Dispersed Camping

Dispersed Camping Areas

• Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District

  Visitors to Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs District will find different landscapes from oak-hickory forests , shortleaf pine forests, and glades. Glades are open areas of native tall prairie grasses characterized by dry, shallow soils and limestone outcroppings.

  The unique blending of eastern forest and western desert habitats makes a home for such varied wildlife as the bald eagle and the roadrunner, armadillos and wild turkey, white-tailed deer and black bears.

  The sunlit balds and deep hollows, narrow ridgetops and steep slopes, secluded pastures and clear streams characteristic of the Ozarks are the trademark of the District. This is the landscape so eloquently described in Harold Bell Wright's famous book, The Shepherd of the Hills.

  Nearby vacation destinations -- Branson, Silver Dollar City, Bass Pro, and Table Rock Lake -- make the District one of Missouri's favorite playgrounds.

  If you drive through this area, you will be delighted at every turn by scenic views. Hike your way through the Forest and you will find solitude and tranquility.

  The beautiful North Fork River is the pride of Willow Springs Area. A total of nine major springs flow into the river; two of the largest, Big Springs and Blue Spring, contribute some 18 million gallons of cold, clear water every day. The river is popular with canoeists as well as anglers.

  The District contains three of seven Congressionally-designated Wilderness Areas; Devils Backbone, Hercules Glades, and Piney Creek Wildernesses.

  The District has the Forest’s only National Forest Scenic Byways; Blue Buck Knob, Glade Top Trail; and Sugar Camp.

• Swan Creek Non-Motorized Area
• Devils Backbone Wilderness

  Devils Backbone Wilderness, taking its name from a long narrow ridge known to the early settlers as Devils Backbone, is a unique blend of Missouri Ozark flora and fauna, characterized by rugged topography, springs and the North Fork River.

  With 6,687 acres inside the Wilderness boundary, this is an ideal area for day hiking or overnight backpacking. A long, narrow ridge supports the center of the Wilderness, with 1,020 feet as its highest “vertebra.”

  Thirteen miles of maintained foot and horse trails follow the Devils Backbone and four other ridges, dropping off into surrounding hollows in a forest dominated by oaks, hickories, and shortleaf pines. Elevations range from 1020 feet to 680 feet along the North Fork of the White River, a high quality, spring fed Ozark stream. Blue Spring, Amber Spring and McGarr Spring provide water to the river year-round.

  Dogwood, redbud and wild azaleas give the wilderness a wild burst of color in the spring. Fall isn’t to be outdone when the oaks, sweet gum, and sugar maple put on a show of yellow, oranges and reds.

  Scattered limestone glades and other openings provide some of the more favorable places to view wildlife. White-tailed deer, gray squirrel, raccoon, coyote, red and gray fox, bobcat and striped skunk are some of the mammals native to the area. Wild turkey, red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, bald eagle, turkey vulture, great blue heron, pileated woodpecker and various songbirds can be seen. Among the reptiles common to the area are two poisonous snakes, the copperhead and the eastern timber rattler.

  Brochure and Maps

  • A printable brochure (2.6m pdf format) of the Wilderness is available for download.
  • Trail System Map (printable) and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.

  Trails: There are 13 miles of moderate trail within the area accessible from McGarr Ridge Trailhead. Foot, and horseback travel only.

• Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway

  Welcome to Glade Top Trail, a National Forest Scenic Byway in Missouri!

  This 23-mile Scenic Byway is named for the beautiful glades that surround the ridge tops where the Scenic Byway traverses.

  Along the trail are seven overlook “pull-outs” that provide panoramic views that reach to the Springfield Plateau twenty miles to the northwest and forty miles south to the Boston Mountains in Arkansas. Visit the detail stop links below for more about each of the views.

  The Glade Top Trail is little changed from the original road constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930’s. For twenty-three miles, the two-lane, all weather gravel road follows narrow ridge tops rising approximately 500 feet above the surrounding rolling countryside, and overlooks and passes through many limestone/dolomite glades interspersed with open and closed woodlands.

  Fun Fact: 

  People have been using the word glade since the 1500s. The term was often used, not just to indicate a clearing in the woods, but one filled with sunlight.

