Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway

Travel on this 28-mile drive, which combines 20 miles of paved highway and a nice 8-mile section of national forest scenic byway on maintained gravel-road. 

Most of the route is along wooded hills and valleys, which are covered with mixed hardwoods, intermingled with eastern red cedar and pine stands.  Vistas provide the opportunity to view distant landscapes.  Two areas provide spots to rest and picnic—Onyx picnic area and Sugar Camp Tower.

This pleasant, winding route is a lovely excursion, and a favorite section is the 8 mile stretch of gravel road that takes you deeper and deeper into the woods with every turn.  Look for a Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway sign pointing out the turn to this portion of the byway on Highway 112, shortly after passing through Roaring River State Park.  The gravel section of the road traverses hills, valleys, and forests that turn marvel-inducing shades in the fall.

Among the varied trees are sugar maples, which settlers used to tap for their sap (maple syrup) in years gone by. 

Shortly after joining Forest Road 197, take a right at Forest Road 1004 to see Sugar Camp Fire Tower, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s.  About 1.5 miles later pull of at the small Onyx Observation Area and take in the sights and sounds of nature.  The gravel road eventually returns to civilization where it meets Highway 86 near Table Rock Lake.  The remainder of the route winds through more swaths of forest before returning you to the Cassville area.