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Dry Fork Recreation Area
Dry Fork Recreation Area, a campground and picnic area located at the equestrian trailhead of the 36-mile Cedar Creek Trail. This area, located in central Missouri near Fulton serves recreationists with or without horses. This campground is situated in a quiet mostly oak/cedar forest.
It is comprised of 8 single primitive campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length, each with table, fire ring, and lantern post. Other amenities include drinking water, vault toilets, and hitching rails. There is a picnic area across the road with picnic tables that can accommodate small groups.
A printable brochure is available.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Will have its gates closed for the season on December 1st and services stopped for the winter. The gates and services will start back up next spring on April 15th. If a date falls on a weekend, then the gate will be open the following Monday. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Quiet Hours: 10pm to 6 am |
| Fees: | Camping is $15/Night |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Best Season: | Spring and Fall |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | Fulton, New Bloomfield |
| Water: | Pressurized water system available year round. |
| Restroom: | Vault |
| Operated By: | USDA Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District Email | Phone and Address |
General Information
Directions:From Fulton, MO
- take 54 south to Route H;
- Make right to go west on Route H to Route J;
- make right to go turn north on J to County road 356;
- turn left to go west on County Road 356 to County Road 361;
- turn left to go south for 1 mile.
Activities
Mountain Biking
The 36-mile long Cedar Creek trail is managed for mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking. It consists of:
- Southern Loop cross 22 miles of scenic country with about one-third of this section on gravel and paved county roads. It is marked in grey diamonds.
- Smith Creek Section, between Hwy J and Cedar Creek, about 5 miles from Boydsville to Rutherford Bridge. This scenic route provides glimpses of Cedar Creek from the bluffs above. It is marked in orange diamonds.
- Pine Ridge Section, which passes through Pine Ridge Recreation Area, is open to foot travel and mountain bikes only. This trail is marked with grey diamonds. No horses, please. An alternative trail to the west is provided for horses.
- Moon Loop, about 7 miles in length, offers varying landscapes. The name was given because, at one time, the effects of soil erosion that occurred in the 1930s caused hikers to think of the surface of the moon. It is marked with yellow diamonds.
A printable brochure of the Cedar Creek Trail is available for download .
Campground Camping
This campground is situated in a quiet mostly oak/cedar forest and is comprised of 8 single campsites each with picnic table, fire ring, hitching rail, and lantern post. Sites can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet in length. Sites do not have utility hook-ups. Other amenities include centralized drinking water and vault toilets. There is a picnic area across the road with tables and grills that can accommodate small groups. Fee donations encouraged.
RV Camping
8 sites can accommodate RVs up to 30' in length. No hookups available at this location, but pressurized water system is available. No cabins at this location.
Backpacking
The 36-mile long Cedar Creek trail is managed for mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking. It consists of:
- Southern Loop cross 22 miles of scenic country with about one-third of this section on gravel and paved county roads. It is marked in grey diamonds.
- Smith Creek Section, between Hwy J and Cedar Creek, about 5 miles from Boydsville to Rutherford Bridge. This scenic route provides glimpses of Cedar Creek from the bluffs above. It is marked in orange diamonds.
- Pine Ridge Section, which passes through Pine Ridge Recreation Area, is open to foot travel and mountain bikes only. This trail is marked with grey diamonds. No horses, please. An alternative trail to the west is provided for horses.
- Moon Loop, about 7 miles in length, offers varying landscapes. The name was given because, at one time, the effects of soil erosion that occurred in the 1930s caused hikers to think of the surface of the moon. It is marked with yellow diamonds.
A printable brochure of the Cedar Creek Trail is available for download .
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
|---|
Horse Camping
There are eight single sites and one group site across the road. Sites can accommodate RV’s up to 30 feet, but there are no electric hookups. Hitching posts are at each site for equestrian use. The campground has drinking water and vault toilet.
Horse Riding
The 36-mile long Cedar Creek trail is managed for mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking. It consists of:
- Southern Loop cross 22 miles of scenic country with about one-third of this section on gravel and paved county roads. It is marked in grey diamonds.
- Smith Creek Section, between Hwy J and Cedar Creek, about 5 miles from Boydsville to Rutherford Bridge. This scenic route provides glimpses of Cedar Creek from the bluffs above. It is marked in orange diamonds.
- Pine Ridge Section, which passes through Pine Ridge Recreation Area, is open to foot travel and mountain bikes only. This trail is marked with grey diamonds. No horses, please. An alternative trail to the west is provided for horses.
- Moon Loop, about 7 miles in length, offers varying landscapes. The name was given because, at one time, the effects of soil erosion that occurred in the 1930s caused hikers to think of the surface of the moon. It is marked with yellow diamonds.
A printable brochure of the Cedar Creek Trail is available for download .
Picnicking
There are sites across the road from the camping sites with tables and grills.
Quick Links
Highlights
Location
