Hayes Spring Conservation Area offers a scenic 1-mile walking trail to a beautiful spring that flows from a small cave into Dry Crane Creek, making it an excellent destination for a 20-30 minute round trip hike.

The area is open to hunting and provides parking access via Hayes Spring Road after crossing Dry Crane Creek multiple times on low-water bridges.

This 104-acre conservation area is notable for protecting the endangered Ozark Cavefish habitat and is regularly monitored for water quality as part of the James River Basin Partnership's sampling program.