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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Columbia & Centralia, Missouri
Battlefield Lavender's 2,400 plants near Centralia bloom from late May into mid-June, a short drive from Rock Bridge's caves and Columbia's trails.
2 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Battlefield Lavender grows more than 2,400 plants of 14 varieties in 1.3 miles of rows near Centralia, about 25 minutes northeast of Columbia. The family farm uses no pesticides or herbicides and weeds and harvests by hand. At harvest its drying barn holds about 10,000 bundles. The shop stocks more than 300 items made on the farm, and admission is free.
Columbia, home of the University of Missouri, adds a university art museum, bakeries, gardens and a city trail that links to the Katy Trail. South and west of town the land turns to caves, creek valleys and river bluffs at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Three Creeks Conservation Area and the Eagle Bluffs wetlands on the Missouri River. Come in early June for lavender, or in fall for color on the bluffs and migrating birds.
The lavender farms
- Battlefield LavenderLavender farm · Centralia
Early to mid-June
Gift shop open daily year-round with free admission; you-pick during the June bloom (2026: May 29-June 14); free drying-barn tours at harvest; classes by sign-up.
Best time to visit
Lavender comes early here. In 2026 Battlefield Lavender's bloom and you-pick ran May 29 through June 14, with free 'show and smell' drying barn tours during harvest. The farm's shop is listed as open year-round, but Columbia's visitor bureau describes the farm as seasonal from May to September, so call before an off-season trip. Late May through August suits Finger Lakes State Park's swimming beach and 4.5-mile water trail. In fall the limestone bluffs at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area turn color and migrating waterfowl arrive, though parts of the area close from October 15 to March 1 to protect them. Rock Bridge, Shelter Gardens and Columbia's trails are good any time of year, and Battlefield Lavender sells at the Columbia Farmers Market most Saturdays.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Rock Bridge Memorial State Park🌳 State park · Columbia · about 25 mi, 35 min drive
The Devil's Icebox cave system has a rock bridge, sinkholes, a spring and an underground stream. You can explore Connor's Cave by the light from its opening, and the Gans Creek Wild Area offers quieter hiking.
- Finger Lakes State Park🌳 State park · Columbia · about 14 mi, 20 min drive
Built on a former coal mining area, this is one of two state parks with ATV and off-road motorcycle trails. Quieter choices include a 4.5-mile water trail (trolling motors only), a swimming beach and the 3.8-mile Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail.
ORV permit required for off-road riders
- Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area🌲 Preserve · McBaine · about 29 mi, 45 min drive
Seventeen shallow pools flood about 1,100 acres of marsh beside the Missouri River, drawing migrating and wintering birds. From the Warren School Road lot, walk up into a small upland forest that looks out over the wetlands.
Open daily 4 a.m.–10 p.m.; parts closed October 15–March 1 to protect waterfowl; fall color on the bluffs
- Three Creeks Conservation Area🌲 Preserve · Columbia · about 27 mi, 35 min drive
About 1,600 acres between Columbia and Ashland where Turkey, Bass and Bonne Femme creeks run below scenic bluffs. Trails are open to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders.
Open daily 4 a.m.–10 p.m.
- MKT Trail🥾 Trail · Columbia · about 24 mi, 35 min drive
Columbia's multi-use trail connects to the state Katy Trail. The Scott Boulevard access has parking, a year-round restroom, water and a bike repair station.
Open 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
- Katy Trail State Park🥾 Trail · McBaine · about 28 mi, 45 min drive
The 240-mile Katy Trail passes through Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area near McBaine, and the MKT Trail links Columbia to it, so you can ride from town onto the state trail.
- Museum of Art and Archaeology🏛️ Museum · Columbia · about 21 mi, 30 min drive
The University of Missouri's museum, in Ellis Library on campus, holds more than 16,000 objects from six continents spanning five millennia. An Art-o-Mat machine sells small original works.
Check the museum's website for current hours
- Shelter Gardens🌷 Garden · Columbia · about 22 mi, 30 min drive
Five acres at the Shelter Insurance offices on West Broadway with more than 300 kinds of trees and shrubs, more than 15,000 annuals and perennials, and a replica 19th-century one-room schoolhouse.
Daily 8 a.m. to dusk; closed Christmas Day and in bad weather
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Uprise BakeryBakery · Columbia
A downtown Columbia bakery and kitchen at 10 Hitt Street, open Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., with a bar in the evening.
- The Upper CrustBakery · Columbia
A South Columbia bakery and café of more than 25 years, with bread baked daily, scratch soups, salads and desserts, and a large patio.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMBattlefield Lavender
Walk the rows, pick lavender during the June bloom, take the drying barn tour and browse the shop. Allow 1.5 hours.
- 12:00 PMUprise Bakery · about 30 min drive
About 30 minutes to downtown Columbia. Lunch from the bakery counter and kitchen. Allow 1 hour.
- 1:10 PMMuseum of Art and Archaeology · about 5 min drive
A few minutes away on the university campus, in Ellis Library. Check hours before you go. Allow 45 minutes.
- 2:15 PMShelter Gardens · about 10 min drive
About 10 minutes west on Broadway. Walk the five acres of gardens and the schoolhouse. Allow 45 minutes.
- 3:20 PMRock Bridge Memorial State Park · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes south. See the rock bridge and the Devil's Icebox area and peek into Connor's Cave. Allow 1.25 hours.
- 5:00 PMEagle Bluffs Conservation Area · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes west toward McBaine. Watch for wetland birds in the evening light from the Warren School Road lot.
Tips
- Pets are not allowed at Battlefield Lavender; service animals are welcome. The farm is partly wheelchair accessible and takes cash and cards.
- Battlefield's 2026 bloom lasted just over two weeks (May 29–June 14), so watch the farm's website in late May and come early in the bloom.
- Finger Lakes off-road riders need a permit. Single-day permits are sold online or at the park office.
- Eagle Bluffs and Three Creeks are open 4 a.m.–10 p.m. Parts of Eagle Bluffs close October 15–March 1, and groups of 10 or more riding horses or bikes at Three Creeks need a permit requested 30 days ahead.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does lavender bloom at Battlefield Lavender?
In late May and early to mid-June. The 2026 bloom and you-pick ran May 29 through June 14.
Is there an admission fee at Battlefield Lavender?
No. Admission is free, reservations are not required, and the farm offers a military discount.
Can I bring my dog to Battlefield Lavender?
No. Pets are not allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Can you go into the caves at Rock Bridge?
You can explore Connor's Cave using the light from its opening. The park describes the Devil's Icebox as a large cave system with a rock bridge, sinkholes and an underground stream.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
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