Great place for a hike. Variety of terrain from paved to gravel, to paths with good sized natural rock pavers to boardwalks over marshy like areas. Walk up and down hills and cross the lake/river arm on the long trail There are springs and wildlife to see and bridges to cross. There are less arduous shorter trails as well. May well see a deer, duck, turkey or goose or some other surprise!! Whats not to like having a slice of nature so close town️

Excellent walking trails, kept up great. Its a good place to run or to take a stroll its shaded most of the trails. Some open Trails for the Prairie field. Time your hike correctly and you will see lots of wildlife, deer, snakes, Chipmunks, Hawks, lots of squirrels and birds.

Free, great trails for the whole family with creeks to explore and lots of wildlife.

I love this place! Such a great place to enjoy nature. Leave your pets at home though, they are NOT welcome.

All trails were open, people were very courteous. Highly recommend it for a taste of mostly raw nature.

Been a great spot in Springfield to enjoy a walk for years now. Trails are great and there is always plenty of wildlife

Beautiful day! Loved the meandering stream.

Had a great time at the nature center! Today we went for a quick walk (only 15/20 minutes) but there are lots of trails to explore for people with the time! What a beautiful location.

Great place for a walk. Very peaceful. Great nature center to learn about the local wildlife.

Our family loves this place. We go multiple times a year. Great activities for kids inside!

When I want a little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, I take my family to the nature center. With multiple trail lengths and abundant nature, theres always something new to discover.

Great place to be in nature, see animals and to even get exercise!

Inside is great for toddlers to play and watch live turkeys.

Great place to walk.

YOU HAVE TO BRING A CAMERA FOR ALL THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY!!! And to see wildlife is almost a guarantee. I have visited multiple times and even brought my kids. We had a blast. The trails arent to steep, they are well maintained and the agents are a huge help. The signs are easy to navigate and its extremely quiet considering its tucked in the corner of James River and 65. If you like the outdoors, or heck if ya dont you will enjoy any time spent at the nature center.

Such a wonderful beautiful location and great any time of year to see outdoor wildlife

This place is amazing! Ive been to quite a few state parks in my day and this tops the list. Im surprised there arent many more reviews on this amazing park. While walking the boardwalk through the woods you totally forget youre still in the city! They even have an indoor nature center. You can tell a lot of money has been put into this place. People are saying dogs arent allowed however there are other areas of the lake away from the nature center and boardwalk where I have seen people with their dogs enjoying that area of the park.

Beautiful nature scenery with water around the trails and sight of James River Freeway and Highway 65. And when I meditate, this is one of the various places in the heart of South Springfield that I picture an experience at.

Not a bad place to walk or exercise but I got my car broke into on the broad daylight!

A great place ti learn about the area...plants flowers animals. Exhibits inside are very good. The trails are well maintained and easy.

One of my favorite places in Springfield. Sometimes the trails are crowded, but its not like Silver Dollar City in the middle of July Crowded.

Beautiful nature walk!

Walking the trails are relaxing and good forPhysical therapy.

Very good trail goes around 4 miles if you take most of the side trails.

Fantastic place for the whole family! Programs, trails, exhibits. Did I mention everything is free?!We checked out one of their backpacks for our hike. It included a really nice pair of binoculars, an electronic bird sounds device, leaf rubbing kit, a kids magnifying mirror for critters, and more.They even gave my boys free books on Missouri snakes, and one about frogs and toads of Missouri.As a parent on a budget, this place is a gold mine!

Love taking long walks and having my kids to learn more on nature walks!

I enjoyed the nature center.

Great place to go and great place to take the kids had a blast. It was eagle day the kids wife and I loved it.

Great place to enjoy the Ozark weather and scene. Fun indoor area for all ages.

I thought the turtle was cute. the place is awsome the trail is pretty

I mean it looked nice, and Im sure the trails are delightful. I didnt stick around long though, because they dont allow dogs. They should probably put that on their website, so people with pets dont waste their time.

Wonderful place for quick excursions. Location and ease of access are positives. The wildlife has developed some tolerance to human presence allowing closer observation than might otherwise be possible. The trails are not challenging to traverse, however some areas can be slick or muddy if it is precipitating. The visitor center offers displays and information on conservation, hunting, fishing, and is worth a look.

You can’t take dogs on the trails with you, I mean seriously? On a leash well behaved but you tell us to leave because of a puppy. Way to go Missouri conservation center.

Well maintained trails. The center is small but nice with good activities to teach kids. The staff is helpful and happy to be there.

Very interesting tour. We did the ghost tour and our guide added in the history of the Castle. It would have been nice to have a more personal tour with fewer people and to see more of the castle, but we did see two floors and the basement. I would love to see this business add some overnight stays or at least extended tours with smaller groups. There were some other reviews that mentioned some rudeness of the staff. I only noticed this with one staff member who got a little overzealous when telling us where to stand. Otherwise, they were very polite.

