The Top 5 State Parks Near Springfield, Mo
Nature’s beauty and tranquility is a natural escape and stress-reliever, as well as an inexpensive one. What better place to enjoy nature’s beauty than by visiting a state park? It can provide a great alternative to the gym by getting you outside and into the fresh air, it provides areas to fish, hike, picnic, explore, or even just relax. There are all sorts of recreational activities to take advantage of in a state park, and I am fortunate as a Springfieldian, to be near some terrific ones, and here are my 5 favorites:
In Carthage, MO, you can visit a historic 7.4 acre tract that was the site of a 12-hour battle that began on the morning of July 5, 1861. The Battle of Carthage State Historical Site still remains as it was when the victorious Southern troops camped there on that summer night after the long battle. Missouri’s Gov. Claiborne Fox Jackson commanded the 6,000 troops that forced Col. Franz Sigel and his 1,000 Union men to surrender and depart to the stagecoach road to Sarcoxie. The park is located at 1009 Truman, Lamar, MO., (417-682-2279)
Bennet Springs State Park, 26250 Highway 64A, Lebanon, MO., (417-532-4338), is where many of my co-workers love to go to fish, camp, hike, and to enjoy canoeing. You can engage in a leisurely hike along a tree-shaded spring branch, or an intense 7-mile hike to investigate a natural tunnel, if you’re more adventurous. You will always spot the fishermen casting their lines along the spring branch, and many others opt for the natural environment and exhibits at the nature center.
Big Sugar Creek State Park offers distinct natural history in sightings of many plants and animals less common or absent in other areas of Missouri, like unique fish population, including the Neosho orangethroat darter. Here, you’ll find a Mecca of solitude in clear streams, and beautifully forested hillsides. The park is tucked deep into southwest Missouri, located northeast of Pineville in McDonald County, (417-847-2539)
One park that holds especially fond memories for me is Stockton State Park, 19100 S. Highway 215, Dadeville, MO., (417-276-5329). This was where our family done most of our swimming when I was a child. The waters are clear, and great for boating, fishing, water skiing, scuba-diving, and just plain relaxing. The fishing consists of bass, walleye, crappie, catfish, and bluegill, so you won’t want to forget your pole if you plan to visit here. The marina rents boats, personal water crafts, and even houseboats. And, as I mentioned before, the swimming is great, offering a very nice sandy beach with bathrooms. This is a great place to come for picnics, bird-watching, or for photographers wanting to capture some incredible nature stills.
If you’re seeking some top-notch trout-fishing, you might want to check out Roaring River State Park in Cassville, MO., (417-847-2539) The little ones or kids of any age will have a blast feeding and watching the fish in the spring pool, or you an tour the trout hatchery. As a child, our family also enjoyed this park, and I can recall lots of camping trips, smore-making, and teasing my bossy older sister. This park is very beautiful with its mountain like terrain and deep blue spring. There is also a swimming pool here, shaded picnic area, and a store, should you forget you toothbrush!
You can visit the Missouri Sate Parks Website at www.mostateparks.com for more information on any of the parks mentioned here, or the other great parks you may want to visit in Missouri. Missouri, known as the Cave State, is a state with a wide variety of scenic places to visit, and natural wonders to explore. Be sure to include one of them on your way through Springfield, or pick one to plan a day-trip, go spelunking, hunt for arrowheads, or just hang out, enjoy the serenity while banishing everyday stress!
