There are several cool spots near Joplin - wildcat glades - grand falls -walter woods… all great places and could be combined for a long day trip

Neosho has the bicentennial nature area which used to be part of crowder. My grandfather actually grew up on that land and when I was little we would go walking there - 30 years ago you could still see the foundations of some homes.
Neosho also has a pretty cool fish hatchery and hiking at Morse Park