This area with its beautiful creek, camp and picnic grounds is located between Fredericktown and Arcadia, MO. Marble Creek, rushing 20 miles through the rugged St. Francis Mountains, is named for deposits of attractively colored dolomites which were mined and used in the building trade as “Taum Sauk Marble”. Within the recreation area, you can see the concrete remains of a grist mill dam and building foundation. This dam was the third to be built here and was operated until 1935. This quiet campground and recreation area is the main trailhead for the Marble Creek Section of the Ozark Trail. This 8-mile segment goes to Crane Lake and is open for hiking, equestrian and mountain bike use. Horses are allowed at trailhead, but not within campground or picnic area.
Title:
Old Mill Dam, Marble Creek
Date:
Location:
Marble Creek Recreation Area, Fredericktown RD
Credit:
Joe Walker
Description:
Source:
USDA, Mark Twain NF photo 4-07092004-0002.jpg
Title:
Marble Creek shut-ins
Date:
Location:
Marble Creek Recreation Area, Fredericktown RD
Credit:
Joe Walker
Description:
Source:
USDA, Mark Twain NF photo 4-07092004-0001.jpg
At a Glance
Operational Hours:
Campground & Picnic Area April thru October. Closed from 10:00PM to 6:00AM (Except for Campers). Trailhead parking area open year-round.
Fees
Campgrounds: $10.00 Single and $20.00 Double Sites Day Use: $2.00 per vehicle.
Usage:
Light-Medium
Restrictions:
Firewood Advisory: The emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle, has already killed more than 50 million ash trees in the northern United States. It has now been detected in forests in Missouri, and is in Marble Creek. Restrict movement of all hardwood firewood, the most common way emerald ash borer is spread.
If you purchase or bring firewood into Marble Creek Recreation Area , do not take it out of the park. Once it is brought into Madison County, it is considered quarantined and must not leave the county.
All firewood brought in the park must be burned before you leave. Do not leave it for other campers.
Campground facilities include 25 single sites and 1 double sites, each with table, fire ring and lantern post. Two centrally located vault toilet buildings serve campers and trail users. There is no drinking water, but the campground is adjacent a year-round stream. Trash service available April - October. Sites are first come-first served. Horses are allowed in the trailhead parking area, but not in the campground and picnic areas.
No. of Sites
25 single and 1 double sites
Reservation Info
None
Fire Information
Fires must be contained within the fire ring, grill, stove or other device.
Hours of Operation:
The campground and picnic area is open from April thru October and the trailhead parking for the Ozark Trail is open year-round. Area Closed from 10:00PM to 6:00AM (Except for Campers)
Fishing
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River and Stream Fishing
Marble Creek offers bank and wade fishing for smallmouth bass and panfish.
Hiking
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Day Hiking
This recreation area is the main trailhead for the Marble Creek Section of the Ozark Trail. This 8-mile segment goes to Crane Lake (connecting with the 5-mile Crane Lake National Recreation Trail) and is open for hiking, equestrian and mountain bike use.
Hours of Operation:
The trailhead parking for the Ozark Trail is open year-round.
Nature Viewing
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Viewing Wildlife
Viewing Plants
Viewing Scenery
Picnicking
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Picnicking
There are four picnic sites available next to the old grist mill dam area,each with a table and pedestal grill.
Water Activities
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Swimming
There is no managed swimming in this area. However, Marble Creek is a popular place for cooling off during the summer. The water is not monitored or tested, rocks and drop-offs are not marked, and the current can be strong during periods of high water. Enter the stream at your own risk.
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