The short Springfield trail with a beautiful river view

Warm spring days make me want to be near water. But living in central Springfield, that’s surprisingly hard — especially when you only have an hour and a 5-year-old in tow.

After a failed visit to a trashed river spot at Joe Crighton, I quickly searched for a trail near water and came across a lovely stretch of land perfect for stroller walks and picnics: the Trail of Honor.

This tranquil location is perfect for families with little ones. The out-and-back trail is short, fully paved, and has some memorable sites along the way, including an old railway bridge.

I send a “things to do” email every Sunday night to tons of moms in the Springfield, Mo. area. It’s full of free, often outdoorsy ideas that always match the season we’re in.

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Why this little Springfield trail is worth a visit

An old railway bridge stretches across the James River as a kayaker passes underneath. — *An iron railway bridge is one of the sites along the Trail of Honor. (Photo by Brittany Meiling)*

This one-mile section of the James River Greenway is clean and freshly paved, bending around some gentle slopes and bordering the James River.

The trail passes by water where kayaks and canoes are often seen floating by, along with rolling open land with hay bales, and tree-canopied sections later on. It’s also the site of the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, marked by massive rock markers.

A paved trail winds through trees and a gentle rolling landscape. — *The Trail of Honor is a one-mile segment of the James River Greenway. (Photo by Brittany Meiling)*

How to make the most of a visit to the Trail of Honor

This is a short trail, so plan to stay a while in the grassy lawn areas before or after your walk. With plenty of open field space, it’s a good spot to bring kites on windy days. Or pack a couple of baseball gloves and play catch.

I found one spot perfect for a picnic on the right side of the trail heading west of the trailhead parking lot. It has mostly flat ground by the water’s edge, and it’s surrounded by trees that would give it shade on a warm sunny day.

Flat land along the water's edge is surrounded by tall trees. — *This flat spot along the James River is ideal for a picnic. (Photo by Brittany Meiling)*

Interesting future plans for the Trail of Honor

There’s a plan in the works to connect this small section of the James River Greenway to two other segments surrounding Lake Springfield. Eventually, the trail will unite with the Chadwick Flyer trail connecting Springfield, Mo. to Ozark, Mo.! Read more about it on the Ozark Greenways website.

How to get there

Location: Head to the parking lot for the Trail of Honor trailhead at the Missouri Fallen Soldiers Memorial Bridge, Springfield, MO 65804. Google Maps location.