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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday 8am - 5pm Sunday 8am - 5pm

Shaw Nature Reserve

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Gray Summit, MO
Shaw Nature Reserve

Shaw Nature Reserve, a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden, featuring diverse native habitats. Services dogs are welcome.
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Register for your advanced e-tickets at shawnature.org/visit

The Nature Reserve is a tobacco-free environment. Pets, weapons, collecting natural materials, and swimming are not permitted. Visitors must adhere to posted guidelines and closing time. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s land purchase in 1925 began the legacy of Shaw Nature Reserve. Originally

set up as a safe refuge for the plant collection from the smoke pollution of the 1920’s, its role in the community has evolved through the years. Shaw Nature Reserve has many roles—as a nature reserve, a place to walk and hike, and a good spot for relaxing and for studying nature.

06/12/2026

Create a wine basket woven with reed at Shaw Nature Reserve on Saturday, June 20. Pre-registration required. Learn more and register here: https://secure.missouribotanicalgarden.org/30078/31043
Photo courtesy: Pat Moore

06/08/2026

Join Shaw Nature Reserve education staff at the Butterfly House for an evening of firefly festivity!

06/06/2026

Happy National Trails Day--celebrate the day with an adventure through a mosaic of Missouri ecosystems!

If you've been waiting for the right day to explore at Shaw Nature Reserve, today is a great day--non-members can receive free admission to explore some of Missouri's natural communities. Stop by the Visitor Center anytime before our final entry at 4:30 to enjoy a free hike through the prairies, woodlands, glades, wetlands, or take a stroll through the Whitmire Wildflower Garden to see all the beautiful blooms!

Description: Top, two hikers crossing the Kling Family Bridge at Shaw Nature Reserve; bottom, text that reads, "Happy National Trails Day, enjoy free admission all day (June 6th) to Shaw Nature Reserve to Celebrate! Operating Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, final entry at 4:30 pm"

📸: Nathan Kwarta

05/29/2026

Please note that Shaw Nature Reserve will be closing early on Friday, May 29 with last entry at 3:30pm prior to the start of our Flora Flights event this evening. For those with tickets to the event, the gates will reopen at 4:30pm to begin parking.

05/20/2026

Flora Flights
May 29, 2026
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Shaw Nature Reserve

Savor a vibrant spring evening celebrating the beauty and flavor of Missouri’s native plants. Join us for Flora Flights, a curated tasting experience where botanicals inspire every sip.

Your exclusive experience includes:
- A tasting flight featuring beverages infused with Missouri native plants prepared by Natural History Brewing Co.
- Tours of the new Ozark Ethnobotany Garden by our horticulture team
- Demonstrations of the ethnobotanical uses of Missouri native plants
- Insights from Shaw Nature Reserve staff and non-profit partners on the stories and ecology behind each featured species
- A personalized “flight” of native plants to take home and plant in your own garden
- Leisurely time to explore the Reserve’s spring landscapes at golden hour

Enhance your evening with additional light bites and beverages available for purchase.

An unforgettable spring evening awaits—steeped in botanicals, beauty, and the serenity of Shaw Nature Reserve.

Purchase tickets at the following link: https://secure.missouribotanicalgarden.org/29537/29538?_gl=1*kv2lx9*_gcl_au*MjA4Mzc1MzAyNC4xNzc1NjY5OTU0*_ga*MjMzOTQ4NDAwLjE3NTk1MTY1NDM.*_ga_W6C0SJ035J*czE3Nzc0NzE5NTQkbzQxJGcxJHQxNzc3NDk4MjkzJGozNCRsMCRoMA..

05/12/2026

Dr. Raven first visited Shaw Nature Reserve when he was considering taking the job as Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden. In his autobiography, he recalls enjoying the lovely spring flora of the Midwestern U.S. for the first time at the Nature Reserve, in particular recalling the beauty of the Missouri evening primroses. “It was a lovely day in beautiful surroundings, and helped cement our desire to move to St. Louis,” he wrote.

During his nearly 40-year tenure as the Garden’s President and Director of the Garden, Dr. Raven made many meaningful contributions to the Nature Reserve, including the creation and dedication of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden in 1993.

The Whitmire Wildflower Garden showcases the beauty of Missouri’s flora with more than 500 native plant species. The 10-acre garden is enchanting throughout all seasons and uniquely alluring during springtime. We encourage you to take a stroll in Dr. Raven’s honor and admire the spring flowers now in bloom, including the Missouri evening primrose.

We invite you to read more about Dr. Raven’s remarkable life and his lasting impact on the Garden, our region, and the world: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/peter-raven

05/08/2026

Planning to spend your Mother's Day weekend with us at Shaw Nature Reserve? Prior to your arrival, please review our guidelines and tips!

05/07/2026

Looking for weekend plans? Check out our next pop-up plant market featuring St. Louis Wild Ones on Saturday, May 9 from 10am - 2pm. Hope to see you all there!

And don't forget that we also have new plants available at the visitor center each week in May!

See our weekly plant lists and more information about the Ozark Flora Fest here: https://bycell.co/ddtuk

Address

307 Pinetum Loop Road
Gray Summit, MO
63039

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 5pm
Sunday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

(314) 577-9555

Website

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plan-your-visit/family-of-attractions/shaw-nature-reserve

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