Spring has sprung!
After three months of winter, it seems like spring will never come – but it’s well worth the wait. It’s the best time to explore Missouri’s outdoors – especially in forests, where wildflowers flourish.
With the bluebird sky you’ve waited for all winter, Missouri’s state tree – the dogwood – in glorious bloom, and redbuds splashing color all over the woods, it’s tempting to spend your hike looking up. But, oh, the beauty you’ll miss!
Native Missouri Wildflowers
The earliest blossoms are called ephemerals – something that lasts for a very short time. Look closely to find them nestling near the woodland floor. Many early spring wildflowers are delicate shades of white: dogtooth violets, Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, white trillium and violets (which have white and blue varieties). There are also blues and purples: spiderwort, wild sweet William and Jacob’s ladders. Pinkish wild geraniums are an exciting find.
Missouri conservation areas and state parks are some of the best places to see wildflowers. Conservation areas offer mostly untouched natural areas while state parks offer amenities like staff-lead programs about wildflowers.
If you don’t know where to begin your spring wildflower walk, we have you covered. We asked experts with the Missouri Department of Conservation for their recommendations.
Where to Find Wildflowers
For ephemeral spring flowers, go browsing late March through May in these locations:
Central Missouri
Explore the forests of Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area near Rucker, at the junction of Boone, Howard and Randolph counties.
Check out the forested ravines at Spring Creek Gap Conservation Area near Vichy in Maries County.
Visit Burnt Mill Cave Conservation Area near Climax Springs in Camden County for spring ephemerals in the woods.
Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area in Benton and Morgan counties features an Ozark-forest habitat perfect for spring wildflowers.
Located in Lebanon, Bennett Spring State Park is a wonderful place to see wildflowers. The park often hosts free wildflower programs to visitors.
Northeast Missouri
Julian Steyermark Woods Conservation Area in Hannibal is rich with wildflowers and ferns.
Engelmann Woods Natural Area in Franklin County is great for celandine poppies, trillium, bellwort, blue and yellow violets in April and early May.
Busch Conservation Area Fallen Oak Trail in St. Charles County features impressive stands of Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot and trout lily in April.
Explore the woodlands at Union Ridge Conservation Area near Kirksville at the junction of Adair, Putnam and Sullivan counties.
Dr. Edmund A. Babler State Park is located less than an hour west of St. Louis. The park is a natural oasis with mature forests brimming with opportunities to see wildflowers. Stop by the welcome center to inquire about a species checklist.
Northwest Missouri
For the Kansas City metro area, Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs provides forest and woodland trails showcasing some of the earliest spring wildflowers and emerging ferns.
Bluffwoods Conservation Area near St. Joseph offers woodlands filled with early-spring flowers like May apples and later-spring orchids.
Crowder State Park located just over an hour and a half from Kansas City is a prime location for wildflowers. Its rich river bottomlands are accented by stands of cottonwood, river birch, silver maple and sycamore trees that shade a valley floor where the rare ostrich fern grows in company with carpets of swamp buttercups, touch-me-nots, sweet williams and Dutchman’s breeches. On well-shaded sandstone ledges, carved by the Thompson River, lady slipper orchids and maidenhair ferns cling to a delicate existence.
Southeast Missouri
Enjoy flowering dogwoods, redbuds and woodland wildflowers in spring at Millstream Gardens in Madison County between Arcadia and Fredericktown.
The forests of Amidon Memorial Conservation Area in Bollinger and Madison counties are a great place to look for spring wildflowers.
Twin Pines Conservation Education Center near Winona and the Cape Girardeau Nature Center have pristine native wildflower gardens and offer native plant programs during spring and summer.
Also, check out the Mark Twain National Forest, any nearby Missouri state parks, along the banks of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and anywhere off the beaten path in your local parks.
Located in Bonne Terre, St. Francois State Park might be one of the most popular state parks for viewing bluebells. Many rare northern plants continue to thrive in moist, sheltered conditions of the park’s fens. Several trails, one of which allows equestrians, wind through wild and scenic areas of the park. A park naturalist offers nature walks, slide shows, audio/video presentations and demonstrations, many of which are held in the park’s outdoor amphitheater, to inform visitors on a variety of nature topics.
Lace up your boots. It’s time to go for a spring walk in the woods … and enjoy Mother Nature’s show.
For more information on Missouri wildflower identification visit, the Missouri Department of Conservation‘s Field Guide.