: The Springfield Conservation Nature Center and Galloway Creek Greenway are perfect for a morning walk before you head out for the day. For a bigger adventure, Busiek and Hercules Glades are the local favorites that deliver real Ozark hiking without a long drive.
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