Winter Nature Walks

These are a few favorite ways to experience nature in the winter.

Before Your Winter Nature Walk

Your time outdoors will be more fun if you’re prepared. Consider the amount of time you expect to spend outdoors and prepare accordingly. If you’re taking a 15- to 30-minute walk in the neighborhood, a water bottle and basic winter layers will do. If you’re planning a longer nature walk or hike, you might want to bring snacks and really layer up. Some preparation tips:

• Make Trail Mix: My girls love a trail mix bag. I set out favorite ingredients, and they make their own bag of goodies. Granola, mini pretzels, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, coconut, sesame seeds and even some sweet treats (limited) make a tasty snack to take along.
• Design Your Own Scavenger Hunt: Let each member of the family contribute to a hunt list suggesting three to five things you should try to find on your walk. These can include animal prints, squirrels, birds, particular trees, pinecones, feathers, rocks, a creek, pond, nest and shapes in clouds. Let your kids brainstorm for other ideas.
• Bundle Up: I purchase inexpensive packs of hand warmers at the local box store and keep them in my van for our winter adventures. For longer walks, I have my kids wear layers, including cuddle duds (think modern long underwear under jeans) and their coats, hats and gloves. We always bring water bottles—remember sunglasses, too.
• Pack a First Aid Kit: I keep a complete kit in my van and a small kit to take in a backpack with basic bandages and such. For tips on building a family first aid kit, visit RedCross.org.

Where to Go

Some of our favorites include:

• Shawnee Mission Park (JCPRD.com). The park features a 120-acre lake, mountain bike trails, hiking trails and paved nature trails. It is ideal for short walks or long hikes.
• Blue Springs Lake (MakeYourDayHere.com). This park is home to a 720-acre lake. Their most scenic trails are the Lake Vista Trails, a 5-mile scenic loop around the lake with bridges, hills and woods.
• Watkins Mill State Park (MoStateParks.com). The trail around the 100-acre lake is paved and ideal for walking or biking. The park is also home to an antebellum historic home and woolen mill you may tour.
• Ernie Miller Nature Center ( JCPRD.com). Visits to the nature center are always fun for children who enjoy seeing the animals and exploring the hands-on exhibits. There are numerous trails to enjoy around the nature center, through the woods and near the creek. You can easily choose shorter or longer routes according to your time.
• Cave Spring Nature Center (CaveSpring.org). The trails around the 39-acre park are known for the cave, the old hedge trees and the ruins of old pioneer shelters where you’ll find multiple chimneys, the only surviving landmarks of former homes.

• Blue Springs Lake Marina

  Blue Springs Lake Marina is found one mile east of 291 Highway on Bowlin Road. Conveniences include boat rentals from April 15 thru October 15 (weather permitting), lakeside gasoline pumps and overnight slip rental.

• Cave Spring Historic Site & Nature Center

  Visit the nature center and hiking trails.

• Ernie Miller Nature Center

  The nature center features animals native to Kansas, hiking trails and educational programs.

• Shawnee Mission Park

  Shawnee Mission Park is the second largest park in the county and the most visited park in the entire state of Kansas.

• Watkins Woolen Mill State Park

  Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site consists of a 1,500-acre park including recreational facilities and the historic site grounds.