Coy Bald Trailhead
This is a small parking area. The road loops around and goes back out to the main road. Within the loop there are several picnic tables and campsites.
Coy Bald Trailhead is the western trailhead for the Hercules-Glades Wilderness trails. It connects you to the Coy Bald and Long Creek Trails. Long Creek Trail connects to the 4-mile Pea's Hollow loop and you can hike north along the hollow bottom, then back along the ridge.
Long Creek Trail crosses the creek several times. From this trail you can access the waterfalls.
Maps
Quadrangle maps for this wilderness are: The wilderness is located on Hilda and Protem NE quadrangle maps. They are available for sale at Forest Service Offices or on the USGS Website.
General Information
The Ozark climate is mild enough to make Wilderness visits feasible throughout the year, as long as visitors bring proper gear. When possible, take advantage of this opportunity and plan your 'visit outside the peak spring and fall use seasons.
Private Property – Hercules Glade Wilderness is surrounded by private property. Please respect the rights and property of private landowners.
Safety Information
Wilderness has inherent dangers, and is a primitive setting where you meet nature on its own terms.
- Bring a map and compass, and first aid kit.
- During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures.
- Be advised of hunting seasons.
- Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.
- Be sure to tell someone your plans,
- don’t hike the wilderness alone and
- carry extra supplies so you are prepared to take care of yourself in case you get lost, injured, or delayed.
- The universal distress signal is three of anything: shots, shouts, smokes, whistles.
- Be prepared to sanitize water for drinking
For more safety tips visit the Safety section of the website.
Camping
Dispersed Camping
There are 3 pull-in sites where you can camp with picnic tables and fire rings.
Protect the solitude; seek out campsites in the Wilderness that are out of sight and sound of trails and other camps. When sharing an area keep a low profile and maintain the solitude.
Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground.
Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.
- Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles
- Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources.
- Treat any water found in the area before consuming it.
- Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
- Pack out all of your garbage.
January - December
Day Use, 6 am to 10pm
Commercial use will not be permitted in the wilderness. Special uses will not be permitted, except for access to surrounded private property.
In the Wilderness
- No camping within 100 feet of an established trail, stream, body of water, cave, rock, shelter, other occupied campsites or other restricted camping areas.
- No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire within 100 feet of an established trail.
- Group size is limited to 10 people
- No possessing or using mechanized or motorized vehicle.
- No riding, hitching, tethering, or hobbling a horse or other saddle or pack animal in violation of posted instructions.
- No hitching or tethering saddle or pack animals directly to live trees.
- No picketing horses or mules within 100 feet of water or trail.
Trailhead
- No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
- Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the trailheads.
- Fireworks are prohibited
No fees are required for this site
Trail Use
Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, as long as they are kept on a leash. Unleashed dogs can pose a danger to your pet, the natural resources of the area, and other forest visitors.
- Leashes must be six feet, or shorter, when in developed recreation sites, including trails within the boundaries (36 CFR 261.16(j)) when they are not inside an enclosed vehicle or tent.
- Yield your leashed dog around other hikers and horses.
- Pack out your dogs waste or bury it 100 feet from water and trails.
Camping
- Keep dogs on a six-foot, or shorter, leash when they are not inside a tent.
- Store dog food in bear-resistant containers and feed your pet away from the campsite.
- Pick up and bag your dog’s waste. Place it in a provided trash receptacle or pack it out.
- Do not leave your dog unattended at any time.
- Do not leave your dog in the vehicle on a hot day.
- Keep your dog in your tent or vehicle at night.
- Ensure that there is ample water available for your pet.
Wildlife
- Do not allow them to interact with wildlife
Address: 1006 S. Jefferson Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-4428
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; District Offices closed 1 - 1:30 for lunch (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 36.68512
Longitude: -92.959679
Directions
From Forsyth, MO
- Travel on Highway 160 east for 9 miles
- Turn left onto Forest Road 566 and travel for approximately 4 miles
Parking
6 vehicles
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Day Hikes Info
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.
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.
Backpacking Info
Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area
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.
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.
Horseback Riding Info
Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area
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.
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.
Picnicking - Single Info
3 picnic tables, no grills are available. There are rock fire rings near each table.
Recreation Groups
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.
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.