December 2025 Ozark Exploration: Winter Wonders

❄️ December: Winter Wonders – Tracks, Trees & Wildlife! 🐾🌲

The Ozarks are truly magical in winter! Join us for a 2-hour guided hike and discover the quiet beauty of the forest in its winter slumber. Even though the leaves have fallen, the forest is still full of life—you just have to know where to look! 🦉🐾

What’s in Store?

🌲 Winter Tree Identification – Learn how to identify trees by their bark, buds, and form—even without leaves!

🐾 Tracking and Scat – Keep an eye out for animal tracks and scat as we search for signs of wildlife preparing for the cold. Who’s been out and about?

🦊Winter Wildlife – See how the animals of the Ozarks adapt to winter and explore the unique beauty of the season as we spot their signs and learn about their survival strategies.

❄️ Winter’s Peaceful Beauty – Take in the serene stillness of the season, with the crisp air, quiet trails, and the chance to appreciate the quieter side of nature.

This family-friendly hike is great for all ages and skill levels, covering about 1 mile of trail with mild to moderate elevation changes over the course of two hours. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the year by reconnecting with nature and embracing the winter wonders that the Ozarks have to offer!

Schedule

8:45am-8:55am - Check-in

8:55am - Orientation with ONSC staff

9am-11am - Hike

Important Information

🚗Parking: Parking is available on site in our main parking lot.

🥾Please bring water bottle, long pants, close-toed shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Ticket Information

• Ticket prices are by donation.

  • Suggested donation is $10/adult, $5/child 17 and under

• Registration is required to help with staffing needs.

• If you register and then are unable to attend, please let ONSC know at info@onsc.us so that we can adjust staffing needs.

  
  

  All proceeds go to support research, community science, and education at Ozark Natural Science Center.

  
  

Ticket Refund Policy

• Refunds up to 1 week before the event: Tickets are refundable minus any applicable fees (processing, administrative, etc.) until 7 days before the event.

• Refunds within 1 week of the event: For refund requests made less than 7 days prior to the event, a 50% refund will be given.

• No refunds within 24 hours of the event: Refund requests made within 24 hours of the event are not permitted, except in exceptional circumstances and only with approval from ONSC administration.

*Please note that all refund requests must be submitted in writing to jill.bowman@onsc.us. Refunds will be processed within 7-10 business days

Other 2025 ONSC Exploration Hikes

• May 2025 Ozark Exploration: Mushroom Meanderings

• June 2025 Ozark Exploration: Birding Around the Bends

• July 2025 Ozark Exploration: Geology Gallivanting - Fossils, Rocks, & Natural Paints

• August 2025 Ozark Exploration: Accessible Trail Adventures - Nature for Everyone

• September 2025 Ozark Exploration: Fall Foraging & Settler History

• October 2025 Ozark Exploration: Fall Foliage at Wishing Rock

• November 2025 Ozark Exploration: Native American History

• December 2025 Ozark Exploration: Winter Wonders

About Ozark Natural Science Center 

ONSC offers a unique, immersion-based approach to learning about nature and the natural sciences. Students visit us for authentic science learning experiences that are correlated with national and state science learning standards and provide in-depth education in biology, ecology, geology, social studies, and nature art – all while students have fun hiking and experiencing nature. Camp activities include  hikes, team-building, games, art, and small-group activities.

Questions? Please email Education and Community Program Manager, Liz Hill at liz.hill@onsc.us.