Paddy Creek Recreation Area

Area Status: Open

Paddy Creek Wilderness, in Texas County, is the wilderness closest to Phelps County.

The Paddy Creek Recreation Area is nestled in a hollow along Paddy Creek, a major tributary to the Big Piney River, 1/2 mile away.

Fort Leonard Wood is just north of the recreation area, occasionally you may hear the guns fired at the military training base. Otherwise, the area is very beautiful and tranquil along the creek.

The recreation area is located adjacent to the east boundary of the Paddy Creek Wilderness and serves as one of the 3 trailheads for the Big Piney Trail. This site also has a day use area and camping. Visitors during the summer will find the area a bit more busteling, but spring and fall are just as beautiful times to visit, albeit quieter.

Paddy Creek flows year-round and is a crystal clear wading creek.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	The campground closes for the season Dec. 1 and reopens on April 1
Operational Hours:	Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am
Area Amenities:	Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking
Fees:	No fees
Open Season:	April 1 - December 1
Usage:	Light
Restrictions:	Campground: Fees will be paid at the fee tube provided. Fireworks are prohibited. Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas. No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites (16 for double sites). Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the campground. Only collect dead and downed wood for campfires.
Closest Towns:	Roby and Licking, MO
Water:	None
Restroom:	Vault
Operated By:	USDA Forest Service
Information Center:	Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District Email \| Phone and Address

General Information

Directions:

From Roby, MO

take Highway 17 north 2 miles,
turn right/east on Slabtown Road (formerly Forest Road 7600) and travel 6 miles to Paddy Creek Road
turn right/south on Paddy Creek Road (formerly Forest Road 220) and travel for 2 miles
the recreation area is on the left, just over the low water crossing/bridge*

*Water flows over this crossing at all times, however it can be unpassable after a heavy rain. Please drive carefully at all times over this crossing.

From Licking, MO

take Highway 32 west for 15 miles to Paddy Creek Road
turn right/north onto Paddy Creek Road and travel for 8 miles
the rec area will be on the right just before the creek.

From Ft. Leonard Wood:

Take South Gate onto Hwy AW for 6.7 miles to Hwy 17
turn left/east for 1 mile then left onto Slabtown Rd.
continue on Slabtown Rd for 4.3 miles,
then take a right onto Paddy Creek Rd.
continue for 2 miles; Paddy Creek Recreation Area is on the left.

Accessibility:

Toilets are accessible

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

Sites are mostly secluded with an open meadow space at the beginning of the campground for outdoor activities. There is river and bluff side camping.

Amenities include: picnic tables, lantern posts, fire rings, garbage removal provided.

No. of Sites

Single: 18, no electric Double: 1, no electric

RV Camping

Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:

Sites are mostly secluded with an open meadow space at the beginning of the campground for outdoor activities. There is river and bluff side camping.

Amenities include: picnic tables, lantern posts, fire rings, garbage removal provided.

There are no RV hookups at this location.

No. of Sites	Single: 18, no electric Double: 1, no electric
Vehicle Clearence	No restrictions
Size Restrictions	Can accommodated up to 34' RVs.
Pavement Type of Parking	Asphalt

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

A trailhead in the day use area provides access to the Paddy Creek Trail system and the Paddy Creek Wilderness trails.

Paddy Creek Trail is a 1-mile hiking trail beginning and ending at the Paddy Creek Recreation Area.

There are 18 miles of designated trails within the Paddy Creek Wilderness. The elevation of the area changes 500 feet between a point near Roby Tower on the western edge of the area, and Paddy Creek as it meets the eastern boundary of the Wilderness. Signs and trail marking are minimal or non-existent and the use of maps and compass is recommended.

Big Game Hunting

Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:

This site is open for hunting season. Hunters come to hunt throughout the area during deer and turkey seasons. Please do not shoot your gun within 100 yards of the recreation area.

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

The picnic area is located immediately off the county road near the entrance to the recreation area. Picnic tables are located between the road and Paddy Creek. Visitors will have excellant views of the creek and enjoy a shaded, cool meal in the heat of the summer.

No. of Sites

Individual Sites: 4

Swimming

Recreation areas with activity Swimming:

Access to Paddy Creek is spread along the recreation area with many locations for visitors to hop into the creek. The cool, clear waters are excellant for those seeking to cool off on a hot summers day. Even in the dry season visitors can find deep pools along Paddy Creek.

The area is not managed for swimming: there are no lifeguards, depth or hazard markers, and the water is not tested.