At last, leaves are turning red and gold and we’re nearing the peak of this year’s fall color. With grand wilderness landscapes within a two-hour drive, it’s a great time to plan an outdoor scenic adventure and we’ve got robust hiking and road trip guides to help you do just that.
But if you don’t have time for a fall road trip, don’t worry you’ll miss the autumn show. We’ve got you covered with this local guide featuring 16-plus suggestions for leaf-peeping around central, north and south Springfield.
Center City and Downtown
If you know, you know. One of the most beautiful spots to enjoy rich fall colors is in the heart of our city. Maple Park Cemetery, 300 W. Grand St. between Campbell and Jefferson Avenues, sees an uptick in visitors this time of year for good reason. Its colorful range of maple trees turns red, yellow and gold, transforming the park-like setting into a popular fall foliage destination where it’s not unusual to find locals wandering with a camera.
Perhaps the most photographed spot is the tree-framed historic gazebo. The charming structure, once a bandstand, has an onion dome cupola and intricate architecture. It sets the tone for this peaceful spot established in the late 1800s.
Don’t just look up! This time of year, also watch for patches of tiny purple autumn crocuses peeking through grass and falling leaves.
Just three minutes away is Phelps Grove Park at 950 E. Bennett St. near the Springfield Art Museum. Like Maple Park, Phelps has mature trees that turn bright in the fall. Enjoy them while walking along pathways or visiting the playground and historic picnic shelter.
Don’t miss Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway St. between Jordan Valley Ice Park and Hammons Field. This artsy urban downtown retreat is a pleasure to stroll anytime, but especially so in the fall. Here, tree-lined pathways strewn with falling leaves wind through softly rolling hills. There’s a nod to city history in the play area that includes a Springfield Wagon. And the ever-vigilant silent figure of K-Man stands watch from season to season.
North Springfield
North Springfield, especially its most rural areas, is a fall foliage mecca. Drive around backcountry roads and you’ll catch fall flavor without breaking a sweat. Or pick a spot to stroll like Doling Park, 301 E. Talmage St., for a more immersive experience. With historic structures, a museum (open April through October), walking paths, and play and picnic areas, this pretty park has been a fall destination for decades. Lovely orange-leaf maples frame picnic shelters, making them perfect spots for an autumn outing. A small lake enhances the experience, reflecting Doling’s foliage when it changes. Don’t forget to visit Giboney Cave!
Northeast, Valley Water Mill Park, 2450 E Valley Water Mill Road, is a favorite outdoor spot that’s easy to navigate. The loop trail meanders along the lake, over bridges and up into the hills for a lovely overlook to the spring below. Catch it when fall colors peak and you’ll enjoy the tranquil ambiance while tromping through woods of gold and orange.
Fellows Lake, a little farther north at 4200 E. Farm Rd 66, is a fun place to hike in the woods, with the crunch of falling leaves underfoot heralding the year’s final months. We listed the address for the marina but there are trails all over this park. (Learn more about Dirt 66 trails at the Ozark Greenways website.)
For a fall bike outing — or a longer stroll — follow the Fullbright Spring Greenway Trail to Lost Hill Park, 4705 N. Farm Road 151. Or park at Lost Hill for a fall picnic and to explore its old farm buildings and creek areas. On the outskirts of Springfield, Lost Hill is a rural joy that just feels like fall this time of year. The Fullbright trail also connects to Ritter Springs Park, 3683 W Farm Road 92, another city park with a rural ambiance that includes a small spring lake, spillway waterfall and plenty of fall color in the wooded acres.
South Springfield
Enjoy more than fall trees when you visit the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 S Scenic Ave. This park, with multiple planned gardenscapes, is rich with fall texture. Tall waving grasses, red berries, gold and red shrubs in addition to golden trees turn the park into a must-visit fall destination.
Stroll around the lake and through west-side winter gardens. On the east side, visit the Grey-Campbell Farmstead for an old-timey harvest touch. Nearby, the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden is stunning this time of year. If you feel like walking or cycling a little farther along a wooded paved path, head west on the South Creek Greenway Trail which winds along a stream.
For a hilly hike through fall-color woods and along a creek branch on the edge of the James River, head for the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. It’s one of the best local spots for bird-watching, too.
If you take the Long Trail to a spur that leads to Galloway Creek Greenway Trail, you can extend your fall walk to the James River arm of Lake Springfield Park. Or enjoy fall color at Sequiota Park, 3500 S. Lone Pine Ave., before heading out on a fall bike ride toward the James. Either way, you can reach one of our favorite fall color overlooks at the James River Iron Bridge.
From the iron bridge, follow East Timbercrest Street to the Southwood Canoe Access and James River Greenway and Honor Trail that goes along the James River near the Springfield Veterans Cemetery — another lovely fall day destination. Want to see color from the water? Dress warmly and launch your kayak or canoe from Southwood. Or start here to stroll or cycle the trail that winds along the river.
The Honor Trail continues up a hill, past the photogenic railroad bridge, through wooded areas and ends at a dirt path to the lakeshore and a view of the boathouse.
Lake Springfield has several more spots for catching fall color. The trees along the bank at the Lake Springfield Fishing Access are a good photo spot. Or walk along trails and near the shore of the park at 2312 Lake Springfield Park Road. Like disc golf? This park has one of the best courses: Enjoy fall color while you play.
And finally, although it’s not actually in Springfield, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, 5242 S. State Hwy ZZ, Republic, has both scenic drive and hiking options. If you want to enjoy changing trees, early morning wildlife and pretty fall vistas with a dose of battlefield history, drive the park’s tour road. Or park at one of the tour stops and head out on foot. The battlefield has a wonderful network of wooded trails. (Learn more about the park’s trails in this Daily Citizen guide.)
Have another spot to suggest? Send an email to jkessinger@hauxeda.com or sonyhocklander@gmail.com. Photographs in this story were taken in previous fall seasons and may not reflect the current color when you visit these locations.
