Willow Springs MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Willow Springs, Missouri.
1. Alley Spring & Mill
HISTORIC RED MILL
Alley Spring features a vibrant red mill constructed between 1893 and 1894 as a merchant mill, replacing an earlier structure built in 1868. The mill's flow of 81 million gallons per day once powered the roller mill for grinding wheat and corn, with the surrounding community bustling with activity including a blacksmith shop, general store, and baseball diamond. Today, visitors can explore the Alley Mill Museum (open Memorial Day through Labor Day) and enjoy nearby camping, fishing, and canoeing opportunities.
2. Greer Spring
NATURAL OZARK SPRING
Greer Spring is one of the largest springs in Missouri, adding over 220 million gallons of water per day to the Eleven Point River. The spring features a 1.2-mile hiking trail that leads visitors through beautiful Ozark forest to view the stunning blue-green waters of the spring branch. Visitors are drawn to its pristine natural setting and the remarkable clarity of the water that emerges from the underground aquifer.
3. Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch, LLC
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE PARK
Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch offers adventure seekers over 940 acres of off-road trails for ATVs, UTVs, and 4x4 vehicles. The ranch features varied terrain including mud pits, rock crawls, hill climbs, and wooded trails suitable for different skill levels. Visitors can camp on-site with both primitive and RV camping options available, making it a perfect weekend destination for off-road enthusiasts.
4. Mammoth Spring State Park
NATURAL WONDER BORDER
Mammoth Spring State Park showcases one of the world's largest springs, producing 9.78 million gallons of water hourly. The park features a restored 1886 Frisco train depot that now serves as a museum, along with the dam, hydroelectric plant, and picturesque walking trails. Located just over an hour from Willow Springs at the Arkansas-Missouri border, this natural attraction offers visitors insight into both natural and cultural history of the Ozarks.
5. Grand Gulf State Park
MISSOURI'S LITTLE GRAND CANYON
Grand Gulf State Park features a collapsed cave system often referred to as the "Little Grand Canyon of the Ozarks." The park showcases a 3/4-mile-long chasm with walls reaching 130 feet high, along with a 250-foot natural bridge that remains from the original cave roof. Visitors can explore the geological wonder via hiking trails and scenic overlooks that provide spectacular views of this unique karst feature.
6. Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum
LITTLE HOUSE AUTHOR'S HOME
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum preserves the farmhouse where the famous author wrote her beloved "Little House" books. Visitors can tour the well-preserved home with original furnishings and personal belongings of Laura and her husband Almanzo, seeing the very desk where she penned her classic stories. The museum showcases artifacts from the Wilder family, manuscripts, and exhibits about Laura's life and literary legacy in the Ozarks.
7. Hodgson Mill
HISTORIC OZARK GRISTMILL
Hodgson Mill stands as one of the most photographed mills in the Ozarks, featuring a classic red mill structure powered by a spring that flows from a cave beneath a bluff. Built in the 1860s, the mill became famous nationally for its brand of stone-ground flours and cornmeal products. Though no longer in commercial operation, the picturesque setting continues to attract visitors and photographers seeking to capture this iconic piece of Ozark heritage.
8. Dawt Mill
RESTORED MILL RESORT
Dawt Mill is a historic gristmill on the North Fork River that has been transformed into a complete resort destination. The restored mill complex now features dining options, lodging in historic buildings, and river-based recreation including kayaking, canoeing, and tubing. Visitors can enjoy the blend of history and outdoor adventure while experiencing one of the Ozarks' most iconic water-powered mill sites.
9. Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company
HERITAGE SEED FARM
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company offers visitors a unique experience at their 1930s-style pioneer village that serves as headquarters for their heirloom seed business. The site features numerous restored buildings, gardens showcasing rare plant varieties, a seed store, bakery, and restaurant serving foods grown on the property. Their annual Spring Planting Festival attracts thousands of gardening enthusiasts to this unique agricultural attraction that preserves and distributes heritage seed varieties from around the world.
10. Rockbridge Mill
SPRING-FED HISTORIC MILL
Rockbridge Mill is centered around one of the largest springs in Missouri, creating a picturesque natural setting that now serves as a trout fishing resort. The historic gristmill site has been transformed into a restaurant, lodge, and outdoor recreation area while maintaining its historic charm. Visitors can enjoy fly fishing in the spring-fed waters, dining with views of the spring, and exploring the beautiful Ozark setting that has attracted people for generations.
11. Falling Spring
HIDDEN OZARK WATERFALL
Falling Spring features a picturesque waterfall cascading over a rock ledge into a clear pool in the Mark Twain National Forest. The site includes the remains of an old mill and a historic log cabin that adds to its rustic charm. Visitors appreciate this hidden gem for its natural beauty, photographic opportunities, and relatively easy access via a short hiking trail.
12. Topaz Mill
HISTORIC OZARK WATERMILL
Topaz Mill stands as a well-preserved example of the water-powered mills that once dotted the Ozark landscape. The mill building retains much of its original equipment, showing visitors how grain was processed in the region's agricultural past. Though privately owned, the picturesque setting along Bryant Creek makes it a notable historic site and photography destination in the region.
13. Fun City
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Fun City offers family-friendly entertainment options for visitors to the Willow Springs area. The facility features activities such as bowling, arcade games, and other indoor amusements suitable for all ages. This entertainment venue provides a perfect rainy-day option or evening activity for families exploring the Ozarks region.
14. Glass Sword Theatre, Inc.
LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS
Glass Sword Theatre brings live performances and cultural events to the Ozarks region near Willow Springs. The theater hosts a variety of productions throughout the year, featuring local talent in plays, musicals, and other performing arts events. Visitors looking for evening entertainment can enjoy the creative performances while supporting the area's cultural scene.
15. City of Willow Springs Pool
COMMUNITY SWIMMING DESTINATION
The City of Willow Springs Pool provides a refreshing summer recreation option for local residents and visitors alike. The community swimming facility offers a clean, family-friendly environment with amenities for swimmers of all ages. During hot Ozark summers, the pool serves as a popular gathering place for cooling off and enjoying aquatic activities.