  According to Merriam-Webster dictionary the word Glade is defined as “an open space surrounded by woods”. It is thought to come from the adjective glad, which also meant “shining”.

  Hence, glades in Missouri are sunshine filled openings in a vast forested area.

  !AGENTS OF DISCOVERY MISSION SITE!

  

  The Glade Top Trail has a secret mission for kids (or adults) to play when visiting!  Download the Agents of Discovery app to your mobile device, search for the Caney Picnic Area Glade Top Trail in the available missions and have some extra fun when visiting this day use area.

  More on how to how to use the app

  Glade Top Trail Interpretive Tour 

  (Traveling North to South) Downloadable Map.

  Stops Along the Byway

  • Haden Park
  • Smoke Tree Scene
  • Arkansas View
  • Watershed Divide
  • Caney Picnic Area
  • Willie Lee/Wolf Junction
  • Big Creek Basin
  • Panorama
  • McClurg Glade
• Wolf Junction (GTT Stop 7)
• Hercules Glades Wilderness

  Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is 12,413 acres of the most scenic and unique country in the Midwest. The Wilderness is located 10 miles northeast of Branson, MO.

  Its combination of open grassland, forested knobs, steep rocky hillsides, and narrow drainages offers unusual beauty and a measure of solitude within easy reach of wilderness lovers.

  Wilderness Area History

  This Wilderness was designated in 1976, making it the oldest Wilderness in Missouri. The name comes from the limestone glades throughout the Wilderness and the nearby town of Hercules.

  The Hercules Trailhead is also home to the 100 foot tall Hercules Fire Tower, built in 1936 and still in use today. The tower itself is closed to the public.

  Terrain and Topography

  The area is characterized by shallow droughty soils and limestone rock outcroppings.

  The high points of Coy Bald and Pilot Knob stand more than 600 feet above Long Creek, one of only two (along with Cane Creek) year-round sources of water. There are numerous waterfalls in the Wilderness, and Long Creek has several smaller waterfalls and cascades along its path.

  Long Creek bisects the wilderness east to west. Over history the creek has carved deep channels into the rock.

  Trails

  From the trailheads there is 32 miles of maintained trails which follows along open glades, forested ridgetops and Long Creek, the primary drainage of the area.

  Wilderness Environment

  The wilderness holds an array of environments, from open grasslands, forests, scenic creeks and rocky outcroppings. Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. Redbud and dogwood provide beautiful spring flowers, while smoke tree and maple put on vivid fall colors.

  Brochures and Map

  • A printable brochure (3.2m pdf format) is available for download.
  • Trail System Map (printable) and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.
• Coy Bald Trailhead
• Hercules Tower Trailhead
• Noblett Lake Recreation Area
• Blue Spring Trailhead
• OT - North Fork Section

  Thirteen miles of maintained trails wind along ridgetops and hollows among mixed oak hardwoods and southern pine. There are two trailheads that access the trail. There is parking available at both trailheads. From Blue Hole Trailhead to the northern loop of the North Fork loop, the Ridge Runner and Ozark Trails run concurrently.

• Piney Creek Wilderness

  The United States Congress designated the Piney Creek Wilderness in 1980 and it now has a total of 8,178 acres. This wilderness is nestled on the west side of Table Rock Lake.

  Wilderness Area History

  Railroad companies were the principal loggers in this area in the late 1800’s, followed by settlers on the ridges who happily discovered that tomatoes and strawberries grew large and juicy here. Nonetheless, in the early 1950’s residents abandoned the last permanent households in the vicinity of Piney Creek.

  Terrain and Topography

  The ridgetops rise 400 or more feet above hollows and drainages that dissect the area. Numerous small springs feed several waterways, but the main stream is Piney Creek which drains to scenic Table Rock Lake in the heart of the Wilderness. All five miles of the Piney Creek watershed lie within the Wilderness.

  Trails

  There are 12.1 miles of trail.

  Wilderness Environment

  Shortleaf pine, oak, and hickory dominate the ridges today, and along the drainages you’ll find hardwoods such as sycamore, ash, elm buckeye, and walnut. Wildlife species are typical of the Ozarks, and armadillos also live here. Copperheads, eastern timber rattlers, and western pygmy rattlers are common. Great blue herons and pileated woodpeckers add to the local color.

