Walter Woods Conservation Area

Just south of Joplin, there’s a place with towering oak and hickory trees, tranquil ponds and a bubbling, freshwater spring.

This is the Walter Woods Conservation Area.

This 68-acre conservation area has become a favorite of ours over the years. When we go hiking as a family, we alternate between Walter Woods, Wildcat Park and George Washington Carver National Monument, and we like each area for different reasons.

The things that we like most about Walter Woods are the paved trails, the bridges, the different water features and wildlife, and the thick forest. Plus, we can bring our golden retriever with us because dogs are welcome, too.

We always park our car in the lot that is near the entrance, as it’s right by the start of the hiking trails.

Whenever we walk on these shaded trails, it feels like we’re miles from civilization, and time instantly slows down.

On our most recent hike there, we saw a variety of wildflowers and berries along the path, as well as lots of cute little frogs (which my kids never could seem to catch).

On the east end of the trail is a peaceful pond that is surrounded by trees and vines.

To the south is a bridge that crosses a small, bubbling spring. We spent several minutes standing on it and watching fish swim in the clear water. We even spotted a turtle.

Heading west on the trail, there’s a large grassy area with picnic tables. Because there’s plenty of shade, it makes a great spot for a picnic.

The stone lodge is just past the picnic area. This lodge, the ponds, and the stone fences were built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. At that time, this area was owned by Otto Walter, who had purchased it for Joplin’s Izaak Walton League (a conservation organization).

The Izaak Walton League operated a hatchery here and released over one million fish into area streams. In 1985, the league donated the land to the Department of Conservation.

The stone lodge at Walter Woods houses the education center for the Department of Conservation, and there are a variety of programs offered, including many fishing events. Click here to see a listing of upcoming events.

From the lodge, there’s a trail that leads to the west pond. The pond may have appeared tranquil, but there certainly was a lot of activity under the surface.

We saw lots of fish, a snake,

and the Loch Ness Monster.

Okay, it was just a carp but it looked menacing.

On previous visits to Walter Woods, we’ve gone geocaching, which is like going on an outdoor scavenger hunt with the help of a GPS device (click here to read more about geocaching). Here’s our youngest daughter right after discovering the geocache box.

With its smooth, paved trails, Walter Woods Conservation Area offers visitors of all ages and fitness levels the chance to enjoy nature.

Walter Woods Conservation Area is located at 5265 Eland Road in Joplin. Click here to visit its website.

WANT MORE?

Looking for more outdoor spaces in the Joplin area? Click here to find them.

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This article was commissioned by the Joplin CVB, however the opinions expressed are purely my own. The purpose of Joplin MO Life is to highlight all the best that our area has to offer, and when an article is written about a restaurant, business, attraction, or event, it is because I have had an enjoyable experience and want to share it with others.

Click here to visit the Joplin CVB’s Facebook page.

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Living Life to The Fullest!

I love seeking out new experiences and finding places off the beaten path. I started Joplin MO Life in August 2013 as a way to share my discoveries with others in the Joplin community so that they can learn about the resources that exist right in their own backyards.

I have worked in education and event planning, and have always loved to write. I hold a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University.