About the Area
Big Sugar Creek State Park offers a glimpse into the natural landscape of southwest Missouri that early settlers would have encountered. Between forested ridges and hills are oak-savanna habitats, and the Big Sugar Creek runs along the southern portion of the park. The ruins of a single-room school can be found at the trailhead, preserving some of the local cultural heritage of the area. The Ozark-Chinqapin Trail leads from the parking lot and loops back toward the trailhead after a few miles. This trail would be good for an afternoon hike. This trail also passes through the Elk River Breaks Natural Area. The natural area showcases the natural habitats of the region from pre-settlement times including shortleaf pine, post oak, hickory trees forming a savanna that covers the scenic hillsides. While exploring this savanna, you might find Red-headed Woodpeckers, Eastern Bluebirds, Loggerhead Shrikes, and Red-tailed Hawks. You may also find Harris’s Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, and Eastern Towhee in these grasslands.
From Springfield, take I-44 W to MO-97 S. Follow State Hwy 97 S and MO-86 E to MO-76 W in Barry County. Follow MO-76 W to State Hwy V in Elk Horn Township. Continue on State Hwy V. Drive to County Rd SEW24 in Pineville North Township and the park entrance is on the north side of the road.
Joplin and Springfield are the two largest cities in the southwest corner of the state, each with good options for food and lodging. Springfield hosts the Springfield Conservation Nature Center along the Galloway Creek, with hiking trails in the woodlands behind the visitor center offering excellent birding opportunities. Catch a Springfield Cardinals game or visit the Dickerson Park Zoo. Bring the kids to the Discovery Center of Springfield or the Fantastic Caverns. You might also try birding the Springfield Botanical Garden or the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Nathanael Greene Park.
Nearby birding hotspots include Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area to the southwest and Roaring River State Park to the east. Huckleberry Ridge is an oak-hickory forest with some glades. Birding is best in spring and summer — look for migrant vireos, thrushes, wood warblers, orioles, and tanagers. Roaring River SP is a very large park on the west side of Table Rock Lake. It features diverse habitats and an equal diversity of birds. You can find waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, as well as sparrows, wood warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and a lot more.