  Maps and Brochures

  • A printable brochure (1.1m pdf format) of the Wilderness is available for download. 
  • Trail System Map (printable) and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.
• Pine View Tower Trailhead
• Ridge Runner NRT

  The Ridge Runner Trail, a National Recreation Trail, consists of a 6-mile loop at Noblett Lake, a 6-mile loop near the North Fork Recreation Area, and a 21-mile long segment in between that extends from Noblett Lake in the north to the North Fork Recreation Area in the south.

  From the north you’ll start at Noblett Lake. There is a six-mile loop, comprised of two 3-mile loops. One loop goes around Noblett Lake. There is a cut over trail at the southern part of the lake so you can choose to do either the full 6-miles or just the 3-mile loop around the lake. You will cross a creek when using the cut-over.

  On the southeast portion of the 6-mile loop there’s a juncture to do the 21-mile long trail. After Horton Trailhead you continue to head south. At 4.5 miles you meet up with the North Fork section of the Ozark Trail and the Blue Hole Trailhead.

  Continuing south you’ll head toward Devils Backbone Wilderness and North Fork Recreation Area.

  There are two southern trails that form the second 6-mile loop. One trail goes into North Fork, the other goes into CC Wrangler Camp and Devils Backbone Wilderness.

  From Hay Hollow south into Devils Backbone the trail is both Ridge Runner and Ozark Trail.

  Open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, the Ridge Runner trail leads you through a part of the Missouri Ozarks known for its beauty and limestone karst topography. The landscape varies from gently rolling to very steep terrain with rock outcrops and bluffs. There are a few creek crossings along the trail, no crossings have bridges so you may get your feet wet.

  Vegetation along the trail is diverse and includes oak-hickory, short leaf pine, and bottomland forests. Remnant prairie plants can be seen, a reminder of a time when repeated wildfire burned the Ozarks, allowing fingers of prairie to extend into the woods.

  Maps and Brochures

  A printable brochure (pdf) is available

  Maps:

  • Kiosk Map (pdf)
  • Detailed Trail Map - PDF | Avenza Map

  RIDGE RUNNER TRAIL - Miles from Trailhead to Trailhead

  From	To	Miles
  Noblett Lake	Horton	3.3
  Horton	Blue Hole	5
  Blue Hole	State Highway 14	1.5
  State Highway 14	Hay Hollow	2.5
  Hay Hollow	Steam Mill	6
  Steam Mill	North Fork	3
  		21.3 miles

• Hay Hollow Trailhead
• Noblett Lake Trailhead
• Noblett Trailhead
• Eleven Point/Doniphan Ranger District

  The Eleven Point Ranger District takes its name from the Eleven Point River, designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1968.

  Some unique features of the Eleven Point Ranger District include Greer Spring which is the largest spring on National Forest land and the Scenic Eleven Point River. Floating offers spectacular close-up views of rocky bluffs, springs, vegetation, birds and animals.

  Camping is permitted on gravel bars as well as in one of seven (7) primitive campgrounds accessible only by boat.

  Other recreation opportunities include: hunting, hiking, wildlife watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing and camping.

  The district has four (4) developed campgrounds, seven (7) primitive float camps, over (10) ten undeveloped camping areas located throughout the district, and many other special attractions like rivers and springs.

  If your interest is tubing, tubing is popular at Deer Leap, Float Camp, and Watercress Campgrounds.

  If your interest is in hiking, there is over 122 miles of trail available ranging from ½ mile easy loop trails to several days journey on the Ozark Trail or 18 miles located in the Irish wilderness. 

• Blue Ridge (equestrian)
• OT - Current River Section
• Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River

  The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River was established in 1968 as a 44-mile scenic river, free of impoundments with a largely undeveloped shoreline and watershed. This portion of the river between Thomasville, Missouri and the Highway 142 bridge is near Gatewood, Missouri. It became one of the 8 initial units of the National Wild and Scenic River system in 1968.