Great place for a fun, informative, free field trip for our homeschool co-op. Trails, beautiful sites, live and stuffed animals. Indoor sites and manipulatives with many gorgeous outdoor views for too hot or too rainy days. Ive brought my children here since they were toddlers, and now my baby is 17 on a field trip, he remembers it and still likes it! Winner! Note: for groups they have Scavenger Hunts and for families to age 12 they have Junior Conservationist booklets-for free. There is a photo blind trail, a variety of trail lengths/difficulties, and an area you could picnic outside or a lovely park very close by to picnic at. Bonus: the employees and volunteers go above and beyond and are incredibly nice.

Beautiful, fun, well kept and best of all free!!

Beautiful place! Nature all around and there are free magazines, got to see some pretty dope stuff. The saddest part was when a snake(i named it billy) ate a fish (yey billy!) Than with the fish in his mouth he swam away... Right into the mouth of a gigantic snapper turtle(who i named billy bob). Then billy was no more :(

So inviting. Awesome in town.

Enjoy the nature as it is. Make sure that you visit it during the spring or nice summer days. And, don’t forget to come prepared. Have plenty of water, healthy snacks, and comfortable close toed shoes. Take your camera or make sure that your smart phone is charged, so you can take some pictures. Be ready to see some dears. Even if you prefer visiting this place alone, having someone with you is always a better option.

Awesome place. Just wish they did the Hunters Saftey Course more oftenlly.

I went several times last simmer from June to October and every time was a let down. the pavilion was nasty with trash the bathrooms were nasty a well. i know the smell from the standing water is nothing that can be helped but if its that bad, why its it a conservation area? what are we saving? the mosquito population? saw plenty of snakes so watch out! my oldest had an issue with wasp while we were there.we wont be back

Definitely a very nice place to go walk around and just relax! Theres plenty activities for kids in the main building as well. I had a lot of fun walking the Long Trail while playing Pokemon Go. Also, seems like most of the employees are Team Instinct since all of the gyms around are chock full of Team Instinct Pokemon...

I am 29 years old, and have been coming here all of my life. My parents and grandparents brought me here as a toddler, and I would play among the exhibit area and then we would walk the trails. It is a bit nostalgic for me, because while the exhibit areas have been updated and modernized, they are still largely the same. The indoor space includes a small nature shop run by the Missouri Department of conservation. It also includes bathrooms, meeting spaces, and a large, physical map of the trails and land. The exhibit space has interactive exhibits geared more mostly towards kids, from toddlers to probably around 10 to 12 years old. One of my favorite features of the building is the bird viewing room, with this sofas and chairs and spaces to watch the birds outside the large windows. The trails here aren’t especially long, or extensive. They are not difficult, at most being hilly for a short time. The thing I like the most about the trails here is the diversity of ecosystems that they pass through. These include Woodland, rocky glade with springs, stream/lake, and prairie/grassland. The entire trail, at its longest, takes me around 45 minutes to an hour. There is also the option to take an extension trail that leads you to Sequiota Park. This place is a well-known spot, so don’t expect to come here and have the place to yourself. But for what it is, I love it, and it’s my happy place.

My family always enjoys walking the trails & seeing all of the plants & animals. They have recently redid some of the indoor exhibits & have done a great job with them. We especially love the dark cave inside where they give information on animals!

Such a fun place and my nieces and nephews always have a blast here!

Great trails with lots to see! If you go at the right time you will see a lot. We saw squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, ravens and lots and LOTS of turtles. The trails are in good condition and pretty easy to traverse. Some of the rocks are slippery so watch for that. The inside is pretty nice too. It offers a nice reprieve from the heat in the summer. There are a few activities and displays to pass the time. Definitely family friendly.

Very beautiful

They need to have someone fix all the interactive kids electronics that dont work. Was really let down to have to keep telling my kid. Sorry its broke or sorry it doesnt work.

I love this place just to walk the trails and enjoy nature. Highly recommended!!

There is always lots of plant life & wildlife every time we go. We hike with our 10 month old baby and he keeps entertained the whole time! There are trail lengths appropriate for every age. All of the trails are well maintained.

Great trails, excellent staff, cool building with interactive exhibits.

Experience the great outdoors. Several miles of wooded nature trails. Breathtaking views of the the Ozarks hills and hollers. Sections of the trails are planked to make your trail hike more enjoyable. Enjoy a stroll through the woods, past creeks and streams to enjoy natures beauty.

I love the variety of trails. Theres a simple, fairly flat trail, a more moderate trail, and a trail that is longer and hilly. I also love the exhibits in the building. My children love looking at the turtles and fish. They have a variety of programs for all age groups. Overall this is a beautiful, family friendly place to enjoy nature.

