Ava, Cassville, and Willow Springs Areas
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.
Active Alerts
General Information
Fees Are Charged At:
Day Use Fee - per vehicle per day
- Blue Spring Trail
- Chadwick Trail - permit needed
- Noblett Lake Recreation Area - pavilion only
- North Fork Recreation Area
- Shell Knob - pavilion only
Camping Fees
- Cobb Ridge Recreation Area
- North Fork Recreation Area
Reservations Needed At
- Cobb Ridge Recreation Area - camping
- Noblett Lake Recreation Area - picnic pavilion
- Shell Knob - picnic pavilion
Passes & Permits
Trails
- No permits are needed to access nonmotorized trails
- A Riding permit required for Chadwick Trails.
Wilderness Areas
- No permits are needed to access Wilderness Areas
- Commercial use will not be permitted.
- Special uses will not be permitted, except for access to surrounded private property.
Hunting and Fishing
- Hunting and/or Fishing permits are available from Missouri Department of Conservation
Day Use Fees
Day use fees can be paid on-site using the provided fee tubes.
- At the site, fees must be paid using cash or check, no credit card machines are available at any sites.
- Annual and Lifetime passes can be purchased in advance to cover day use fees at USDA Forest Service operated sites.
Camping Discount
- There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an Interagency Access or Senior Pass.
- The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.
Rentals & Guides
Livery and guide services are offered in this area, under special use permit, for:
- Horseback Riding
- Canoeing/Paddling
- North Fork of the White River
For specific guide information visit the river or activity page.
Complexes
The Bateman Trail, a non-motorized trail system, consists of approximately 16 miles of trail. This hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trail, leads you through limestone glades that can be seen throughout the trail system. Landscapes vary from gently rolling hills to moderately steep terrain with rock outcrops and tall grass prairies.
- Rating: Moderate. Terrain is sometimes steep
- Length: 16 miles
- Best Seasons: Fall, winter, and spring
- Surface Type: Unsurfaced, native material
- Trailheads: Bateman Trailhead, FS 150 Trailhead, Willie Lee/Wolf Junction
Camping
Dispersed camping is allowed along the trail. There are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates available.
Dispersed camping is allowed at Willie Lee, please note there are no fire rings or tables available.
The Bateman Trail, a non-motorized trail system, consists of approximately 16 miles of trail.
This is a trailhead for the Bateman Trail. From this trailhead you can access the Bottoms Corner Connector and Corral section of the trail.
This is a small trailhead with a bulletin board at the northern end of the Bateman Trail. This trailhead gives access to the Bottoms section of the trail.
The Willie Lee Homestead is the easternmost trailhead to the Bateman trail system and serves as a starting point for trails that traverse through glades, parallel a stream,
This stop combines Wolf Junction and Willie Lee recreation sites.
Bateman Trail
Recreation Sites
Bar-K Wrangler Camp
Bateman Road Trailhead
Bateman Trail
Big Bay Recreation Area
Blair Ridge Trailhead
Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway
Blue Hole Trailhead
Blue Spring Trailhead
Camp Ridge Trailhead
Cobb Ridge Recreation Area