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Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
The Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek District covers about 207,000 acres in seven counties in south/central Missouri. The oak/hickory and pine forests intermixed with tallgrass prairie lands in the north provide opportunities for hunting, wildlife watching, wildflower viewing, hiking, dispersed camping and other uses.
The district is rich with rivers and streams: the beautiful bluffs of the Big Piney River, the Gasconade River and the Little Piney River in the south and central portions of the district and the Cedar Creek at the north end. Fishing and canoeing opportunities abound, including several river access points on the Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers. Smaller creeks such as Mill Creek and Spring Creek, supplied by springs, provide other fishing or water-based recreational opportunities, including trout fishing. Paddy Creek Wilderness with the 18-mile Big Piney Trail provides solitude for horseback riders and hikers. A total of over 80 miles of trails, including the Kaintuck, Cole Creek and Cedar Creek trails, provide multi-use trails open to mountain bikes, horses, overnight backpacking, and hikers and allow scenic views of rock outcrops and stream drainages. Other shorter trails provide hikes at the campgrounds. Four developed campgrounds provide picnic and camping sites, some with electric hook-ups. Other trailheads provide dispersed camping with ample parking for horse trailers and other users.
At a Glance
| Information Center: | Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District Email | Phone and Address |
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Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
- Dry Fork Recreation Area
- Lane Spring Recreation Area
- Paddy Creek Recreation Area
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
- Dry Fork Recreation Area
- Lane Spring Recreation Area
- Paddy Creek Recreation Area
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Dispersed Camping
Dispersed Camping areas have few, if any, amenities or other facilities. Primitive Camping is allowed throughout the forest except in day use areas, administrative sites, within 100' of springs, stream, caves and other natural features or archeological sites, or where otherwise prohibited. Follow Leave No Trace principles and protect the forest resources.
Firewood - We request that visitors not bring firewood with them from outside the state. This restriction has been put in place to avoid infestation by damaging non-native pests, such as the emerald ash borer. Firewood is readily available at most campgrounds and visitors are encouraged to gather or purchase it on arrival. If firewood is brought in from another state, it should all be burned and not left behind on departure. For additional information, please visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
- Big Piney
- Big Piney River
- Slabtown Recreation Area
- Big Piney equestrian camp
- Cedar Creek Trl System
- Boydsville North Trailhead
- Moon Loop Trailhead (On Barnes Chapel Rd.)
- Moon Loop Trailhead (on Ginn Rd.)
- Paris Chapel Trailhead
- Cole Creek
- Kaintuck Hollow
- Kaintuck Hollow natural bridge trailhead
- Kaintuck Hollow southeast trailhead
- Lane Spring Recreation Area
- Blossom Rock trailhead
- Cedar Bluff trailhead
- Mill Creek Recreation Area
- Paddy Creek Wilderness
- Paddy Creek trailhead
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
- Roby Lake
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Horse Camping
Areas for Horse Camping at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Big Game Hunting
Areas for Big Game Hunting at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Small Game Hunting
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
- Big Piney River
- Slabtown Recreation Area
- Dry Fork Recreation Area
- Lane Spring Recreation Area
- Mill Creek Recreation Area
- Paddy Creek Recreation Area
- Pine Ridge Recreation Area
- Roby Lake
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Boating - Non-Motorized
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
- Big Piney River
- Bookers Bend
- Crossroads Access
- East Gate
- Slabtown Recreation Area
- Dry Branch
- Mayfield Spring
- Roby Lake
Swimming
There are ample opportunity for swimming/wading in less developed or natural swimming holes and beaches across the forest. The Forest Service does not provide lifeguards, post boundaries, test water quality, or measure water depth or current at any of these swimming areas. Any one wishing to swim in them needs to carefully consider the risks involved, and take steps to assure their own protection and that of other members of their party, particularly children. Even commonly used swimming areas may have strong currents during moderate to high waters, or rocks, drop-offs, or other unseen hazards beneath the surface of the water.
USE CAUTION AND SWIM/WADE AT YOUR OWN RISK WHEN YOU ENJOY ANY OF THESE AREAS!
Areas for Swimming at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Tubing
Areas for Tubing at Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District
Quick Links
Highlights
Location