  The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. Its course is cut in the shadows of steep bluffs, through sloping forested valleys, and low-lying riparian ecosystems. Barely more than a small stream at its upper reaches near Thomasville, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.

  Springs pouring from dolomite bluffs or rushing up from a vast network of underground flow systems provide a continuous source of water and beauty. Alternating stretches of rapids and deep clear pools wind around moss covered boulders and shading bottomland hardwood trees.

  Greer Spring is the world's 10th biggest spring and doubles the size of the river while turning it into a cold water fishery.

  Access to the River: There are currently eleven designated access points to the river by vehicle. Of these access points, 7 sites have amenities. The remaining 4 access sites have no amenities. In addition, there are 7 float camps designated on the river to provide overnight camping for river users, most of these are only accessible by boat.

  Boating on the River: The river has been designated for both motorized and non-motorized use. The motorized users must adhere to a 25 horsepower limit.

  Fishing: There are opportunities aplenty for small mouth bass and pan fish. Special regulations apply. Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website for more information. Trout fishing starts at the confluence of the Greer spring branch and the river. This is the beginning of the blue ribbon trout section which extends about 6 miles to Turner Mill spring. More detailed information is available below under Fishing.

  For Steam Flow and Flooding forecast.

  A printable Brochure is available.

   

  

• Barn Hollow Float Camp
• Boze Mill Float Camp
• Cane Bluff River Access
• Greenbriar Float Camp
• Horseshoe Bend Float Camp
• Morgan Spring Float Camp
• Stinking Pond Float Camp
• Thomasville River Access
• Turner Mill South River Access
• Whites Creek Float Camp
• Whitten River Access
• Fourche Lake Recreation Area
• Irish Wilderness

  The 16,277-acre Irish Wilderness is a dense forest of oaks and hickory that was designated in 1984. Here you'll find sinkholes, disappearing streams that reappear downstream, and Whites Creek Cave, (please note that Whites Creek Cave is closed to the public).

  Wilderness Area History

  In the mid 1800’s a Catholic priest dreamed of a place where Irish immigrants could escape the oppression of urban life in St. Louis. In this wild area of the Ozarks, Father Hogan established a settlement that would forever bear their name, Irish Wilderness. The Irish Wilderness, caught in the middle of the Civil War, became a “no man’s land” and was raided by both Union and Confederate troops as well as bushwhackers (highwaymen). It is not certain what happened to Father Hogan’s Irish immigrants, but after the war they were gone.

  After the Civil War the area was logged, farmed and grazed until it couldn’t support vegetation before being abandoned. The land was purchased by the USDA Forest Service when the Mark Twain was created. During the 1930’s it was replanted by the CCC.

  Terrain and Topography

  This area has karst topography, with many sinkholes, caves, sinks and seeps. Terrain ranges from about 1,100 feet to a little over 2,000 feet across the wilderness. Located within the wilderness are Fiddler and Bliss Springs, off the Whites Creek Trail. There are short spur trails that lead to each of them.

  The area is generally rolling hills with steeper bluffs located near the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River. Whites Creek flows through the wilderness and flows year-round and flows into the Eleven Point River.

  Trails

  The major way of travel within the Irish Wilderness is the 18.6 mile Whites Creek Trail.

  Wilderness Environment

  Visitors may see snakes, bear, deer and other typical Ozark wildlife. This area is known for having a high concentration of bear. Please ensure that when visiting you are being Bear Aware.

  As you hike through these wilds, you may encounter typical Ozark wildlife: deer, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, fox, bobcat, coyote, turkey, vulture, hawk, and owl. Watch your step lest you disturb a sleeping copperhead, rattlesnake, or eastern cottonmouth.

  Within the wilderness you will see a variety of trees, including oak, hickory, shortleaf pine, dogwood, persimmon, and sassafras.

  Maps and Brochures

  • A printable brochure is available for download
  • Trail System Map (printable)and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.
• Whites Creek Trl

  The Whites Creek Trail is a 18.6 mile trail within the Irish Wilderness. Trails within the wilderness are not signed or marked, except at junctions.

  The major trailhead into the Wilderness is Camp Five Pond located off Highway J.

