In the southern part of the state, an hour north of Branson is the Route 99 icon, Springfield city! It might look like a small town but Springfield has so much to offer! It has all the excitement of a big city but with beautiful national landmarks, American heritage sites, sprawling botanical centers, to the best car collections in the whole of Missouri!
The beautiful natural landscapes and outdoor activities make Springfield one of the best scenic spots to visit! What makes this city more beautiful are the people, everyone in Springfield is happy to meet you… you are always greeted with smiling faces and that makes visiting this city a joy!
While there are many tourist attractions to visit and pretty fascinating things to do in Springfield, today we are talking only about the 3 best scenic spots to visit in Springfield, Missouri. If you are in town, then these 3 places are a must-visit!
An hour away from Springfield is a paradise called the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park! With 10,000 acres of natural beauty, serenity, beautiful waterfalls, and rugged scenery, this outdoor paradise is one that you just cannot miss when in Springfield.
The 4-mile trail can be explored either walking or on a bike or you can even take tours with the Segway or tram tours. A family destination that has plenty to offer, you can go hiking, biking, horseback riding, or explore wildlife tours, handcrafted bridges and so much more. If you like fishing, then take a guided or self-guided fishing tour amongst towering buffs and enjoy catching some lovely rainbow trout. All the while enjoying the scenic beauty that stretches across the park.
So, head over for an adventure and spend a day up-close with nature at the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park.
A breathtakingly beautiful and scenic spot, Fellows Lake is a local favorite, and rightly so! This 860-acre lake was created by the impoundment of the Little Sac River. The main source of drinking water for the Springfield communities, this lake is a perfect spot for an afternoon family outing. You can kayak or go on a motorboat and enjoy the scenic beauty around the lake. Fishing enthusiasts can find a quiet space and spend an afternoon fishing here. There are many fishes in the lake like bass, walleye, crappie, and muskie.
If you are looking to spend some quiet and relaxing time, then Fellows Lake has a pleasing open field with a breathtaking view of the lakefront.
Consistently rated as Springfield’s top-rated tourist attraction, the Nathanael Greene Park is a 113-acre park that is home to Springfield’s botanical gardens. If you are visiting this park, then you might want to plan for the whole day because it has so much to offer! You will be amazed by the beauty around you and the different things you can explore.
The botanical gardens boast a number of themed gardens like daylilies, hosta, Asiatic lilies, roses, dwarf conifers, iris, peonies, and more. From April-October, there is a Roston Native Butterfly House that is open. You can also explore the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Lake Drummond, or the oldest cabin in Springfield, the Gray-Campbell Farmstead.
You can also take one of the walking trails or check out the South Creek Greenway that is connected to the park and if you are up for a round of golf then you can go to the Horton Smith Golf Course that is right across the road!
There are plenty of beautiful and scenic spots that you can visit in Springfield but these 3 are our top picks. Springfield has so much to offer every visitor and if you are a nature lover, then this is where you need to head for your next vacation!