Trails Lead to Memorable Outdoor Recreation in Southwest Missouri
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f rolling hills, beautiful scenery and pristine waterways are calling but you don't like to get too far away from city amenities, Springfield, Missouri, is the place for you. In and near the third-largest city in the state, people who enjoy hiking and biking can stay on the beaten path or take a walk on the wild side with trails for all skill levels and abilities. Start your outdoor excursion with a shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World where you'll find all the gear you need for your activities. The iconic store in Springfield is the first and largest Bass Pro store in the world, and it's filled with everything from camping gear to hiking shoes and more. With free museums, huge aquariums and other activities inside the store, be sure to plan plenty of time for that retail excursion. When you're not on the trails, Springfield has plenty of other activities outdoor enthusiasts adore, including Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, named best new attraction and best aquarium in "USA Today" reader surveys. With hundreds of live animals, exhibits and art, WOW will entertain you for hours. Special excursions include up-close encounters with penguins and diving with sharks. Be sure to check out other things to see and do in Springfield at www.SpringfieldMO.org.
Trails to Explore
Hiking, biking, kayaking and canoeing trails abound in the Springfield area. Here's a sample of what you'll find. Ozark Greenways With more than 140 miles of trails crisscrossing Springfield's terrain and connecting other communities to the city, recreational opportunities are available for people of all ages and abilities. Springfield Conservation Nature Center Three miles of walking trails provide opportunities for tree and plant identification, bird watching and spotting animals native to the Ozarks, including deer, wild turkey, mink, muskrat, reptiles and more. Sac River Mountain Bike Trail A moderately rugged natural-surface trail popular with mountain bikers and hikers, the perimeter Sac River trail is two miles, but there are more than eight miles of interconnecting single-track trail. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield The paved tour road through Wilson's Creek National Battlefield includes a wide path for bikers and walkers. Other trails throughout the park offer ways to explore historic sites and scenery. The LINK Bike riders can use The LINK, a route along city streets that have low traffic volume and slow speed. 37 North Expeditions Explore the area's trails with the assistance of professional guides who know the Ozarks well. From easy to expert levels, 37 North Expeditions helps people enjoy trails known for breathtaking scenery. Dirt 66 Mountain Bike/ Walking Trail A 6.65-mile long mountain biking and walking trail is under construction at Fellows Lake, the first phase in an eventual 33-mile, $1.8 million trail project. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park This 10,000-acre paradise offers opportunities for biking, horseback riding, Segway tours, tram tours and private tours of the park's waterfalls, greenery, and fields filled with roaming buffalo. Henning Conservation Area Much of this 1,534-acre area consists of steep hills covered with forest interspersed with scenic glades. Lakeview Trail This trail goes around Stockton Lake and provides spectacular views of the lake that is popular for sailboating and other water activities. Big Piney Trail Be sure to bring water and a map, because hiking Big Piney Trail means you're hiking in the wilderness! Greer Spring Trail You'll be in awe when you reach Greer Spring, the second largest spring in Missouri. Access to the spring is via a .9-mile trail that descends about 250 feet along a gentle gradient from the trailhead at Missouri 19. Cedar Gap Conservation Area Visitors can explore the headwaters of Bryant Creek, view limestone glades and explore the forest at this conservation area. Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area Nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycles and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep, forested hollows and down long ridge tops.
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