In this busy season of life, my ideal nature outings are the ones I can fit into a spare hour wedged between school and work obligations.
Bonus points if I don’t have to drive far to get there.
Extra bonus points if there’s a good treat stop nearby.
Enter Garrison Springs, a lush little pocket of nature just minutes from the downtown square in Ozark. Here, a nature trail winds past natural springs through a small “community forest.” It’s a lovely sight to behold at the end of this dry, hot September, as the ground rolls in soft, shaggy mounds of green, with resilient springwater bubbling between clumps of plants.
Plan a visit to both the trail and the nearby historic square — where you can grab festive butterbeer topped with caramel drizzle and whipped cream, and lean into fall vibes. More on that later!
Do Garrison Springs two ways: an easy, short walk, or a longer one
Looking for a short walk? If you’re visiting with babies or toddlers, this can be a brief, easy walk. Head to the parking lot right by the metal arched entrance (Google Maps location). Put the baby in a carrier because the path isn’t stroller-friendly, but the less-than-3/4-mile trail is short enough that a baby carrier is an easy option. Follow the path past the country home, and it will wind up a hill to a pretty lookout deck to view the final spring.
There are several dusty picnic tables along the path if you want to pack snacks and hang out.
Looking for a longer stroller walk? You can extend your walk by starting earlier on East Jackson Street, though this portion takes you onto a narrow road shared with vehicle traffic. If you set your GPS navigation to Garrison Springs, you’ll want to stop and park before the residential houses disappear (Google Maps location). Then continue east down Jackson Street until you reach the official trailhead.
The city is working on a trail connection that will eventually link Garrison Springs directly to the Finley River Park trail system. That will be such a nice improvement!
Treat stop: GW Coffee House is 4 minutes away
My 5-year-old son Leo and I thoroughly enjoyed our stop at this cozy coffee house on the historic square. Leo ordered a butterbeer (root beer with butterscotch, whipped cream and caramel on top), and I ordered a drip coffee and cinnamon roll. I’m still thinking about that coffee a few days later. It tasted like a rich, chocolatey brew that made me realize my Folgers at home isn’t cutting it.
I noticed the owners had a shelf loaded with kids toys and games, and the seats were comfortable enough to linger in. It could be a cozy spot to reset with a baby, sip coffee while your toddler tinkers, or play a game with older kids.
The shop is at 116 N. Third St.
All things considered, this entire outing took me about 1.5 hours and completely filled my cup this week. I hope you enjoy it, too!
Leave a Reply