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
- Noblett Lake Recreation Area - pavilion only
- North Fork Recreation Area
- Blue Spring Trail Trailhead (in North Fork Day Use 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
Permit Needed At
- Chadwick Trail
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
Nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep forested hollows and down long ridge tops. It’s possible to plan a wide variety of full-loop riding without backtracking. All riders will encounter advanced riding challenges.
Off Trail Travel
Off-trail travel is allowed only at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Cobb Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the map.
Trail Details
- Difficulty Rating: mostly moderate
- Length: +/- 80 miles
- Best Seasons: Fall and spring
- Surface Type: Segment 113 to H Highway has paved portions, all other segments and sections are native material
- Average Trail Grade: Varies by segment.
Camping
Trailer and tent camping at Cobb Ridge. Reservations recommended, however some sites are first come, first served.
Nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep forested hollows and down long ridge tops.
This is one of the three trailheads for the Chadwick Motorized Trail System.
Chadwick Trail
This is one of the three trailheads for the Chadwick Motorized Trail System.
Chadwick Trail
This is one of the three trailheads for the Chadwick Motorized Trail System.
Chadwick Trail
Nestled on top of the ridge, in the hills, visitors will be able to experience the Ozark hills while camping and enjoying nature in the surrounding areas.
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.
The Ozark Trail overlaps with the McGarr and Collins Ridge Trailheads for three miles as part of the North Fork Section of the Ozark Trail.
The Blue Spring Trail, within North Fork Recreation Area, connects to the wilderness trails from the day use area.
Devils Backbone Wilderness Area Trails
- Rating Moderate
- Length 13-miles
- Best Seasons Spring and Fall
- Surface Type unsurfaced, native material
- Average Trail Grade 10-12%
- Trail Markers there is limited trail marking
- Elevation 680 feet to 1,020 feet
- Trailheads: McGarr Ridge, Collins Ridge, Racoon Hollow
Camping
North Fork Recreation Area locally known as Hammond Camp adjoins the north edge of the wilderness and provides quality camping and picnic opportunities. There is a designated canoe launch for the North Fork River in this Recreation Area.
Dispersed camping is allowed along the trail. There are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates available.
Visit the land where a steep, narrow, ridge drops away, plunging into deep hollows. Welcome to Devils Backbone Wilderness Area.
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, hi
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing access to the beautiful North Fork of the White River, which has a total of n
McGarr Ridge Trailhead is located on the south side of CC Highway about 4 miles east of Dora, MO. It provides access to the Devil's Backbone Wilderness Area. &nb
This is one of three trailheads that provide access into the Devil's Backbone Wilderness Area. Collins Ridge is located on the south end of the wilderness.
This is one of three trailheads that provide access into the Devil's Backbone Wilderness Area.
This is a trailhead for the Blue Spring Trail within the North Fork Recreation Area and the Devils Backbone Wilderness Area Trails.
This very short walk takes you from North Fork Campground to the beautiful Blue Spring.
Thirteen miles of maintained trails wind along ridgetops and hollows among mixed oak hardwoods and southern pine.
Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail is a 33-mile long trail, with two six-mile loops at either end and a 21-mile section between them.
This is southernmost of the five trailheads for the Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail.
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.
Welcome to Glade Top Trail, a National Forest Scenic Byway in Missouri!
Haden Park is the northern most stop along the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway.
American Smoke Tree (Cotinus obovatus) is found is central Texas, eastern Oklahoma, northwest Arkansas, southwest Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.
As you look out to the south and into Arkansas, the furthest range of mountains lined against the sky are the Boston Mountains. While the view to the Boston Mountains
Watershed Divide is the location where rainwater flows north or south into streams in the glade top area. Everything south of the divide flows into Big Creek.
Located along the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, this day use area is situated on one of the Ozark glades.
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
This is a very small site located on a sharp curve, please be aware of your surroundings and passing traffic if you pull off.
Panorama is a very small pull-off along the Glade Top National Scenic Byway. From here you can see panoramic views of the glades and valley below.
Welcome to McClurg Glade! This is a small pull-off where visitors can view the glades. There is an old trail/road you can walk down to get a closer view of the flowers.
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.
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.
Hercules Tower Trailhead is on the east side of the wilderness and connects you directly with Pees Hollow (loop trail), the Tower Trail and Long Creek.
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.
There are 9 trails within the Wilderness for a total of 32 miles of trail. Some sections of the trails are steep and there are several creek crossings.
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing access to the beautiful North Fork of the White River, which has a total of nine major springs flowing into it.
North Fork Recreation Area serves as trailhead for the 35-mile long Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail and the Blue Spring Trail. You can also access the North Fork section of the Ozark Trail and Devils Backbone Wilderness Area from the Blue Spring Trailhead.
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing access to the beautiful North Fork of the White River, which has a total of n
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing access to the beautiful North Fork of the White River, which has a total of n
This very short walk takes you from North Fork Campground to the beautiful Blue Spring.
This is a trailhead for the Blue Spring Trail within the North Fork Recreation Area and the Devils Backbone Wilderness Area Trails.
Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail is a 33-mile long trail, with two six-mile loops at either end and a 21-mile section between them.
Thirteen miles of maintained trails wind along ridgetops and hollows among mixed oak hardwoods and southern pine.
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, hi
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.
The United States Congress designated the Piney Creek Wilderness in 1980 and it now has a total of 8,178 acres.
Pine View tower is the northern access to the Piney Creek Wilderness.
There are 12.1 miles of wilderness trail in the Piney Creek Wilderness Area. Portions of the trail system utilize old roads.
Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail is a 33-mile long trail, with two six-mile loops at either end and a 21-mile section between them. 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. 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.
For over 7 miles, from the Highway AP Trailhead (Blue Hole Trailhead) to CC Wrangler Trailhead, the trail is both Ozark Trail and Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail. From Highway CC Trailhead, heading south will take you into Devils Backbone Wilderness Area.
- Rating Moderate
- Length 33-miles
- Best Seasons Spring and Fall
- Surface Type unsurfaced, native material
- Average Trail Grade 8-20%
- Trail Markers there is limited trail marking
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
- Hay Hollow Trailhead
- Noblett Lake Trailhead
- Noblett Trailhead
Campground Camping - Trailer and tent camping at North Fork Recreation Area. All sites are first come, first served.
This is southernmost of the five trailheads for the Ridge Runner National Recreation Trail.
This small trailhead is one of five trailheads for the Ridge Runner Trail.
This small trailhead is one of five trailheads for the Ridge Runner Trail.
This small trailhead is one of five trailheads for the Ridge Runner Trail, and one of two trailheads located near Noblett Lake.
This large trailhead is one of five that provides access to Ridge Runner National Recreation trail, and one of two trailheads located at Noblett Lake.
North Fork Recreation Area provides camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, hiking and fishing access to the beautiful North Fork of the White River, which has a total of n
This beautiful recreation area was built in the late 1930s by men employed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It is a popular picnic, boating, and fishing site
Thirteen miles of maintained trails wind along ridgetops and hollows among mixed oak hardwoods and southern pine.
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, hi
Swan Creek is an 8,400-acre area near Chadwick, MO where visitors can hunt, hike, camp, bike, and horseback ride.
Swan Creek is an 8,400-acre area near Chadwick, MO where visitors can hunt, hike, camp, bike, and horseback ride.
The 23-miles of trail meanders through the 8,400 acre Swan Creek Nonmotorized Area.
Bar-K Wrangler Camp is a quiet campground located on the west bank of Swan Creek and serves as a Trailhead for the Swan Creek Trails.
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 Trail
Blue Spring Trailhead
Camp Ridge Trailhead
