Spring has officially sprung in Joplin! Check out our list of favorite weekend destinations to enjoy the great outdoors across Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.
For Family Fun – and Learning!
Wildcat Glades is a one-of-a-kind nature preserve and park managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. It is home to a biologically diverse assortment of plants and animals which are unique to the desert-ike chert glades- and environmental ecosystem which only exists in south Missouri! Stop by for their ‘Yoga in Nature’ programs, guided hikes and other outdoor educational and recreation programs for kids and adults!
Bonus: After adventuring at Wildcat Glades, don’t forget to stop by All Aboard Ice Cream just down the road. There’s burgers, ice cream — and you can eat in an old train car! It’s the perfect end to a memorable day.
Toast to the Season
Just a short drive north of Joplin is Keltoi Vineyards, a beautiful family-owned winery where you can sip and stroll all of your cares away. Bring a picnic lunch and dine al fresco with a bottle of wine in one of many scenic areas of the estate—patios, ponds, creeks, forest, firepits or even amongst the grapevines themselves. There is a mile-long walking trail around the property to explore, and don’t forget to visit the sacred stone altar for nature meditation and prayer.
Get Down and Dirty
Just outside of Bella Vista, Arkansas is Rush Springs Ranch, a premier off-road adventure park boasting 75 miles of rugged trails across the scenic Ozark terrain. If you’re a beginner ATV user, consider booking one of their guided tours to gain familiarity and comfort, and make sure to stay overnight in one of their fully equipped campsites and cabins.
Get in Gear
Camp, hike or mountain bike in beautiful Bella Vista, Arkansas at our favorite trail systems including those at Tanyard Creek and the Back 40. Ready to cool off? Surrounded by miles of mountain trails at nearby Blowing Springs Park is the Gear Garden – a brand new pop-up beer garden offering those that hike, bike or camp a chance to relax with a refreshing beverage amidst the peaceful forest scenery. The Gear Garden stands strong in a former shipping container outfitted with local taps from Bentonville Brewery. Cheers to a day well spent!
Mix & Mingle Downtown
‘Third Thursday’ is Joplin’s free community cultural event. Each third Thursday of the month, from March through October, people of all ages gather on Main Street from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to enjoy local artisans, live music, street performers, food and drinks under the setting sun. Since you’re just a short drive from downtown, don’t forget to swing by the gardens, boardwalks and pavilions of Mercy Park and enjoy the beauty of nature in an unexpected urban setting.
Hang Loose
Ready to join the outdoor hammocking (or ‘mocking) movement? All you need is a heart for adventure and a lightweight packable hammock, such as our favorite from Joplin’s own Gnar Hammocks. Simply pack some snacks, a book, and a map and head to your favorite local trail, such as the Walter Woods Conservation Area, the Frisco Greenway Trail, or Grand Falls—the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in the state! Find two sturdy trees to suspend your hammock on and get ready to unwind. When you’re rested and ready for more fun, pack up the hammock and stroll along in search of a local geocaching site.
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