Lane Spring Recreation Area
Lane Spring Recreation Area is situated along Little Piney Creek in a beautiful hardwood area. Its location and beautiful surroundings make it a popular destination for weddings, family reunions, fishing, camping, nature observation and hiking. While you have the peace, quiet and tranquility of a creekside campground, the audible noise of Highway 63 can sometimes be heard in the distance.
An accessible stone patio, shaded by trees, overlooks tranquil Lane Spring, a bubbling spring with watercress and native plant species. It is bordered by a variety of trees, including sycamore, cypress, oak and many others.
Little Piney Creek parallels the entire recreation area and is a Blue-Ribbon Wild Trout stream offering opportunities to reel in Rainbow Trout as well as Bass and Sunfish.
The 1.25-mile Blossom Rock Trail and the 1.5-mile Cedar Bluff Trail traverse through lush bottomland vegetation with abundant wildflowers, before climbing to views of the river and rock outcroppings. Birding and wildlife viewing is popular along the trails.
The recreation area offers a picnic area and individual picnic sites, as well as camping, including several waterfront campsites.
During the off season limited parking is available for day use by the gate.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereCampsites are first come, first served.
Reservation needed for the group picnic pavilion -
- The pavilion is first come, first served if it's not already reserved.
- Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance of visit.
- Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance of visit.
General Information
Camping
Most of the sites are traditional back-in sites; two sites are a pull-through site. Each site has a table, lantern post and a fire ring. The vault toilets are accessible and water spigot are centrally located. There is garbage collection on site.
Six of the nonelectric sites are next to the Little Piney Creek, sites 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 16.
Electrical hookups available at this location at 6 sites. No water or sewer hookups available.
Most of the sites are traditional back-in sites; two sites are a pull-through site. Each site has a table, lantern post and a fire ring. The vault toilets are accessible and water spigot are centrally located. There is garbage collection on site.
Number of Sites
- Single
- Electric: 6 sites - sites 1 through 5, and site 7
- Nonelectric: 11 sites
- Sites 4 and 13 are pull-through sites
- Double
- 4 sites:
- Loop A: Site 15
- Loop B: Sites 19 through 21
- 4 sites:
Size Restrictions - Can accommodate up to 34' RVs.
Vehicle Clearance - No restrictions
Pavement Type of Parking - Asphalt
Campground
Open April 1 - October 31, 2026
Day Use Area
Open March 1 - October 31, 2026
Campground
- Open 24 Hours a day to campers.
- Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM
Day Use Hours:
- 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
When visiting, please remember:
- Campers required to check-in with on-site host upon arrival and to pick up fee envelope if the site was not reserved online.
- Campground: Fees will be paid at the fee tube provided.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas.
- No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites (16 for double sites).
- Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the campground.
- Only collect dead and downed wood for campfires.
Groups Over 100 People
- A special use permit is needed for groups over 100.
Day Use Fees
Day Use Fees can be paid on-site using the provided fee tubes.
- Fees must be paid using cash or check, no credit card machines are available at any sites.
- Annual and Lifetime passes can be purchased 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.
Overnight Use:
Single Site: $15 per night
Single Site with electric hook-up: $25 per night
Double Site: $30 per night
Additional Vehicle Fee: $2 per vehicle per night
Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
Commercial Vehicle (Bus): $10 vehicle per day
Group Site: $50 per day (up to 100 people)
$40 per annual
Additional fees will be collected at the campground for extra vehicles and for parking in the day-use area.
Trail Use
Dogs are allowed on hiking trails. Please leash your dog, 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: 108 S. Sam Houston Blvd. Houston, MO 65483
Phone: 417-967-4194
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: 37.796016
Longitude: -91.835922
Directions
From Rolla, MO
- go 12 miles south on Hwy 63;
- turn right/west onto Forest Road 1892 (marked by entrance sign).
- Follow this road 1.5 miles to recreation area where the road dead ends.
Parking
Day Use: multiple parking lots that can fit 75 vehicles total
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Toilets and campsites are accessible.
