9 Amazing Places to Take in Fall Foliage in Missouri

Missouri is near its peak for fall color this season. The best area to look for fall foliage in Missouri is the southwestern portion containing cities like Joplin, Springfield, and Branson. State parks are abundant within the state and amazing options for experiencing fall color. Yellows, oranges, reds, purples, and browns are visible on a variety of trees native to Missouri, including hickories, elms, dogwoods, oaks, and sassafras. The recommended way to see foliage in Missouri is either to visit an overlook or to take a drive through Missouri’s various landscapes. Participating in these activities ensures the visitor a panoramic view of the unique colors and diverse trees they might encounter. However, talking a leisurely hike or walk through the scenery is a fantastic approach for observing color up close. Unfortunately, hard freezes are threatening Southwest Missouri, meaning that fall color might disappear sooner than expected. In this case, seeing fall color at its peak means checking out Missouri foliage soon this season!

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area is an exemplary spot for hiking or walking through Missouri fall foliage. Approximately 18 miles outside of Springfield, Missouri, this 740-acre area has around 18 miles of trails for visitors to enjoy. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding is permitted on the trails, and hunting is allowed according to the season. Wanting to stay and enjoy the fall color a little longer? On-site camping is available to those with a permit.

Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area

With 5.6 miles of walking and hiking trails nestled within 1,534 acres of beautiful landscape, Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area brings out the best of fall scenery. The area is located west of Branson, Missouri and has plenty to offer its visitors. Not only does it contain a variety of landscapes, but Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area is steeped rich with history, too. Portions of the trails date so far back that no one can estimate how old they are! Areas within Homesteaders Trail include stops with historical information and facts about the surrounding environment. While horseback riding and biking are prohibited, other opportunities for savoring fall foliage exist. For instance, there is an overlook and lookout tower that allow visitors to survey fall color from all angles. At the trailhead, it might be beneficial to pick up a brochure that indicates the best stops to make along the way.

Bennett Spring State Park

Bennett Spring State Park lies northeast of Springfield, Missouri and is perfect for viewing fall color at its peak. The park has various hiking trails such as the Oak-Hickory Trail. Complete with several different types of oak and hickory trees, this hike is ideal for a quick glimpse of fall color. The Oak-Hickory Trail is only 0.3 miles long, so families with small children, elderly adults, or rambunctious pets can walk this trail together with ease. Looking for a longer, more difficult hike? The Natural Tunnel Trail is 7.4 miles long and includes diverse fall color and wildlife. A hiker will also notice streams and farmland and may be able to explore some small caves along the way. Hiking isn’t the only way to appreciate the fall foliage, though. Campsites and cabins are available throughout Bennett Spring State Park, and fishing is a popular activity there, too!

Big Sugar Creek State Park

While fall foliage is diverse and abundant throughout southwest Missouri, Big Sugar Creek State Park provides an even more exclusive look into fall color. The park has rare trees that are typically no longer encountered throughout the rest of the state. Only one notable trail exists within the park, but the journey is worth it to see the rarities that Big Sugar Creek State Park has to offer! Ozark Chinquapin Trail stretches 3.3 miles, but connectors are available within if hikers desire to change their course. Visitors will see plenty of plants and animals native to this area, including the Ozark chinquapin tree and the scarlet tanager.

Historic Route 66

If there’s no time to travel to a state park or take a hike, a scenic fall drive is an incredible option for seeing autumn hues. Historic Route 66 snakes from Joplin to St. Louis for 293 miles with a plethora of fascinating stops along the way. A detour to Overlook Pavilion within Meramec State Park is a must. Grab some snacks and drinks, relax at an on-site picnic table, and breathe in a sensational panoramic view of the fall color. If height at the overlook isn’t for you, take a trip underground to the Meramec Caverns. Exploring the caverns within Meramec off Historic Route 66 will supply an unconventional break from the flavors of fall.

Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway

Say that five times fast! Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway is not only a mouthful but full of fall color, too. Driving along Blue Buck Knob, a traveler will be so captivated by the breathtaking autumn pigments that they might need to take a rest at some stops along the way. Noblett Lake Recreation Area is an excellent place for a quick break or a prolonged look at the historic Noblett Lake Dam. Legs needing a stretch from the car ride? Take a hike at the Cedar Gap Conservation Area between Springfield and Blue Buck Knob.

Roaring River State Park

Roaring River State Park is extremely popular within Missouri and has numerous opportunities for appreciating the picturesque pigments of fall. Camping sites and cabins are dispersed throughout the park, and seven hiking trails highlight the beauty of autumn. The 4.4-mile Fire Tower Trail offers both gorgeous fall colors and a look at wildflowers, streams, and coves. With a wide variety of natural elements, it’s no surprise that this trail attracts photographers and bird watchers alike.

Bryant Creek State Park

Bryant Creek State Park is brand new to the southwest Missouri region. The park contains massive oak trees, which show off fall color exquisitely. To see these oak trees up close, two trails are available to hikers, complete with picnic tables for snacking, resting, or taking in the surroundings. Although remote, Bryant Creek State Park takes up 2,900 acres, meaning the plants, animals, and foliage that a visitor will encounter are practically limitless.

Stockton State Park

Stockton State Park, located northwest of Springfield, Missouri, has campsites and cabins available to enjoy fall foliage at its peak. Other activities like kayaking, water skiing, and scuba diving take place at Stockton State Park, too, so a camper will never become bored with the wide-ranging opportunities available. Oak and hickory trees with stunning fall color are located within Lakeview Trail. The trail is 7.9 miles long, and both hiking and biking along it are permitted. While autumn hues blanket the path, a view of Stockton Lake can also be seen on the hike. In this way, the trail works to combine a range of landscapes in one scenic journey. Nyblad Trail is a quicker, half-mile hike, but glimpses of foliage along this route are just as notable. With elms, oaks, and hickories, Nyblad Trail will be diverse in fall color at its peak. The trail also enables a hiker to see wildlife like white-tailed deer or turkey. Nyblad Trail runs alongside Stockton Lake, where a hiker might encounter species of fish or kayakers, soaking up the last remains of a fading summer sun.

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