Runge Nature Center is the place to go when you have had enough of marble and history. Run by the Missouri Department of Conservation on the north-western edge of Jefferson City, it has an exhibit hall about Missouri's wildlife and a set of short trails through oak and hickory woods, ponds and glades. Entry is free.
The exhibit hall
Inside, the exhibits introduce the plants and animals of central Missouri: the fish of the river, the birds of the woods, the snakes most people would rather meet behind glass. Large windows look out on bird feeders, and on a winter morning they are busy. It is a good stop with children, and a good one on a wet day.
The trails
Several short loops start near the building. Most are under two miles, mostly shaded, with some climbs and steps. They pass through woods, along a creek and by a pond, and they are well marked. In spring the woods are full of wildflowers; in fall the color is as good as anywhere close to town.
- Time. An hour for the exhibits and one loop, two if you walk more of them.
- Shoes. Sneakers are fine in dry weather. After rain some sections are muddy.
- Birds. Come early in the morning, especially in April and May.
- Rules. Stay on the trails; it is a conservation area, not a park.
Combining it with the river
Runge is a short drive from downtown. It works well on the morning of the second day of a weekend in town, before you cross the river for a ride on the Katy Trail. If you are deciding between the two on a hot day, Runge's shade wins in the middle of summer; the open river trail is better on cooler days. The seasons page says more.