Leonard Springs Nature Park — Attraction in Bloomington

Our first time there and read that it was a 1 mi. Loop. Walked from the parking lot down the stone drive. Saw the cave on the left and what we thought was the return small path and stairs on the right. Kept going down to the restrooms and picnic pavilion and further down the gravel/clay road to the creek. At that point we'd gone 0.7 mi on Caynax Sports tracker and the entire loop was supposed to be only 1 mi. We obviously were not on the right path because we were at the bottom of at least 100' drop. Decided to turn back never seeing the waterfall or lake because there were NO TRAIL MARKERS at all and thought we must be on a maintenance road and lost. Disappointed that a city park was so poorly labeled. We did see a few Larkspur, Groundsel, and Butter weed in bloom and a few past bloom Bloodroot. If we were on the loop, it had to be more like 2 mi. We returned the way we came up the steep grade and never saw the waterfalls. Young woods with invasives. Max. Altitude 857 and I'm Min. Altitude 664'. 193'...

What a hidden gem! Leonard Springs Nature Preserve offers a beautiful escape into nature that feels wonderfully secluded and serene. The highlight for me was the stunning waterfall – it’s truly a sight to behold and makes the visit worthwhile on its own.The trail is a nice, easy 1-mile hike, making it accessible for hikers of all levels. Winding through the lush, secluded forest, it provides a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature. The path is well-maintained, and the surroundings are teeming with flora and fauna, adding to the overall charm of the preserve.This spot was just what I needed to recharge and disconnect from the hustle and bustle. It's a perfect place for a peaceful walk, a bit of photography, or just some quiet reflection. I highly recommend Leonard Springs Nature Preserve for all nature lovers. Whether you’re looking for a short hike, a scenic view, or simply a place to unwind, this preserve is...

This is a really nice park with some interesting geographical features. From the parking lot there appears to be a trail going downhill, be warned that it's not a designated trail and it gets steep quick and is really slippery if it's wet. The actual designated trails could be better marked because it gets a bit confusing at times with so many trails branching off but even then is fairly easy to navigate. The waterfall is pretty cool and the caves are interesting as well. There's a shelter house with plenty of picnic tables and some restrooms but the restrooms were closed when I went so be aware of that. The hiking is fairly easy but isn't a place for those with difficulty using stairs if you want to see the waterfall. The second waterfall is off the designated trail so be aware of that. There's some great wildflowers to see along the trail so that's always nice. Overall it's a great...