Lane Spring Recreation Area

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground 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. 

 

No. 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

RV Camping

Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:

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.

Six of the nonelectric sites are next to the Little Piney Creek, sites 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 16. 

No. 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
Vehicle Clearence	No restrictions
Size Restrictions	Can accommodate up to 34' RVs.
Pavement Type of Parking	Asphalt

River and Stream Fishing

Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:

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 Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

• Blossom Rock trailhead
• Cedar Bluff trailhead

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

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

As you stroll along the paved path from the day use area, theres 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. 

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

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.

Group Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:

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 accomodate up to 100 people each.
No. of Accessible Sites	Both pavilions are accessible.

Swimming

Recreation areas with activity Swimming:

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. 

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

Recreation areas with activity 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.