Visit Us
Visitors to Neosho National Fish Hatchery can view exhibits in the visitor center during open hours. This includes exhibits on the history of the fish hatchery and aquarium containing native fish. Visitors can also walk the 1/3 mile loop around the grounds and look at fish in the ponds and raceways. The grounds also boast four picnic shelters which can be used for small gatherings.
Driving Directions
Neosho National Fish Hatchery has two entrances. Our main address is 520 Park Street, Neosho, MO 64850. The Visitors Center and hatchery grounds can also be accessed from McKinney Street (Highway 86) at 619 McKinney Street, Neosho MO 64850.
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available inside the visitor center during business hours.
Points of Interest
The visitor center boasts several interpretive exhibits, a gift shop and aquariums for viewing fish. The biggest attraction is the large aquarium with a bubble so you can crawl in and get a fisheye view. We have a 1/3 mile walking loop around our ponds and raceways for exercise and fish viewing. There are also display aquariums and flower beds planted with native plants around the hatchery building and parking lot at 520 Park Street.
What To Do
If you have 15 minutes
- View exhibits in the visitor center
- Walk the loop and feed the fish
- Walk through the hatchery building
If you have one hour
- Make an appointment for a tour with a staff member
If you have half a day or more
- Do it all twice!
Know Before You Go
Southwest Missouri can be very warm from late spring through early fall. We ask that you dress for the weather and take breaks as needed. Our visitor center closes at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 4:00 p.m. on weekends. The grounds close at 4:30 p.m. daily. Due to recent issues, all gates to the property now lock at 4:30 pm. Don't get yourself, or your vehicle locked in! Please plan your visit accordingly.
Visitor Tips
Neosho National Fish Hatchery grounds and visitor center are open seven days a week. While we believe there is never a bad time to visit the hatchery, we generally don’t have fish in the small ponds from June through September. But there are always fish to feed in the Derby pond.
Activities
Neosho National Fish Hatchery grounds offer the opportunity for walking, hiking and running. Opportunities also exist for birdwatching and photography. Several picnic shelters are available for visitors to rest and enjoy a meal while on station.
Trails
Visitor Center loop
Open season: year round
Length: 1/3 mile
Location of trail: Trail circles the 4 small ponds and our covered raceways
Surface Concrete/asphalt
Difficulty: Low
Information: The trail is accessible at either of our parking lots and also through our pedestrian walk-in gates
Related Documents
Rules and Policies
We take pride in the hatchery grounds. Please help us keep the hatchery clean by placing trash in the waste cans provided. We ask that all pets remain on a leash. There are special pet waste receptacles located near the branch. The grounds of the hatchery are closed after business hours. In years past people would cut through the grounds after hours to get to the other side. For safety reasons we are unable to allow that to continue. All gates lock at 4:30 p.m. and unlock again at 8:00 a.m. daily. Thank you for your help in keeping the hatchery safe for all who visit.
Locations
Although the hatchery address is 520 Park Street, the entrance is on McKinney St. /Hwy 86. If you use a GPS to help find your way, to might bring you to the back entrance. If the gate is open you can drive in to reach the parking lot. If not, you will need to drive around the block and enter off of McKinney Street. The large onion dome visitor center is right off McKinney Street and easy to see.