There’s a little pocket of Lake Springfield where hikers, runners — and even careful moms with littles — can have a huge “summit” moment: a view that takes your breath away.
The cool thing is you don’t have to sweat up a mountain to get there.
I heard about this spot from a couple I met on the Trail of Honor, who offered several fantastic suggestions for me to take Leo on nature walks. “We’ve been on every trail in Springfield,” they laughed.
I trusted them implicitly, as locals always have better ideas than my internet research turns up.
Leo and I were not disappointed.
About the Audubon Trail at Lake Springfield
The Audubon Trail is a short, roughly half-mile loop that overlooks Lake Springfield (It connects to longer trails if you need more exercise!). The path starts off with stone steps, then turns into a dirt trail that skirts the edge of gorgeous bluffs. In early spring, with no leaves obstructing our view, the vista was lovely.
If you’re like me and didn’t encounter the name “Audubon” until your 30s, it comes from the name of a famous naturalist — John James Audubon — who was the inspiration for the modern-day Audubon Society. This nonprofit group studies birds and advocates for their conservation.
On the Audubon Trail, outdoors writer Sony Hocklander says you can see “white pelicans, Canada geese, ospreys and bald eagles” flying overhead or skimming the water below.
What makes the Audubon Trail worth visiting with kids?
At only a half-mile, this is the ideal trail length for preschoolers, in my opinion. There’s moderately steep hiking, but it’s very short-lived and helps kids understand the “payoff” of a summit-style hike. Before the trailhead entrance, there’s a perfect rock beach by Lake Springfield where you can see geese and ducks, or skip rocks. After the trail, you can pop in the car for a visit to the beautiful Hilltop Pavilion playground.
Safety concerns at Audubon Trail
This lovely hike does need a safety note attached for parents. The bluffs have a sheer drop-off and could be dangerous for littles if they’re not carefully tended to. Even with a very sure-footed 5-year-old, I was sweating and insisted on hand-holding when Leo wanted to stand on the bluff’s edge.
But for a responsible scrambler who loves to climb and have a great view? This was perfect.
Leo claimed this trail was the best we’d ever trekked.
Location and added trails
Navigate your GPS to the Lake Springfield Boathouse (Google Maps location). Park in the lot, then head east toward the water. You’ll see a sign marking the trailhead entrance.
For longer outings, the Audubon Trail connects to the Lake Springfield Park Trail, a 1.4-mile wood-chip path that connects to the James River Greenway Trail to make one loop.
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