  Visitors are exposed to a wide variety of natural terrain. The trail starts out relatively flat and traverses through many ecological zones including dried creek beds, grasslands, glades, bluff country, and breathtaking views overlooking the Eleven Point River.

  This trail can be moderately challenging and advanced hikers will enjoy hiking this trail through the wilderness. Whites Creek Trail is also a popular destination for equestrian use.

  There are three short spur trails from the main trail at Fiddler Spring, Whites Creek Float Camp, and Bliss Spring. There is also trail access at Brawley Pond Trailhead.

• Lazy C
• OT - Between the Rivers Section

  The Between the Rivers Section of the Ozark Trail provides the necessary connection between the Current and Eleven Point Rivers. In addition to traversing impressive stands of white oak, shortleaf pine, and scarlet oak, the trail offers pleasant views of the surrounding countryside. Look into the past when nearing Bristol Cemetery or explore the lichen covered boulder field at Devil's Run.

  From Highway 60, the trail leads generally south for the first 13 miles winding through numerous small tributaries that feed the Current River, including Wildhorse Hollow, Chilton Creek, Devil's Run, and Big Barren Creek. From Big Barren Creek, the trail heads west along the north prong of Cedar Bluff Creek. The trail climbs gently out of Cedar Bluff Creek drainage and crosses a major ridge that divides the Current River watershed and the Eleven Point River watershed.

  The last eight and one-half mile of trail proceed generally southwest following Gold Mine Hollow, the ridge above Kelly Hollow, and Fox Hollow before ending on Forest Service Road 3152 above Hurricane Creek.

  There are three trailheads on this section. Highway 60 - approximately 3.5 miles west of Van Buren. From that point, the trail leads southwest to Forest Service Road #3152 near Hurricane Creek in Oregon County. Trail head parking is provided at Hwy 60 and at Sinking Creek Lookout Tower approximately 1 mile west of Hwy J. Limited roadside parking is possible at the southern end of the trail on FS #3152.

• Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District

  The Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek District covers about 207,000 acres in seven counties in south/central Missouri. The oak/hickory and pine forests intermixed with tallgrass prairie lands in the north provide opportunities for hunting, wildlife watching, wildflower viewing, hiking, dispersed camping and other uses.

  The district is rich with rivers and streams: the beautiful bluffs of the Big Piney River, the Gasconade River and the Little Piney River in the south and central portions of the district and the Cedar Creek at the north end. Fishing and canoeing opportunities abound, including several river access points on the Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers. Smaller creeks such as Mill Creek and Spring Creek, supplied by springs, provide other fishing or water-based recreational opportunities, including trout fishing. Paddy Creek Wilderness with the 18-mile Big Piney Trail provides solitude for horseback riders and hikers. A total of over 80 miles of trails, including the Kaintuck, Cole Creek and Cedar Creek trails, provide multi-use trails open to mountain bikes, horses, overnight backpacking, and hikers and allow scenic views of rock outcrops and stream drainages. Other shorter trails provide hikes at the campgrounds. Four developed campgrounds provide picnic and camping sites, some with electric hook-ups. Other trailheads provide dispersed camping with ample parking for horse trailers and other users.

• Big Piney
• Big Piney River

  This is a great, family-friendly river for those looking for a leisurely trip with beautiful scenery. The river is fed by numerous springs and is usually floatable year-round, unless it’s been particularly dry. You will be able to view limestone bluffs topped with pine trees.

  The stretches between accesses are longer in this section for visitors looking for a nice, long trip down the river.

  The Big Piney River offers 21 miles of water to enjoy floating, fishing and swimming. There are several river accesses on National Forest lands and others on the Missouri Department of Conservation.

  The first Forest Service access on the river is 39 miles from where you can start floating the river, there are multiple accesses between the start and Slabtown.

  As you travel downriver from Slabtown the river is narrow and shallower, with multiple riffles. After Ross Bridge the river begins to get wider and deeper.

• Slabtown Recreation Area
• Big Piney equestrian camp
• Cedar Creek Trl System

  Cedar Creek Trail is a 36-mile trail that goes throughout the western half of the Cedar Creek Area. The trail traverses between oak hickory forests and tall grass prairie lands. The trail consists of four main sections. The trail winds on the county roads, users should beware of mixed use of vehicles and hikers.