I have been using the Springfield Conservation Nature Center for years to walk for exercise and pleasure. I have hundreds of wildlife/nature photos taken around the property. It is an excellent place for kids young and old to meet nature. And, oh yes, the no pet rule for this type of educational area is important. Thank you to the excellent staff for making my visits a pleasure!

Pretty great place reminded me allot of back home. Its nice to have a place like this analysable in a city where there is no gravel roads near.

If you have a dog youre wanting to take on trails, dont bother with the drive. I got to the poorly planned parking lot, where I was greeted by signs saying no pets are allowed. While the facility looked nice, I never got out of the car because my two dogs were with me. I understand them having to stay outside, but they arent allowed anywhere on the property. Im not very motivated to revisit when I could take my dogs somewhere else.

Cant bring pets. What kind of a nature center doesnt allow pets???

I have hiked here a lot over the years and enjoy the trails, nature and wild life. I have seen an eagle nesting near the creek a few years back. Always expect to see white tail or turkey especially early mornings or around dusk. Ducks can be viewed from the duck blind on James River. The Nature Center is conveniently located on the Southeast side of Springfield making it easy for anyone visiting town to spend a few hours away from traffic or shopping. The only drawback from the Nature Center is that they discriminate. Its ok for coyotes to roam free but no domestic dogs allowed even on leash.

Free fun and learning about nature - cant beat it!

I used to live in Springfield and this place was my favorite to come to relax from a stressful day at work. Its great for Families with kids too. I would highly recommend to anyone that loves nature like i do.

The Springfield Nature Center is a great place to take your kids. Its fun, there are a lot of things to do. If you visit now theyre partially closed for remodeling. Parking is very scarce. You can expect to park a half-mile or more away and walk in. Thats probably OK anyhow, since youre likely there to walk anyhow. :)

This is a great place to take the family 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.

This place is great. The hike is short enough to take small children. We saw a lot of deer on the trail.

Wow! I am incredibly impressed and thankful for this amazing gem for the surrounding communities. What a wonderful experience for people of all ages.

Just a great family spot to just enjoy nature and serenity

Good rain or shine! The center has a number of interactive exhibits and a bird-viewing room indoors. There are several hiking trails that are never crowded. Find out what educational kids programs are being offered - they often include live animals or something to touch and feel.

Was really looking forward to visiting, but more than half the trails were closed because of flooding! wont be back to the area, so it was disappointing, but i really loved what we did get to see. nice interior exhibits also.

Beautiful day to hit the trails for some exercise!! Plenty of shade to keep it cooler and yesterdays rain was pretty as it flowed through the streams.

Great for people of all ages.

Was here for their Insect-o-Rama event. Friendly people, lots of excellent exhibits, and everyone more than happy to talk about the various spiders, caterpillars, and butterflies/moths they turn into.

The scenery is gorgeous, and there is seemingly no end to the trails you can walk!!! Great place for the family!

Great place to go for a walk,unfortunately they dont allow dogs.

Very nice lots of feathered friwnda here most times!÷÷

When we went in February the water was still frozen and it was so beautiful!

Great resource for families and homeschooling advocates. The miles of trails will guarantee that you see animals while getting exercise!

Love the trails. They did a great job with all the great walking paths. Highly recommended.

Every time I visit the city I try and make it here. Amazing space in the city.

We LOVE the nature center. It is a perfect place to take the kids and the guides are very knowledgeable!

Very nice place. Went on a field trip with my child. They had fun!

Went on a field trip today with my second grade class. It was a nice hike, and the center was wonderful as well as the educational program provided.

Went walking the trails today and my family and I saw a doe and her two babies. This was my first time ever going to the nature center and it is now one of my favorite spots in Springfield.

You askin whereabouts Berdoo U is? Heck it all! Ye gallops beyond Orange Crush with Ol Wind Muriah agin yer back, after Shady Rock an a fist full o pastured horses - why Spinster Mollys goat will be a yellerin. And turn in at Screech Owl Bridge. Set down at the hitchin post cuz the. Saspyrilla will tip yer 10 gallon, and its half price ifn ye used the boot grate.

My favorite trails! I am looking foward to traveling back to Missouri, just for their trails.

Great Hiking trails that will give you a good workout, but still easily done with kids.

Its a very pleasant area to find some peace and get in touch with a little nature when living in Springfield.

Great walking trails, they also have great events for kids and nature.

I loved coming here as a child, now I enjoy bringing my kids here to explore!

Great place to get outside and for the kids to learn about the natural world.

Fun fun

Great place to hunt pokimon and to get some exercise too.

Great family fun lots see and do

Would be perfect with some more pokes stops ;)

It is a nice oasis for Springfield to go for a short walk.

Get ready to walk, best place to exercise.

Awesome place to take a trail!

Awesome place to bring the kids!

Love walking the trails

Love it!

The trails are open on Mondays