Little Blue is our favorite little hidden gem in the summer time. Beautiful! Fun! Cold! Relaxing!…read moreWe love it!!!

*** Review is during COVID-19 ***…read more Came here earlier in the summer and it was so fun. This is a great spot!!! We wanted to find a swimming hole one day, which I now know can be very difficult to do! After driving around and around to several different spots for hours, where place after place turned out to be unsuccessful or just nonexistent, we were almost ready to give up. Then we remembered one more spot we could try... a swimming hole we'd been to when I was a little kid, with surprisingly clear blue water. We couldn't remember the name at first, but after some calls to my Grandma (always a great resource!) she helped us remember that it was Little Blue! Little Blue was still a bit hard to track down, but we eventually made it there, and had FINALLY found a spot worth staying around for! The water was as pretty as we remembered. In the shallower parts, it's crystal clear and you can see lots of pretty rocks on the bottom and sometimes little fishies too! The deepest part becomes a pretty blue color, and the water went up to at least between my elbows and shoulders (maybe more?). That deepest part isn't a huge area, so a little hard to stake your claim on it if you are trying to social distance, but overall there's plenty of space to spread out. It seemed to me like there were two areas: the area I just described, and then more river down to the left of that. This second area is much less populated, but I can see why, as it kind of quickly starts to get a pretty fishy smell as you go further and also has some animal bones (yeah...). Aside from the water, there's also lots of parking space, where many people had also set up camp (as in literally to camp in a tent for the night). We went on a Saturday (reminder that this was also in the "heat" of summer, no pun intended) so there were quite a few people. However, we were still able to stay a safe distance from others... we did have to be pretty mindful of it though, since others did not appear to be doing the same. I would give 5 stars if it (and other swimming holes in Oklahoma) had better information for people to find and clearer locations/directions!!! It's honestly pretty ridiculous. Also because that second swimming area down to the left could use a little work.

Natural Falls State Park is such a gem and absolutely worth the visit. The moment you step out of…read morethe parking lot, you're only a short, easy walk away from the breathtaking waterfall overlook. It's one of those views that hits you immediately, lush greenery, coolness in the air, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer. The park offers several amenities that make the visit comfortable and enjoyable. Clean restrooms, shaded picnic areas, a small playground, and well marked trails. Everything feels thoughtfully maintained, and the whole area has a calm, welcoming vibe. Once you've taken in the main waterfall, there are a few short hiking trails that branch off from the main path. They're easy and accessible for most people, with gentle terrain and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. Even though the trails are simple, you should still bring a bottle of water. I noticed a lot of people wandering off onto nearby trails without anything to drink. I was out on the trails for an hour, and even though the temps were in the 70's, I still was glad I brought water.

Very cool waterfall and some interesting trails. I was surprised you had to pay for parking at a…read morestate park.

Cute little non-profit garden. 100% volunteer run…read more Woman sitting in office was very friendly and informative - provided great history of the garden and information for local tourist spots :) Came here on a Wednesday afternoon and it was very peaceful. Great place to meditate and get grounded!

Love this place. Very peaceful and beautiful. Make sure to bring quarters to feed the fish.read more

We loved hiking Tanyard Creek while visiting Bella Vista! The trail was pretty easy, but there was…read morestill so much to see along the way. Between the waterfall, little streams, bridges and wooded scenery, it's a beautiful place to explore without needing a strenuous hike. I also loved that there were shallow areas of the creek where kids could splash and play. Such a fun outdoor stop for families or anyone wanting an easier hike with great views. Definitely a must-visit while you're in Bella Vista!

Beautiful trail and can't wait to come back. Restrooms were right near parking lot and there was an…read moreice cream truck which made for a sweet treat before walk. Lots of people out on trails.

*** Review is during COVID-19 ***…read more It was another summer day where we were looking for something fun to do outside, had heard about this swimming hole through the grapevine, and thought we'd check it out. As usual, it was a little confusing to get there (why are the locations of places like this SO HARD to find?!?!). I think at the very last turn, our directions said to go left when we were supposed to go right, or something like that. I think maybe it was trying to take us to the canoe rental, also called/ under the name Cowskin. Kind of an interesting spot because it's near/ under a highway (or some kind of road?) bridge. Not too many people, maybe one or two bigger groups of people and then a handful more of groups of 2 or 3 people. Some of the smaller groups were really only just passing by via canoes or rafts, anyway. The river definitely has space to spread out far past the "entrance" if you want to keep plenty of distance between you and others there. The water is decently clear, and seemed pretty clean. The deeper parts of course weren't as clear because there's more water between you and the ground, but even then you can still kind of see your feet touching the bottom. That deepest part went about to my waist. There may be deeper parts than this further down, but we didn't stray too far away from the "entrance". There's a nice current as well as areas that are more still, so it's great for adapting to different water activities, depending on if you want to float away (on a boat or just on your own) or just stay in place and kind of wade around. Some places also had a little island in the middle, creating two different streams but also a place where you could hang around out of the water, other than the entrance spot. The surrounding area, from what we saw, was pretty empty. I say this to say: if you think you might make a day of it/ need food at some point, maybe bring some of your own. I could be wrong, but I really don't remember seeing ANYWHERE where you could grab anything (food or otherwise) nearby.

The view was beautiful and it was very peaceful and serene. I enjoyed it. So did my family.read more

This is a great state park. It even has a little beach for the lake a wonderful place to take the…read morekids really wonderful kind of middle spot between Grove the north side of the lake, and Disney the south side of the lake a well kept park very clean.