Restrooms
Vault toilet(s)Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
at each site and in day use area
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single Info
Seven individual accessible picnic sites are dispersed throughout the large open picnic area. Most are in shaded areas, and some are located in small groups. All of the sites have a picnic table and a pedestal grill.
Accessible vault toilets and water fountains/spigots are centrally located within the picnic area.
No. of Sites
7 individual picnic sites
No. of Accessible Sites
The tables are accessible, there is no paved/cement path to the tables.
Picnicking - Groups Info
Two open-sided group picnic pavilions with tables, grills and electrical outlets are popular for hosting family reunions, church picnics and other large gatherings. The Dogwood and Redwood Pavilions are accessible and each accommodate up to 100 persons. Both pavilions are a short walking distance from Little Piney Creek and Lane Spring.
Both pavilions have large open areas near them for frisbee and other outdoor activities.
There are paved sidewalks to the pavilions and Lane Spring.
No. of Sites
Two picnic pavilions that can accommodate up to 100 people each.
No. of Accessible Sites
Both pavilions are accessible.
Fishing - River/StreamFishing - River/Stream Info
Lane Spring feeds Little Piney Creek creating a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream. The stream can be shallow, depending on rainfall. This creek is popular for fishing and on some weekends you may find several fisherman scattered along the creek.
For trout fishing you will need a fishing license and a trout stamp from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Special Designations
Blue Ribbon Trout Management Area
Fishing Mode
wading
Fish Species
Bass, sunfish, and trout; The daily limit is one trout of 18 inches or greater length.
Water Temperature
spring-fed portions: 50 - 60 degrees
Fishing Method
Flyfishing; only artificial lures and flies may be used. Natural, soft plastic and scented baits are prohibited.
Water/Flow Level
shallow in places
Day Hikes Info
Blossom Rock Trail
Blossom Rock Trail is a 1.1 mile trail in the Lane Spring Recreation Area. the trail can be accessed between campsites 16 and 17. It leads up to the Blossom Rock, which is a sandstone formation that appears to "blossom" forth from the surrounding limestone. Views of Little Piney Creek during the late fall and spring is possible.
Cedar Bluff Trail
Cedar Bluff Trail is a 1.5 mile trail in the Lane Spring Recreation Area. It climbs the hillside a rocky cedar glade and view of Little Piney Creek are possible. The trailhead is on the right as you enter the day use area at the bottom of the hill.
Viewing Scenery Info
As you stroll along the paved path from the day use area, there is a short walk to the Little Piney Creek, shaded by sycamore, cypress, oaks and many other trees. The trails traverse through lush bottomland vegetation, where even in the dry season it's still wet, green, and abundant with wildflowers.
Along the way you will pass a crystal clear spring. The spring feeds a pool that is about 25 feet across where you can see the sand shifting through the clear water as the spring feeds into the pool.
Lane Spring is a great place to enjoy the quiet of the woods from the 10 foot by 10 foot rock observation deck. Stop and rest on the wooden bench before heading down the stone steps that lead into the spring. Many visitors enjoy dipping their toes in the shallow, but bracing 60 degree water.
As you continue your walk, just a few feet away from the spring you will find the Little Piney Creek where many enjoy swimming and fishing.
Swimming Info
Wading, tubing and water-play in the Little Piney Creek are popular activities at this recreation area. Visitors can access the creek all along the recreation area.
Swimming
When you walk past the spring on the trail, the trail ends and there is an opening along the bank of the creek where a sandy beach type area is located. Fisherman trails along the creek have other sandy spots were wading is popular. The bed of the creek is mostly rocky.
The area is not managed for swimming: there are no lifeguards, depth or hazard markers, and the water is not tested.
Tubing
Visitors can access the creek on the backside of the campground, between site #16 and Blossom Rock Trail, where they can then float downstream to where Lane Spring enters the creek to take out.
Recreation Groups
The areas listed below are not only easy to get to, but most are known locations for good birding.
These sites were selected because they have: