Springfield Conservation Nature Center
Something exciting is always happening at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Indoors you'll discover nature through programs, activities and displays. Outdoors, seasonal changes and unpredictable wildlife make each visit an adventure. So come visit our nature center often!
Natural
Surprise a white-tailed deer bedded in a cedar thicket. Smell the fresh scent of the Ozark woods after a rain. Watch an eagle snag a fish from an icy lake. At the Springfield Conservation Nature Center there are trails to walk, exhibits to explore, and videos and programs to enjoy. All year-round, it's the place to experience and learn about the Missouri outdoors.
Nearby
Within the city limits of Springfield, a half-mile from the intersection of US-65 and US-60, the Springfield Conservation Nature Center is easy to find and easy to get to. It is no more than a 25-minute drive from anyplace in town!
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is a little piece of the Ozarks within the city limits of Springfield. It's a place to enjoy nature's gifts, and to learn about the importance of taking care of them.
Bring a group...
Call or write in advance to schedule a naturalist-conducted program or hike for your school class, scout organization, tour or other group. Missouri teachers can arrange field trips which help fulfill for students the state's "Core Competencies and Key Skills." Take advantage of the center's pull-through bus parking area and large restroom.
Come on your own...
Hike a trail - we have six of them, short and long. Experience the sounds of the nighttime forest and discover how rainwater becomes spring water, all in the center's multi-sensory exhibit room. Watch birds and other animals visit our pond and feeders from the comfort of our indoor wildlife viewing area. Attend a special program, guided nature walk or video. Call ahead for a schedule or ask at the information desk when you arrive.
Nature Center Features
- Eighty acres of forests, fields and creeks, along with frontage on Lake Springfield.
- Wildlife, including deer, foxes, mink, muskrat, raccoons, squirrels, birds, turtles, frogs, bugs and just about everything else that lives in the Ozarks.
- Nearly three miles of trails, as short as a fifth of a mile, as long as two miles.
- A boardwalk over the marshy shallows of the lake.
- A building containing:
- 150-seat auditorium
- classrooms
- restrooms
- exhibits
- information desk
- sales of books, calendars, and fishing and hunting permits
- Regularly scheduled public programs, guided walks and nature films.
- Covered sack lunch area.
- Pull-through bus and RV parking
- Facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
What Does It Cost?
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, a state agency supported by fishing and hunting license revenues and a statewide 1/8-of-one-percent sales tax. No fees are charged at the center.
Regulations
Pets, horses, hunting, fishing, collecting, littering, fires and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the area. Bicycles, skating, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, and motorized vehicles are not permitted on trails.
Area Information
Building Hours
March 1 to October 31: Tuesday – Saturday, 8am to 5pm; Sunday, Noon to 5pm; Closed Monday
November 1 to February 29: Tuesday – Saturday, 8am to 5pm; Closed Sunday and Monday
Area and Trail Hours
March 1 to October 31: Daily, 8am to 8pm
November 1 to February 29: Daily, 8am to 6pm
Building, Area, and Trail Closings
The nature center building, trails, and area will be closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The building is always closed on Monday, including all state holidays.
Address
4601 S Nature Center Way
Springfield, MO 65804-4920
Directions
The nature center is located in southeast Springfield just west of US-65 off the James River Freeway (US-60).
Regulations
Pets, horses, hunting, fishing, collecting, littering, fires and alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the area.
Bicycling, skating, skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, and motorized vehicles are not permitted on trails.
What Does It Cost?
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, a state agency supported by fishing and hunting license revenues and a statewide 1/8-of-one-percent sales tax. No fees are charged at the center.