This is a recently opened park in the city of Centerton, off of Main street. Centerton was in…read moredesperate need of a park, so this was an awesome development. The park has a fun playground with plenty of slides, swings, climbing toys, and so much more for kids to play on. It isn't really geared for toddlers. I let me toddler play on it, but I'm right there with her to make sure she doesn't fall or take a wrong step. Overall, it is a really fun park. They have a good variety of toys for kids to play on. I'm also a fan of the "see-saw", my friend and I played on it haha. So, kids and adults can have fun here! There is also a basketball court next to it. There are a few picnics tables too. Overall, it is a good park. I'm not a huge fan of the general area. I don't feel unsafe or anything being there, but still not a huge fan. Sometimes it also smells a little bit, I think it is something with the draining between the park and the parking lot. There is a small/medium sized parking lot right next to the playground. Overall, a fun park to bring your kids to!

Great park! Nice area for the kids to play and have fun. There are glider plane and see saw for the…read moreKids and lots of swings. And nice play grounds too! The slides are for little elderly kids but for kids 3 and above can easily fit in. The play ground is also nice and big enough to play soccer for fun. There's is also an area for basket ball lovers. Over all decent park for the centerton area

Cunningham Park is a vast oasis of everything a city park should be. Sporting fields, trails, lots…read moreof playgrounds with nice equipment, water features, picnic and gathering facilities and a world class memorial garden. The Memorial garden is what caused me to visit and pay respect to those 161 Joplin residents that lost their lives to one of the worst tornadoes in American history. The garden consists of natural rock, sculptures, fountains, informational signage and a vast array of beautiful plants and flowers that are well maintained. The park was in the direct path of the tornado and offers great vantage points to see what was, what remains and what was rebuilt in the vicinity. My visit was during a slight rain shower with approaching storm clouds; which only added to the somber and reflective visit. A must see for anyone traveling in the vicinity of Joplin.

This was a nice break with a playground (three stories!) and walking paths as we explored Joplin…read more Cunningham Park was originally known as Cunningham Grove and was donated to the city by Thomas W. Cunningham, who was the mayor of Joplin at the time. Cunningham was a significant figure in Joplin's development, contributing to various sectors such as banking, mining, and philanthropy. In 1897, Cunningham donated eight acres of land to the city for use as a public park. The deed was officially dated on July 5, 1898, and the park was dedicated in the early 1900s1. Cunningham Park became the first park in the Joplin Parks System. Over the years, the park has seen many enhancements, including the addition of a fountain, playgrounds, a swimming pool, and picnic areas. The park was also a central location for community gatherings and celebrations1. Unfortunately, the park was destroyed by an EF-5 tornado in 2011, but the community came together to rebuild it. Today, Cunningham Park stands as a symbol of resilience and community spirit. We were here to walk around the park and to see The Miracle of The Human Spirit monument. [Review 2323 of 2024 - 392 in Missouri - 23337 overall]

Best park around. Trails of different difficulty levels, and some really nice scenery! We enjoyed…read moredoing Pigeon Roost Trail down to the overlook and then dipping in the water. You can tell there has been a lot of effort to maintain this beautiful place. Make sure to stop at the visitor center. It's so nicely laid out and interactive. Jeff was very helpful with recommendations!

Wonderful collection of wildlife (birds, animals) and engaging stuffed animals. Nice display of…read morewhat creatures are found in a cave. Great for young children. The roughly 1 mile hike on a paved surface is great for families. The help are very available and knowledgeable.

We've stayed here a few times & have enjoyed each time. They have a 10% veterans discount, which…read moreis always nice. We have a 37' RV so sometimes it's hard to find an RV park with spaces large enough. They have plenty of large, flat spaces, and it's always been very clean. The pool is cleaned daily & they keep beautiful potted plants by the pool as well. The outside restrooms/showers have been updated and are beautiful and clean, too.

For a place that makes its living from tourism and from people paying to come here for a break from…read morethe real world, the atmosphere and customer service are incredibly disappointing. People come here to relax, enjoy themselves, and get away from negativity--not to be treated like an inconvenience or made to feel unwelcome. Unfortunately, the negativity seems to extend beyond the occasional bad interaction. The attitude, lack of communication, and unfriendly treatment from the front desk workers, to the people running on golf carts, and so called "volunteers" create an environment that is completely toxic. If you are going to operate a business that depends on tourists, campers, and visitors spending their hard-earned money on your property, you need to understand that those people deserve to be treated with basic courtesy and respect. Tourist are paying customers. They are contributing to your community by spending money at local stores, restaurants, and other places drawing revenue for the community you call home. They should not be treated like dirt simply because they are outsiders or visitors. And if the people working or volunteering here are unhappy with the lifestyle, the crowds, or the very nature of a property that attracts visitors, that frustration should not be taken out on the people who are paying to be here. You cannot build a tourism-based business and then resent the tourists. There is a certain irony in paying money to escape the negativity of everyday life, only to arrive somewhere that seems to create and reinforce that same negative energy. This place has been a solid choice for getting away from everyday life in the past, which makes the change in atmosphere even more disappointing. But if management wants people to continue choosing this property, I strongly suggest reconsidering the approach to customer service, communication, and how visitors are treated. People aren't asking for special treatment. We're asking for basic respect, courtesy, and a welcoming environment. That's not too much to expect from a business built around hospitality. Eagles Landing lost a lot of business today. holiday weekend ...it's packed and their service is crap!!