These are some of the gardens and parks in other cities across Missouri that I’ve visited and photographed. I’ll continue adding new places as I explore more of this beautiful state. For photos and details about gardens and natural areas in other states, visit my Travel page.

Gardens & Conservatories

Missouri is home to a variety of beautiful gardens and conservatories. From the serene Shelter Gardens in Columbia to the expansive Powell Gardens in Kingsville, these locations showcase the state’s horticultural beauty. The Springfield Botanical Gardens offer a mix of formal gardens and natural landscapes, providing a peaceful escape for plant enthusiasts. Beyond these, there are many more lovely gardens across the state waiting to be explored, each offering its own unique charm.

Butterfly Palace
4106 W 76 Country Blvd.
79 acres
1,000 exotic butterflies

Hoge Greenhouses
(College of the Ozarks)
Clint McDade Orchid Collection
7,000 plants

Chance Gardens
319 E Sneed St.
Oriental garden, waterfall, rose garden, and more

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial at Battle Garden
800 W Stadium Blvd.
4.5 acres

Mizzou Botanic Garden
University Ave.
University of Missouri campus
specialty gardens, tree trails

Shelter Gardens
1817 W Broadway
5 acres
300 varieties of trees and shrubs

Carnahan Memorial Garden
101 Jefferson St.
gardens, sunken pool, terraces, walkways, pergola

Ewing & Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden
4800 Rockhill Rd.
flower gardens, fountains

Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden
51st St & Wornall Rd.
1.5 acres

Powell Gardens
1609 NW US Hwy. 50
175 acres
specialty gardens, waterfalls

The Gardens at Woodfield
441 Truman Blvd.
6 acres
gardens, 1/2-mile walking trail

MODOT Highway Gardens
2200 S Limit Ave.
(Missouri State Fairgrounds)
gardens, waterfall

Dominion Gardens & Arboretum
1622 E Walnut St.
gardens, fountain, arboretum

Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
2400 S Scenic Ave.
7.5 acres
walking paths, lake, waterfalls

Springfield Botanical Gardens
2400 S Scenic Ave.
gardens, native butterfly house, lake
gardens map

Waterwise Garden
1513 S National Ave.
(Phelps Grove Park)
demonstration garden

Parks & Natural Areas

Missouri’s diverse landscape offers plenty of natural beauty to discover. Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton is known for its castle ruins and scenic views, while the Prairie Garden Trust in New Bloomfield features restored prairies and woodland trails. Maramec Spring Park in St. James is a favorite for its picturesque spring and waterfalls, and the rugged beauty of Pickle Springs Natural Area in St. Genevieve offers unique geological features and hiking trails. These interesting places make it worthwhile to explore Missouri, with even more natural destinations waiting to be discovered across the state.

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
37599 County Rd 206
3,750 acres
trails, ponds

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area
412 Owen Ln.
140 acres
5.3 miles of trails

Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
113 Bollinger Mill Rd.
mill, covered bridge, waterfall
site map

Ha Ha Tonka State Park
1491 State Rd D
3,751.74 acres
spring, natural bridge, trails

Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary
3607 Bray Ave.
28 acres
trails

Bonnie View Nature Sanctuary
3300 W Rollins Rd.
93 acres
paved trails

Forum Nature Area
2701 Forum Blvd.
105 acres
1.8-mile limestone trail

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
5901 S Highway 163
natural bridge, caves, hiking trails
park map

Stephens Lake Park
2001 E Broadway
116 acres
11-acre lake, waterfalls, walking paths

Conservation Commission Headquarters
2901 W Truman Blvd.
153.7 acres
hiking trails, ponds

Runge Nature Center
330 Commerce Dr.
97 acres
trails, ponds

Grand Falls
5685 Riverside Dr.
natural waterfall, walking trails

Henry Lay Sculpture Park
17533 State Hwy UU
350 acres
walking trails, lakes, waterfall

Hidden Waters Nature Park
716 W Hubble Dr.
11.3 acres
trails, springs, ponds, waterfalls

Prairie Garden Trust
8945 County Road 431
240 acres
trails, ponds, creek, scenic overlooks

Audubon Trails Nature Center
550 Meriweather Ct.
70 acres
trails

Little Prairie Conservation Area
Route RA
342.4 acres
hiking trails, 97-acre Towell Lake

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site
19349 Bothwell State Park Rd.
246.91 acres
3-mile trail

Schaible Lake Park
3800 S National Ave.
lake, bridge, walking path

Sequiota Park
3500 S Lone Pine Ave.
paved trails, lake, waterfalls

Springfield Conservation Nature Center
4601 S Nature Center Way
78.8 acres
trails, lake

Valley Water Mill Park
2450 E Valley Water Mill Rd.
70 acres
trails, lake, waterfall, stream

Maramec Spring Park
21880 Maramec Spring Dr.
200 acres
spring, waterfalls, stream, trails

Pickle Springs Natural Area
Dorlac Rd.
256.5 acres
trails, rock formations, waterfalls