Big nest is a bonus! Nice bridge and walkways/paths. Warsaw MO - go hit the dam as well.read more

An architectural relic and scenic walkway over the Osage River; the Joe Dice Swinging Bridge is a…read morecool little pit-stop when visiting the Truman Lake area. Originally a vehicle toll bridge, it has been converted into a pedestrian walkway connecting downtown Warsaw to a park on the opposite side. Adjacent to 7 hi-way, it is easy to find.

We had such a great time at Stark Caverns! Brielly was a great tour guide and made the whole…read moreexperience fun and educational. The caves were beautiful and we got some really great pictures. We learned a lot throughout the tour and it was a great experience for the whole family. We especially loved the complete darkness experience and the black light portion of the tour. Those were definitely some of our favorite parts. Overall, it was a really fun tour and we are so glad we went. I would definitely recommend Stark Caverns for families!

Genuinely cool cave. There are algae fossils in there from when Missouri was underwater millions of…read moreyears ago, which is a wild thing to stand next to. Sadly our guide Macy was less "passionate cave enthusiast" and more "reciting a script she's said a thousand times and stopped listening to herself." I still don't know how this part of Missouri used to be an ocean based on the tour. She gave the exact same intro four separate times. Not because groups were bumping into each other, just straight up robot mode, probably from also trying to work in the photo package pitch every single time. Ask a follow up question and you'd get a shrug dressed up as an answer. A kid asked about a mineral and got a confident "nope, not that" immediately followed by "I'm not really a gem expert," which, ma'am, pick one. Nobody could tell us where all the clay that used to be in the cave went (there's a lot of water now after the excavation), how the bootleggers pulled off their operation, or whether the cave's ever taken earthquake damage. Also they sell alcohol at the gift shop right before you head into a dark cave, which feels like a liability seminar waiting to happen. What indigenous tribe did the skeleton remains belong to? How did you know it was an indigenous person(s)? What is the difference between an arrowhead and a spear, and when did those relics be given to be on display? She said the stairs were built by child labor because there are child sized handprints in the concrete, but provided no evidence of truth or why. Was it his 18 kids? No one knows. At least it was cool inside while the weather was hot outside. The cave has a story to tell. Macy just wasn't the one telling it. Would recommend the cave, would not recommend Macy. She already told us she's had a bad Yelp review, and I'm sad to say I understand why.

Great little park. Several play areas available for a variety of age levels. Swings, sandbox,…read moremultiple playgrounds and slides. Bathrooms available during open season. Shelter with picnic tables.

It's a fun park! They had a huge playground area. We'd went right after rain with a 4 and 2 year…read moreold, but will definitely be back after they grow. My kiddos played on the smaller playground for almost 3 hours before we had to leave. We also had a picnic at one of the shelters. It was well kept and felt safe.

We have been going here the last 3 years. The people are always nice and helpful. The place is…read moreclean. We stayed in the motel this time vs RV and they were nice. AC was great and kept us cool. It's nice to relax here and spend time with friends/family. Park is beautiful and very peaceful. The booking and checking in/out were very easy and fast. We will be back next year. Already reserving for 2027. Give this place a try.

Wow it has been a decade since I went back to Bennett spring state park. This place looks the same…read moreoverall, which is good. Who doesn't want fresh air and a break from the hustle and bustle of the major city. This place has great fishing. You can see plenty of people trout fishing and all the trouts swimming in the clear water. Nature at its finest. If you are ever near Lebanon Mo, I definitely recommend to visit this great place if you are a nature lover.

As a family of 6 we like to get active a play outside as much as possible, Hubbard park is…read moredefinitely one of Sedalia's hidden gems. The multiple play structures keep all our kiddos busy despite their wide age range. The zip line is very popular and even fun for brave adults willing to try. There are several pavilions available so bring the family for any occasion; basketball, soccer and disk golf also on site. Over all GREAT PLACE to catch so fresh air and let the kiddos blow off some steam!!

A natural mineral spring park hidden along S C Hwy. Now known as Fair Haven Spring or Fairhaven…read moreSprings, but was also formerly known as Connelly Spring. Historically, this was once a Mineral Spring Spa location with hotel accommodation and baths that took advantage of the springs in the early 1900s when Mineral Springs gained popularity as resort destinations. Now it is a small Community park, maintained just lightly enough that you can walk through it and still partake of the natural mineral springs that have been carved out with bathing steps. A little piece of history to be found in what feels like the middle of nowhere. Bring your own cup to try the mineral springs, or just cup your hands for a sip and face splash.

What a beautiful park! We loved watch the wildlife and exploring the spring trail and castle ruins!read more

Went kayaking for the first time and had a great time. Staff we rented from was very helpful and…read morekind and gave great support and pointers

We had a great time and it was a great way to get out of the heat. We chose this last minute and…read moremade it for the 11am tour on a Friday and the two of us went along with 4 others. The group after us was about 20 people. Colton was our tour guide who told great stories and answered all our questions.

I'm a nerd for caves. Recently, I've been trying to take my kiddos to ones I've visited in the…read morepast. Bridal Caves doesn't disappoint for its size and beauty. Easy guided walk through with plenty to see. Always a welcome cool temperature for those muggy summer days. Stop in the store afterwards to purchase your photo souvenir and receive a bag of fish food to give to the giant carp off the dock below. Fun stop.

Nice and peaceful, just wondering if the mercury level is good to fish for?…read moreThere are lots of places to jog from. and plenty of shade and great people.

Beautiful walking trails. Many different routes to take. Definitely for beginners. Lake are…read moreextremely peaceful. Nice place for a picnic!

Let me burst the bubble early. There are no monkeys, and while I may not be a professional…read moregeographer or cartographer, but I highly suspect anything here qualifies as a mountain. Yes, it IS a highly misleading name. But don't let that stop you from enjoying a fun day. I've been here a couple of times, and I really dig it. It's not too far out of a drive from the city, but it feels like full on nature! There are plenty of trails on which to hike, and I've seen quite a few people riding horses. This is, in fact, where I learned that horses scare the hell out of my dog. Anyhow, by my count that means this place is good for at least three species: people, dogs, and horses. Not too shabby, if you ask me. There are quite a few different terrains, my personal favorite being the hay meadow. We like to take blankets and pack a bit of a picnic. It's great for kite flying, frisbee or a rousing game of catch! One warning: this place is a bug haven. Check yourself and your animals for ticks. But a little blood sucking parasite is a small price to pay for a nice day out in mother nature!

This area was called "Monkey Mountains," because early settlers deemed the river bluffs too steep…read morefor even monkeys to climb. This place is as close to being out in the wild as you can get in the KC area. A little bit of a drive but worth it if you want a rugged terrain. It's perfect. Reaching the open meadow at the top is wonderful. Use bug spray and check for ticks.