  The Southern Loop is 22-miles marked with gray diamonds. 2/3s of this trail are pasture or county roads. This loop you will be crossing Cedar Creek on the Barnett School Road Bridge. Users will cross Y Highway as they weave in and out of the Baskett Wildlife Research Area (University of Missouri). This loop connects to the Smith Creek Loop at Rutherford Bridge. It connects to Moon Loop at the far north end of the trail. It connects at Y Highway, to the east, with the Pine Ridge Section.

  The Smith Creek Loop traverses 5-miles between Boydsville and Rutherford Bridge. This section is marked with orange diamonds. There are amazing vistas of the Cedar Creek from bluffs above. A section of the trail crosses Smith Creek, there is no bridge at the crossing. The loop connects into the Southern Loop and can go up to the Moon Loop on the west side. Or, you can go south and connect in to the Pine Ridge section and connect into the Southern Loop.

  The Pine Ridge Section is 2.8 miles and passes through Pine Ridge Recreation Area . It connects from Y Highway on the east side of the Southern Loop up to Smith Creek Loop. You can start this section at Pine Ridge Recreation Area and hike to Dry Fork Campground. From Y highway to southern loop connection the trail is a Y shape, one segment goes into the campground and is foot traffic only, the other segment is open to horses. Please reference the map. This section is marked with grey diamonds.

  The Moon Loop portion is approximately 6.2-miles in length and is named for the moon-like appearance of the area caused by soil erosion in the 1930s. The area has since been restored. This loop boasts beautiful wildflowers, much of it crosses pasture and travels along gravel roads. It is located near Columbia and can be pretty busy on a nice weekend. This section is marked with yellow diamonds. There are two stream crossings going over the Big Branch Creek, there are no bridges. It is relatively flat.

  Maps and Brochures

  A printable brochure is available for download.

• Kaintuck Hollow

  Kaintuck Hollow Trail is located just south of the Mill Creek Recreation Area.  The trail offers a total of 16 miles of looping trails leading you through an oak forest, interspersed with hickory, cedar, dogwood, and pine plantations for great nature viewing.  Kaintuck Hollow Trail offers multiple segmented routes ranging from one to fifteen miles stretches passing such features as a natural bridge, unusual rock formations, and Dewitt Pond. The Kaintuck Trail is available for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian use.  Visitors can enjoy Wilkins Spring, which provides an average daily flow of 3 million gallons of water feeding a small rise pool and two acre lake and taste water from an artesian well at Mill Creek Recreation Area. A printable brochure is available.

• Paddy Creek Wilderness

  Wilderness recreation is a unique experience that requires special skills and techniques, such as no-trace camping, to ensure that the character of the land truly remains wild. Emphasis in a wilderness area is on the primitive. Signing and trail marking will be minimal; developed campsites, footbridges, and garbage collection are non-existent. A wilderness is a special area set aside by Congress which “generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable…” Before you start, be prepared with adequate supplies; water sources with the wilderness are not recommended for drinking, and must be purified if used. Group size is limited to 10 persons.

  This 7035-acre wilderness is located in northwestern Texas County. In the early 1800’s Sylvester Paddy began the first logging of the area, transporting timber from this area by river to St. Louis. Until the 1930’s the area was homesteaded and grazed as open range. It became federally designated wilderness in 1983.

  Big Paddy and Little Paddy Creeks characterize the Paddy Creek Wilderness with steep cliffs and rock outcrops along the drainages. These creeks have water in them throughout most of the year. In the Wilderness are a few old fields in drainages but the rest is forested. Black, white, and post oaks, hickories and shortleaf pine are the main trees. Throughout the area, wildlife typical of the Missouri Ozarks is present. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, fox, coyote and bobcat are common.

  Brochures and Maps

  • A printable brochure (pdf format) is available for download. 
  • Trail System Map (printable) and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.

