Cape Woods Conservation Area — Attraction in Cape Girardeau

Cape Woods is a wonderful natural oasis in the middle of town. It's accessed from the east side of Mt. Auburn Road next to the car wash, a little south of the intersection with Kingshighway, where there is a parking lot and restrooms. There's also a walk-in entrance off Hopper Road between Clippard School and Mt. Auburn Road.

Cape Woods always has a wide variety of people enjoying the area: walkers, dog walkers, joggers, cyclists, and families. The asphalt path which bisects the woods is level and in good condition, making the woods an attractive exercise choice for seniors and the disabled; more athletic visitors can add distance and intensity.

It also offers a respite from concrete. Cape Woods is much cooler in summer. Cardinals and robins have regular conventions, and I have seen several woodpeckers. I have had an owl fly across my path, and have seen owls in the tops of trees during the day. I also saw an oriole, and lots of birds I couldn't identify. (I'm not a birder, but this IS a great place for them). If you come to the woods close to sunset, you are likely to see deer, including perhaps Cape's fabled albino deer (I saw him here). If you come in the spring, you will see tadpoles swimming in some of the puddles next to the path. You can hardly get so close to nature anywhere else, in the...

Seems like a wonderful place! Only made it across the bridge. Turned around. Weren’t sure which paths went where. Didn’t want to walk that far, that day. The mosquitoes were RELENTLESS! We couldn’t stop to take a photo without being IMMEDIATELY INUNDATED! I understand that there’s excess water from storms. But MAN! It was brutal! Around noon, two days ago. May try another day. Another thing, the signage was on the street, RIGHT at the entrance to the park. No other road signs just before to show we were close. Even (updated) Siri didn’t tell me to turn left until we were RIGHT THERE! So, I drove ahead and turned around. Seems to be THE PARK for those who...

The trail is paved, generally clean and clear, and there are a few benches and trash cans along the way. It seems to have a constant flow of walkers and bikers. I feel safe there all year round. Additionally, this portion of the trail is almost completely shaded and cooler in temperature. It's the best place to walk/bike outdoors in...