DEAR SPRINGFIELD MAMA

On an 18-degree day in the dead of winter, no one wants to go on a hike.

But having young children — and especially boys with unholy amounts of ninja energy — will force some parents outdoors no matter the conditions.

Imagine our surprise when Lost Hill Park turned out to be an adventure that got my whole family laughing, gasping, and exploring on a gray January morning. This park makes you feel like you’re in the wilds, with nature sounds engulfing you, and paths that usher you past sites worthy of stepping off-trail.

In winter, it shone. If you’ve been to Lost Hill before in the summer or fall, try it again this time of year. The bare trees reveal gorgeous bluffs and caves otherwise hidden in the foliage.

To be clear, our faces were burning with cold at the beginning. My husband was grumbling. My child was whining. But I had forced everyone to wear their warmest winter layers, and we were toasty and happy in no time.

Lost Hill Park is way up in north Springfield, past the Dickerson Park Zoo and down country roads that made me feel certain we are almost out of city limits. The public land was once a family farm that was purchased by the City of Springfield in 2004, and turned into a lovely bit of wilderness in 2010 with smooth, paved trails weaving throughout. It’s perfect for stroller walks that feel peaceful rather than urban.

The trails wind past caves, arches, prairies, and woodlands. There are bridges and old grain silos and vines hanging from the trees.

The paths also run past a section of the South Sac River, and in wetter months, there are plenty of splashing spots and a couple of deeper sections for swimming. On our visit, the riverbed was dry, except for a few spots of frozen puddles. This makes an excellent time to hunt for fossils.

Pack some hot chocolate in a thermos, and make a game out of searching for the very secretive “Cozy Cave Club,” which is almost impossible to see when summer trees block its entrance. This large cave hideout sports a chimney, windows and entrance with a placard carved into the stone. It was reportedly a hangout spot for a band of high school-age brothers of the Owens family some 70-75 years ago. I do not share pictures of that, as the hunt is part of the fun.

Location

Lost Hill Park: 4705 N Farm Rd 151, Springfield, MO 65803

Park in the paved lot. There are porta-potty bathrooms right by the parking lot. Head south down the trail, and you can pretty immediately veer off on a dirt path on your right to head straight to the riverbed if your goal is fossil hunting. We like to walk the riverbed for a while, then step back onto the trail heading west.

More photos of Lost Hill Park

More kid-friendly winter excursions