Get Out and Explore: Ozark Greenways Pt. 2

Get Outside and Explore: Ozark Greenways Trails, Pt. 2

Looking to get out of the house and explore?  Our Ozark Greenway trails are some of the best in Southwest MIssouri and offer a little something for everyone!  Biking, running or walking -  all of the trails have something to keep the whole family wanting more exploring and nature! 

Let’s continue to travel the trails that our beautiful area has to offer.

Schuyler Creek Greenway 

Length: .75 miles   Terrain: Paved Surface

This trail is located in Republic, MO.  It is currently ¾ of a mile and has plenty of picnic tables and benches to relax on!  This trail is just getting started though… in 2020 the City of Republic received funds to go toward the trail extension.  The preliminary plans show that the new section will eventually head south to Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield.  The trail right now is surrounded by residential lots but the new extension offers more of a rural trail experience as it winds through old growth woods and farmland hills.

South Creek Greenway

Length: 6 miles total    Terrain: Mixed asphalt and concrete paved surfaces

The South Creek Greenway trail runs east to west through the middle of Springfield.  It is also a National Recreation Trail by the National Park Service and American Trails.  The trail starts at the McDaniel Park Trailhead and links to locations like Nathanael Greene Park/Close Memorial Park, the Springfield Botanical Center, multiple schools and many neighborhoods!  Another cool highlight of this trail is the two-mile trail section that the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society adopted.  It now hosts over 100 species of birds. 

African-American Heritage Trail

The mission of the heritage trail is to continue to bring light to previously undocumented history and involve the Springfield community in the identification and contributions that have been made by people of color in our community! The trail will follow the Jordan Creek Greenway trail and has several meaningful sites along it - Sherman Avenue Corridor, the former Lincoln High School, Jones Alley Business District and the Historic Church Quadrangle.  Silver Springs Park is another important site to visit along this trail.  This is a definite must for all local history buffs.

Trail of Tears Greenway

Length: 3 - ½ mile segments complete  Terrain: Natural and paved surfaces

Another fantastic trail that is historically rich and has cultural significance is the Trail of Tears Greenway.  This trail is a segment of the cross-country Trail of Tears Historical Trail. Segments of the trail elaborate on the history through signage, where possible, and uses natural surface to preserve the character the Cherokee likely encountered nearly 180 years ago.   The National Historic Trail of Tears route runs through Springfield and a portion of the route is near Republic Roads and Golden Avenue.  Another completed segment begins at Nathanael Greene Park and continues south to Battlefield Road.  This is another great trail for the history-lover in your life.

Ward Branch Greenway

Length: 4 miles total, in 2 segments  Terrain: Mixed concrete and asphalt paved surfaces

The Ward Branch Greenway is currently in two sections but will eventually join together.  One segment connects Burrell Center Lake to Twin Oaks Park and on to the Library Center.  Another section connects Wanda Gray Elementary to River Bluff Cave Archeology Museum.  This beautiful trail is very wooded and wanders next to the Ward Branch Creek.  Don’t miss out on the Missouri Institute of Natural Science’s “Riverbluff Cave Museum”! 

Wilson’s Creek Greenway

Length: 5 miles total  Terrain: Mixed asphalt and concrete paved surfaces

Wilson’s Creek Greenway is another one of our National Recreation Trails that are located in our area.  This greenway connects to South Creek Greenway in Southwest Springfield.  This lovely trail travels through Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park and connects to all of the South Creek Greenways destinations! 

Coming in Part 3 - The Frisco Highline Trail and some exciting new trails that are in the works! You can find more information about all of the Ozark Greenway Trails HERE.