Hiking Around Springfield, Missouri

Christopher King owns and runs Queen City Motors and Queen City Motors Service Center in Springfield, Missouri. Outside of work, Christopher King of Springfield, Missouri enjoys several recreational activities, such as playing chess, going to the symphony, cooking, and hiking.

There are numerous hiking trails in and around Springfield. Many of them are paved with asphalt or gravel, making them accessible not only for hiking but bicycling, baby-walking, wheelchair users, jogging, and strolling. One very popular such trail is the Springfield Conservation Nature Center Trail. A short 2.1-mile loop on fairly level ground, the trail is located in southeast Springfield and features a boardwalk in marshy areas. This is an excellent trail for a short afternoon walk in a countryside environment.

Just outside the city limits, the Wilson Creek Greenway Trail is another popular multi-use “there-and-back” trail, running from South to North for about 12 miles from Tal’s Trailhead in the South to Rutledge Wilson Farm Park in the North. There are several access points along the trail’s route, which roughly parallels Wilson’s Creek. Partially paved, the trail offers countless opportunities to commune with nature and is appropriate for all skill levels.

For a more rugged experience, hikers can visit the Hercules-Glades Wilderness in the Mark Twain National Forest, about 65 miles southeast of Springfield. It Boasts 32 miles of unsurfaced maintained trails, as well as cross-country hiking. These trails aren’t for beginners and should only be hiked by those with plenty of experience. Camping is permitted, and there are few amenities in this wilderness area, making it an ideal location for a weekend back-to-nature backpacking trip.