  Trails: There are 18 miles of designated trails within the wilderness. The elevation of the area changes 500 feet between a point near Roby Tower on the western edge of the area, and Paddy Creek as it meets the eastern boundary of the Wilderness. Signs and trail marking are minimal or non-existent and the use of maps and compass is recommended.   Travel is by foot or on horseback; No Motorized or Mechanized vehicles are permitted.  

• Paddy Creek trailhead
• Poplar Bluff Ranger District

  The Poplar Bluff Ranger District has 150,000 acres located at the southeastern edge of the Ozarks, where the forest starts to give way to the Mississippi River lowlands. Poplar Bluff District offers two developed recreation areas, hiking and riding trails, fishing from barrier-free piers, and boating. As well as many other hunting opportunities there are also two walk-in turkey hunting areas providing plenty of sport for the Spring season hunters seeking out that most elusive game bird.

• Beaver Lake Recreation Area
• OT - Wappapello Section

  Almost half of the 35-mile long Wappapello Lake Section of the Ozark Trail is managed by the Mark Twain National Forest – the balance of it is managed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, State Parks and the US Army Corps of Engineers.  Wappapello Lake was created in 1938 with the construction of a rolled earth fill dam to control flooding of the St. Francois River.  The trail’s proximity to water lends itself to an abundance of waterfowl.  A hike of any desired length is feasible o this section due to numerous trail access points, and connector trails.  There are three primary trailheads, Sam A. Baker State Park on the north, Hwy. 172, and Hendrickson Recreation Area on the south end.  Many portions of the trail are prone to flooding, making trail use during wet periods undesirable.  The trail is open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.  A connector trail permits access to Lake Wappapello State Park.

  A gap separates this trail from the Victory Section of the Ozark Trail.

• Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger District

  The 201,582 acres of Potosi Ranger District offer many developed and undeveloped sites for camping and picnicking. Because of the karst topography prevalent in this area, caves with springs that feed the rivers and streams can often be seen. They are currently closed to all visitors to protect bats from contamination by white-nosed-syndrome. Courtois and Huzzah Creeks are well-known "floating" streams, typical of the Ozarks, and much-loved by canoeists who flock there in summertime for the crystal clear water and safe passage. A portion of the Ozark Trail traverses Potosi District, and the segment encompassing the Berryman Trail is popular for mountain biking events. The 9,183 acre Bell Mountain Wilderness has beautiful views and challenging trails in a secluded and primitive setting.

  Council Bluff Recreation Area is the largest lake in the Mark Twain National Forest. Providing a more developed experience, it features a sandy swimming beach, drinking water, restrooms, and many barrier-free facilities on a beautiful 440 acre lake, encircled by a 12 mile moderate hiking and mountain biking trail. Boar Ridge Campground along the spine of a forested Ozark ridge above the lake, offers a unique camping experience.

  The 83,953 acre Fredericktown District features the rugged St. Francois Mountains and St. Francis River. In Spring, the "shut-ins" at Silver Mine are a magnet for kayak enthusiasts, who take advantage of the high water rapids. Marble Creek provides a quiet campground for family outings, and Crane Lake welcomes hikers to take the trail around it as part of their trek along the Ozark Trail. Rockpile Mountain Wilderness offers 4,240 acres of heavily-forested land, including some of the state`s last remaining virgin forest nestled in a narrow gorge.

• Bell Mountain Wilderness

  This is a wonderful place to spend the day hiking!

  This 9,143 acre wilderness is part of the St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest landforms in North America. The wilderness is named for a family that once lived and farmed along the ridge top that is now known as Bell Mountain. Elevations range from 1,702 feet at Bell Mountain to 970 feet in the Joe's Creek drainage. Local relief is about 600 feet and is characterized by steep felsite and rhyolite outcroppings. Both Bell Mountain and Lindsey Mountain offer outstanding views of the surrounding area. The associated granite glades provide a variety of interesting plant and animal life.

  Shut-in Creek crosses the area. It is a perennial spring fed stream with several shut-ins or gorges along its course. Steep talus slopes intersect the stream at several locations. Joe's Creek is another small perennial stream within the wilderness.

  There are approximately 11.9 miles of trails maintained for hikers, including a small segment of the Ozark Trail.

