Runge Nature Center — Attraction in Jefferson City

I like this outdoor treasure that's nestled just a few minutes from our Missouri Capitol. Currently (Spring 2025) sees Runge under construction with improvements happening at the visitor center/indoor section as well as outdoor, but still very much functional and fun! About 2 miles of well maintained, clean, beautiful trails weave through quiet grassland, fields of seasonal wildflowers, and foresty areas with a variety of aged trees. On the visit where these pictures were taken, March 2025, the flowers were not yet in bloom, but the birds were already sweetly singing. Visit in Summer for gorgeous wildflowers beside the trails. A very nice outdoor escape inside of a bustling city, and it's a shame part of the trail borders a neighborhood, but those residents keep their homes looking very nice, it just reduces the 'out in nature' experience. A part I relish is the old fire tower lookout. Historical signs tell the story of the tower and the husband and wife who operated it many years. People can climb the steps for a bird's-eye-view of this area, but the tower building at the top is locked. Come enjoy a very nice getaway in Jeff City at Runge. Due to work hours, I have never been inside the building, but it looks like a fun, educational opportunity and I took a picture during renovation where I saw taxidermy animals and displays along with things to read. Thankfully, while the inside closes by 5pm, trails are accessible until 8pm. There's even a shorter wheelchair accessible trail right off the parking lot that offers nice features to read and view Missouri's...

Love the Runge Conservation Center! Love using the trails for my regular relaxing walks and workout walks. They have blacktop trails (wheelchair friendly if enjoy hills) and more natural mulched trails. There are usually deer and turkey to spot on your walking. And much more smaller fawna. During Tuesday thru Saturday the Nature Center is open and has lots of fun information for the children and many sights and live animals for them to see and learn about. They have a large viewing area that kids can watch the wildlife come up. They do wonderful demos and hands on teachings of local flora and fawna. Throughout the year Runge has many events where they display many different types and mediums of art from local artists! They also have great classes and activities to offer. We did a kayaking class and archery 🏹 class they had offered and was fun for the kids and enjoyed greatly! We love when we go, we have a chance of finding special painted rocks left by the JCROCKS Fairies! Also hiding our own there. Even with Covid restrictions they still have stuff to offer and always a great place to...

We loved our visit here so much! It was totally worth the drive from Columbia. We attended a Little Acorns "class" and the facilitator was amazing with the kids, incorporating a fun mix of silly and informational experiences for the kids, and letting the kids see and touch two different kinds of live turtles. Then we poked around the exhibits inside for a long time--a fascinating children's area with lots to see, touch, and learn about in different ways. We watched the snapping turtles for a very long time, and even saw one catch and eat a goldfish! We explored the Naturescape trail which was just right for our littles (all under 7 years old), and picnicked in the pavilion before going back to soak in more of the indoor exhibits. We stayed four hours in all, but you could also enjoy a shorter visit. We will try to make this at least an...