Imagine a trail where the adventure starts the moment you step out of your car—where scenic stops are so conveniently located that they’re practically in the parking lot. That’s the experience awaiting you at this natural wonder in Missouri: the Glade Top Trail, a 23-mile National Forest Scenic Byway.

Begin your journey just outside Ava, Missouri, an easy drive about an hour southeast of Springfield, Missouri.

Unlike other trails where signs urge you to “Stay on the trail,” here, you’re encouraged to step off the trail and explore. With seven designated “pull-outs,” you can park, step out, and immediately immerse yourself in the scenic surroundings.

The 23-mile trail was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a two-lane gravel road 500 feet above the countryside in the 1930s. Like many projects at the time, the intention was to create jobs during the Great Depression, promote conservation, and provide infrastructure to improve access to natural areas. The area is popular with ATV enthusiasts [you’ll need a permit]. As an on-foot hiker, I like knowing I can access a gravel trail without worrying about washouts.

The Glade Top Trail offers both easy-access vistas and the option for a more traditional hike along the Bateman Trail, which winds through the same area. The 16-mile trail is open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians.

What is a glade, anyway? Glades are open, sunny areas within vast wooded areas. These open areas provide an opportunity to see native wildflowers from spring to fall.

The federal government made efforts to conserve the natural woodlands in southern Missouri by purchasing large swaths of land, but some landowners opted to keep their properties. As you gaze out over nearly 40 miles, you’ll spot charming homesteads and farms dotting the landscape.

Looking south, you'll see the Boston Mountains about 40 miles away in Arkansas. Looking northwest, you'll see the Springfield plateau 20 miles ahead.

Two creeks in the glades, Big Creek and Beaver Creek, have pristine blue-green waters. You’re more likely to catch a glimpse of them if you head off the Glade Top Trail onto the Bateman Trail.

The Glade Top Trail is the perfect place to watch the seasons change, especially in the fall. It is one of the best places in Missouri to see the leaves changing. I also love to see the woods come alive in spring with budding trees and wildflowers.

Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway near Ava, Missouri, makes it easy to access some of the best views in the state. Have you been? Which of the stops along the byway are your favorite? I recommend visiting the USDA Forest Service site to access the downloadable Glade Top Trail Interpretive Tour map so you can handpick your scenic overlooks and get directions to specific pull-out spots. Are you planning a road trip to Missouri? Check out our guides and must-have packing list.