Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area

"Busiek State Forest & Wildlife Area is such a peaceful and beautiful place to spend the day. The trails are well-marked with a good mix of easy walks and more challenging sections, and the scenery changes enough to keep things interesting the whole time. Lots of wooded areas, open fields, and great views. It’s a great spot for hiking and wildlife watching, I’ve seen deer and plenty of birds here. The park feels well cared for and never overly crowded, which makes it perfect if you’re looking to unplug and enjoy nature. Parking is easy, and while the facilities are simple, they’re clean and get the job done. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a quiet, scenic outdoor escape in Missouri. We walked a total of 6 miles on this hike, by far my favorite trail I’ve ever been to."

"Pretty much grew up here. It's my go-to in the Springfield area. I love Busiek!!"

"Can't believe this is right off the highway and it took me years to finally visit! I went early in the morning and didn't encounter anyone until I was almost back to the parking lot. Decided to trail run the red trail all the way down to the yellow/blue and back. Lovely views and my favorite were actually the river crossings, of which I encountered three. Bring your water shoes. All the trails were well marked and I thoroughly enjoyed myself."

"What a wonderful place to visit while in Springfield! I'm from Texas and currently visiting the area on business. My brother (who is local) recommended we spend Sunday hiking here. Trails are very clean, much cleaner than in Texas. I did manage to find one piece of trash, which I gladly picked up and placed in the can by the gun range. Parking was plentiful and the trails were well marked. 10/10 would consider moving to Springfield since this area is so close, I could definitely spend my weekends here."

"My husband recently met a member of the Busiek family who donated this property to the state. When he thanked her for her family's selfless gift she replied "take care of it. It's yours now." I can honestly say after hiking it today people are doing just that. The trails see a lot of local traffic but are virtually trash free. Tons of wildflowers and butterflies. Gorgeous cascading rocks and tiny waterfalls in smaller creek. Beautiful example of Ozarks woodlands and glades."