Kansas City feels like a great place to make new friends, network, and get yourself out there. However, many of us aren't taking trips out to local nature areas, instead preferring to stay home or just go to Swope Park. It's true that Swope is huge, but sometimes you'll find that you might have more fun exploring an area that's not full of people. This aboveground cave and crumbling ruins is the perfect excuse to get out of the house, no matter the weather. Come check it out!

Welcome to Cave Spring Park and the Cave Springs Trail.

The park, also known as William M. Klein Park, has several trails to explore, but the Cave Springs Trail itself is an easy 1-mile loop that's pretty popular in warmer months, for reasons you'll soon understand.

The first thing to note is that this site is full of history.

Not only is it a part of the Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails, but the area was also used by Native American tribes, such as the Kansa, Osage, and Fox. Artifacts like arrowheads and carved stones found in the area date all the way back to 7,000 B.C.

The Native American tribes relied upon the spring for water, but today the park is perfect for exploring and photography.

The slowly trickling water once meant that this was a good place to stop and camp, but now it attracts visitors just for the scenery. Even still, keeping this area clean is vital for local wildlife.

Everyone's favorite attraction out here is, of course, the cave.

The little hole in the rock holds a rich history, and it's been here for quite a while. Nearby, there are ruins of what were once homes sitting right by the cave.

There are numerous chimneys still standing strong, though the houses around them have long been gone.

Hiking this one-mile trail is well worth the adventure, with all of this history left behind to explore while you're here. Why not head out to Raytown for a day and spend time out in nature?

Fun fact: Harry Truman's grandfather once owned this property in the 1870s! The park area has changed hands several times since, and was finally donated to Jackson County in 1975. These days, the park is maintained by Cave Springs Association, with the help of several scout troops and the Raytown Garden Club.

For more information, as well as details about activities and volunteer opportunities, check out the Cave Springs Park website. Don't miss out on visiting the interpretive center while you're visiting! Here's a handy map to help you get to this little natural oasis:

If you're feeling the urge to get out there and explore our local nature, there's a great discovery park that's also perfect for a day out with family. If you'd rather just stay home for now and enjoy the scenery, you should join our Missouri Nature Lovers group on Facebook for beautiful outdoor photos from all across the state!