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Berryman Campground
This small, remote campground and picnic area located at the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp of 1937 provides a quiet setting for escaping from your normal routine. With just 8 individual campsites and a picnic shelter, it is enjoyed by campers, picnickers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers.
The Berryman Trail leaves from this recreation area, and traverses 24 miles of scenic Ozark countryside and winding through timbered stands and fields. The hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding offer one a pleasant measure of solitude and quiet.
The western section of the trail also serves as part of the Courtois Section of the Ozark Trail.
Brochure and Maps
Printable brochure of the recreation area. GeoPDF map available through the Avenza app.
History of the Berryman CCC Camp
The Berryman CCC Camp, also known as Lost Creek, was home to the 3733rd Company and was designated Camp Number F-MO-13.
The camp’s initial construction began on May 29, 1935, under the command of Lieutenant Charles C. Isely. Twelve men were selected from Company 732 at Boss, Missouri to be the first enrollees of the 3733rd Company and were to be in charge of the cooking, road work, and other work that required special training.
The early camp conditions were described by Robert Fechner, author of What the CCC Is and Does: Company 3733, Berryman, MO, as follows: “The men lived in one of the uncompleted buildings for two weeks, cooking and eating in the open, and in all enduring hardships that in the light of the present conditions, seem unreal.” The initial camp enrollees were tasked with “lifting the camp out of the mud and brush” (Direct Advertising Company 1937:146). Presumably this colorful language meant that the camp location was cleared of brush, trees, and other vegetation and the landforms leveled so that construction of buildings could begin.
By July 5, 1935, George E. Maness, Relief Director for Washington County, directed that a total of 41 men and seven alternates between the ages of 18 and 28 on the county relief rolls were to be sent to the Berryman CCC Camp. A total of 176 recruits arrived on July 5, 1935, to begin the construction of the camp. Frank D. Crawford was assigned by the Forest Service to be Project Superintendent and he arrived at the camp on July 9, 1935. The forestry office was temporarily housed in the Camp Headquarters Building until the completion of the Forestry Building in November 1935. The initial camp projects completed were the construction of the camp road and the establishment of a telephone line into the camp.
Between 1935 and 1937, the Berryman (Lost Creek) CCC Camp had “built over 50 miles of forest road, erected five steel fire lookout towers, built more than 40 miles of telephone line, planted approximately 320,000 pine trees, 280,000 black walnut trees and cleaned up several hundred acres of standing timber” (Direct Advertising Company 1937:147).
In June of 1938, an open house for the general public was held at the Berryman (Lost Creek) CCC Camp, at which over 5,000 people attended.
By 1942 and the participation of the United States in World War II, all activities of the CCC were discontinued. It is likely that most of the buildings, supplies, and materials from the Berryman (Lost Creek) CCC Camp were removed and put to other uses. A series of foundation remnants remain in the site area, which currently serves as a trailhead and campground.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Quiet Hours: 10 pm - 6 am at campground |
|---|---|
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking |
| Fees: | Day Use
|
| Open Season: | January - December |
| Usage: | Light |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | Potosi, Steelville |
| Water: | No drinking water; stock water nearby |
| Restroom: | Vault |
| Operated By: | USDA Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District Email | Phone and Address |
General Information
Directions:From St. Louis
- Take Highway 21 south 60 miles to Potosi
- then, turn right/west onto Highway 8 and travel 16 miles to FR 2266
- follow FR2266 to the Berryman Campground
Accessibility:
- sidewalks connecting some sites to restroom and picnic pavilion.
- some picnic tables are wheelchair accessible
Activities
Mountain Biking
Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:Destination mountain biking opportunity, popular among mountain bikers across the region.
The 24-mile loop Berryman Trail traverses scenic Ozark countryside, winding through timbered stands of oak, pine and bottomland hardwood, climbing switchback fashion from low bottoms to high cherty (flint-like rock) ridges. Interesting flora and fauna abound in the old fields, glade-like rock outcroppings and deep forest.
There are a lot of elevation changes and side-hills on this trail, but is still a moderate trail overall.
The western half of this trail also serves as part of the Courtois Section of the Ozark Trail, and can be used as part of a multi-day thru-hike, or a longer point-to-point trip. The Brazil Creek Trailhead also offers access to this trail system.
