Roby Lake
Perfectly located adjacent to the pristine Paddy Creek Wilderness, Roby Lake provides a variety of activities which include a picnic/day use area, two hiking trails, fishing the 5-acre lake for bass, sunfish or catfish, and a good parking area for equestrians.
Only nonmotorized boats are allowed on the lake. There is a gravel, carry down launch for accessing the lake.
This area serves as one of the 3 trailheads for the Big Piney Trail in the Paddy Creek Wilderness.
General Information
Camping
Dispersed camping is allowed along the trail and in the Paddy Creek Wilderness Area. There are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates available.
Paddy Creek Recreation Area - The 18-campsite recreation area is located adjacent to the east boundary of the Paddy Creek Wilderness and serves as one of the 3 trailheads for the Big Piney Trail.
Big Piney Equestrian Camp - This 5-campsite equestrian camp serves as one of the 3 trailheads for the Big Piney Trail.
Safety:
- During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures.
- A good map and compass , along with knowledge of utilizing these, are strongly suggested.
- Be aware 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.
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.
For more safety tips visit the Safety section of the website.
January - December
Day Use Hours:
- 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Lake
- Boats are allowed, no motors are permitted.
- No waterfowl hunting at this lake
Wilderness
- No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail or past designated parking areas.
- Camping is allowed along the trail.
- Camp 100 feet away from trails, other camps, and water sources.
- Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
- Pack out all of your garbage.
- Stock: never tie stock directly to trees.
- Limit your party size to 10 persons
- Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics;
Trailheads
- No overnight camping in day use areas at any time of year.
- Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the day use area
- No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
Permits
- Commercial use will not be permitted.
- Special uses will not be permitted, except for access to surrounded private property.
- No forest recreation permits are needed to access the Big Piney trail.
- Fishing permits are available from Missouri Department of Conservation
No fees are required for this site
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: 37.520145
Longitude: -92.123166
Directions
From Roby, MO
- take Hwy 17 one mile north.
- Turn east/right on Forest Road 274 and travel one mile to the area.
From Licking, MO
- Take 32W approximately 24 miles to Lake Lane.
- Turn right onto Lake Lane and travel 1 mile to the trailhead parking lot.
Parking
There is a large parking area at the trailhead that can accommodate horse trailers.
- Lake: 15 vehicles,
- Trailhead: five trucks with trailers and five vehicles
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Picnic tables and grills are accessible. The vault at Big Piney Trailhead, just up the road 1000 feet, is also accessible.
Restrooms
No restroom availableWater
Potable water is not available at this site.
Drinking water is not available in Paddy Creek Wilderness, Paddy Creek Recreation Area, Paddy Creek Campground, Big Piney Equestrian Camp, or Roby Lake. Open water sources within the wilderness are not recommended for drinking. Bring your own drinking water or be prepared to boil or treat water chemically.
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
Fishing - Lake & PondFishing - Lake & Pond Info
There are many pockets of logs, trees and other cover materials so use caution.
This lake is stocked every three years, by MDC, with Large Mouth Bass, Bluegill, Chanel Catfish, Crappie
Fish Species - catfish, bass, sunfish and longear, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie
Fishing Mode - canoe, kayak, wading, bank fishing
Fishing Platform - None
Fishing Method - Rod & Reel, fly fishing
Horseback Riding Info
Big Piney Trail - 18-miles
There are 18 miles of designated trails within the wilderness. The elevation of the area changes 500 feet between a point near Roby Tower on the western edge of the area, and Paddy Creek as it meets the eastern boundary of the Wilderness. Signs and trail marking are minimal or non-existent and the use of maps and compass is recommended. Travel is by foot or on horseback
Backpacking Info
Big Piney Trail - 18-miles
There are 18 miles of designated trails within the wilderness. The elevation of the area changes 500 feet between a point near Roby Tower on the western edge of the area, and Paddy Creek as it meets the eastern boundary of the Wilderness. Signs and trail marking are minimal or non-existent and the use of maps and compass is recommended. Travel is by foot or on horseback
Day Hikes Info
Big Piney Trail - 18-miles
There are 18 miles of designated trails within the wilderness. The elevation of the area changes 500 feet between a point near Roby Tower on the western edge of the area, and Paddy Creek as it meets the eastern boundary of the Wilderness. Signs and trail marking are minimal or non-existent and the use of maps and compass is recommended. Travel is by foot or on horseback
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
This 5-acre lake has a gravel, carry-down launch suitable for small boats only.
Size Restrictions - None
Type of Craft - canoe, kayak
Picnicking - Single Info
There are picnic tables, each with a pedestal grill and vault toilet
No. of Sites - 6 single sites
Recreation Groups
This 7,035-acre wilderness is located in northwestern Texas County 35 miles southwest of Rolla, Missouri, and 16 miles west of Licking, Missouri.
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: