King of the Hills

5 great hikes within 50 miles of Springfield

Despite the winter that just won’t go away, the calendar says spring is around the corner, and in this age of Green living, what’s more Green than embracing the great outdoors? But where to start? We sent some novice hikers—canvas-shoed GO editorial intern Trey George and several of his mates—across the Ozarks to find five hiking hot spots. Here’s his report on the five best hikes within an hour’s drive.

 

Busiek State Park

Sac River Trails

Hercules Glade Wilderness Area

Ozark Greenways Trails

Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Other Resources

So you really do want to head to Arkansas? Here's a rundown of a number of trails near the Buffalo National River.

Mohiking.com focuses on hikes in the eastern portion of the state.

There are all sorts of things to do in the expansive Mark Twain National Forest

Devil's Backbone Wilderness Area is only a couple of hours away, with great floating nearby.

A recent Ozarks-focused entry from hiking blog Beetles in the Bush.