Be sure to yield to other users. Be prepared for wet feet – stream crossings are not bridged.
The Berryman trail is marked with the Ozark Trail blazes, which are white rectangles that will be about six feet up on trees. All intersections where trails meet are signed.
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:This is the site of a 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp of the same name. You'll find 8 campsites, each with table, lantern post and fire ring. Centralized vault toilet, but no drinking water.
| No. of Sites | Single sites: 8 |
| Fire Information | Campfires must be in designated fire rings. |
RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:There are no hookups available at this location.
Each site has a picnic table, lantern post and fire ring.
There is a centralized vault toilet, but no drinking water.
| No. of Sites | Single sites: 8 |
| Vehicle Clearence | No restrictions |
| Size Restrictions | No longer than 21 feet. |
| Pavement Type of Parking | Paved |
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:The 24-mile loop Berryman Trail traverses scenic Ozark countryside, winding through timbered stands of oak, pine and bottomland hardwood, climbing switchback fashion from low bottoms to high cherty (flint-like rock) ridges. Interesting flora and fauna abound in the old fields, glade-like rock outcroppings and deep forest.
There are a lot of elevation changes and side-hills on this trail, but is still a moderate trail overall.
The western half of this trail also serves as part of the Courtois Section of the Ozark Trail, and can be used as part of a multi-day thru-hike, or a longer point-to-point trip. The Brazil Creek Trailhead also offers access to this trail system.
Be sure to yield to other users. Be prepared for wet feet – stream crossings are not bridged.
The Berryman trail is marked with the Ozark Trail blazes, which are white rectangles that will be about six feet up on trees. All intersections where trails meet are signed.
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:The 24-mile loop Berryman Trail traverses scenic Ozark countryside, winding through timbered stands of oak, pine and bottomland hardwood, climbing switchback fashion from low bottoms to high cherty (flint-like rock) ridges. Interesting flora and fauna abound in the old fields, glade-like rock outcroppings and deep forest.
There are a lot of elevation changes and side-hills on this trail, but is still a moderate trail overall.
The western half of this trail also serves as part of the Courtois Section of the Ozark Trail, and can be used as part of a multi-day thru-hike, or a longer point-to-point trip. The Brazil Creek Trailhead also offers access to this trail system.
Be sure to yield to other users. Be prepared for wet feet – stream crossings are not bridged.
The Berryman trail is marked with the Ozark Trail blazes, which are white rectangles that will be about six feet up on trees. All intersections where trails meet are signed.
Horse Camping
Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:If you are camping and have horses they will need to stay outside of the campsites tied up at the tie-ups.
You will need to bring water for your horses.
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:The 24-mile loop Berryman Trail traverses scenic Ozark countryside, winding through timbered stands of oak, pine and bottomland hardwood, climbing switchback fashion from low bottoms to high cherty (flint-like rock) ridges. Interesting flora and fauna abound in the old fields, glade-like rock outcroppings and deep forest.
There are a lot of elevation changes and side-hills on this trail, but is still a moderate trail overall.
The western half of this trail also serves as part of the Courtois Section of the Ozark Trail, and can be used as part of a multi-day thru-hike, or a longer point-to-point trip. The Brazil Creek Trailhead also offers access to this trail system and additional trailer parking.
Be sure to yield to other users. Be prepared for wet feet – stream crossings are not bridged.
The Berryman trail is marked with the Ozark Trail blazes, which are white rectangles that will be about six feet up on trees. All intersections where trails meet are signed.
Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:Each picnic site has a grill.
You will need to bring your own water and there is no trash service available. Please pack out anything you bring with you.
| No. of Sites | 3 picnic sites and a pavilion. |
| No. of Accessible Sites | The pavilion is accessible |
Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:A open-sided picnic pavilion provides shelter from sun and rain for groups of up to 30. It is available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.
There are grills available in the picnic area near the pavilion. You will need to bring your own water. There is no trash service available. Please pack out anything you bring with you.
| No. of Accessible Sites | The pavilion and tables are accessible. |
Amenities
| Camping trailer: | |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | |
| Tent camping: | |
| Parking: | Trailhead - 15 |
| Toilets: | |
| Accessible: | some picnic tables, sidewalks |
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