  A Wilderness is a special area set aside by Congress which "generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable?" The area is rugged and is for experienced hikers only. Before you start, be prepared with adequate supplies; water sources within the Wilderness are not recommended for drinking. Groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people, to help protect wilderness values.

  Oak and hickory are the predominate tree species, with some areas of natural oak-pine and some short leaf pine plantations. Upland brush and red cedar make up a small portion of the vegetative component. Blackjack oak, winged elm, hickories, sumac, and native grasses are found on the glades. Lichens abound on the exposed-surface rock. Some areas on Bell Mountain that were cleared in the 1940's now have almost pure stands of Northern Red Oak.

  Bell Mountain Wilderness provides a unique habitat situation not typical of the majority of Missouri's Ozarks. The predominately oak-hickory forest is interspersed with pine and scattered glades resulting in a diversity of plant species more common to old growth forest. This habitat situation favors mature forest species such as pileated woodpeckers, wood thrush and oven birds. Moderate populations of most game species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkeys and squirrels can be found. Visitors have a chance to see a unique environment and combination of plant and animal communities not found in other areas of the Missouri Ozarks.

   

  Brochures with Maps

  • A printable brochure is available for download
  • Trail System Map (printable)and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.
• Brazil Creek Trailhead
• Hazel Creek Campground
• John J. Audubon Trl System (and West TH)

  This is a 12-mile, circular, wilderness trail established as a memorial pilgrimage through the area which the great naturalist/artist visited on his wide-ranging bird collecting trips while living in Ste. Genevieve.

  Download a printable map. A GeoPDF map is available through the Avenza app

• OT - Courtois Creek Section

  This section is the gateway to the Ozarks--starting at Onondaga Cave State Park and winding through the Huzzah State Forest/Conservation Area, opening into the lead district of Missouri and the Mark Twain National Forest, view variegated wildlife, flora, and scenery and end up at Hazel Creek on the south.  This 45-mile long section includes 7.5 miles of state land north of the Narrows Trailhead, crosses private land at the Bass Resort, follows the Berryman Trail from about mile 22 through mile 32, and connects to the Trace Creek Section on the south at the Hazel Creek Trailhead.  It is part of the over 220 mile continuous through-trail.  Use caution after periods of rain as the creek crossings can be hazardous.  This section of trail includes springs, creeks and other water locations, as well as some popular places for trailside camping.

• OT - Marble Creek/Crane Lake section
• OT - Taum Sauk Section

  This section of the Ozark Trail connects the Fredericktown District with the Potosi District traversing two state parks---Johnson Shut-ins and Taum Sauk Mountain---and the Devil's Tollgate and Bell Mountain Wilderness.

• Rockpile Mountain Wilderness

  This 4,238 acre Wilderness takes its name from an ancient circle of granite rock, piled by some earlier man on top of the mountain. It is located in Madison County on the Fredericktown Ranger District, southeast of Bell Mountain and southwest of Fredericktown, Missouri. The area is primarily a broken ridge, having steep rocky slopes running from Little Grass Mountain on the north to the National Forest boundary four miles to the south.

  Brochure and Maps

  • A printable brochure is available for download
  • Trail System Map (printable)and Trail System Map available on the Avenza app.

  Trails: From the trailhead there is a 2 mile section of maintained trail. The rest of the area is accessed by old woods roads or cross-country hiking.

• Rockpile Mountain Trl
• Trace Creek Section of the Ozark Trail
• Salem Ranger District

  The Salem district encompasses approximately 175,000 acres within the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Highlands. The district includes lands located within Crawford, Iron, Dent, Reynolds, and Shannon counties in the south-east central part of the state of Missouri. The Ozarks are characterized by deeply dissected hills, karst topography, horizontal bedrock, caves, sink holes, and natural springs. The ecosystem is rich in biological diversity and includes species that are found only in the Ozark Plateau. The main vegetation is upland oak-hickory and oak-pine forest, with bottomland hardwood forest in the floodplains of large rivers.

• OT - Karkaghne Section

  This 25 mile trail section originates at MO Hwy J just east of Oates. It meanders south across the forested watershed for the West Fork of the Black river to the Sutton Bluff campground, and beyond to the Blair Creek section at MO Hwy 32 and P.