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Bar-K Wrangler Camp
Bar-K Wrangler Camp is a quiet campground located on the west bank of Swan Creek and serves as a Trailhead for the Swan Creek Trail. The campground is used frequently by equestrians. Whether you choose one of the designated sites or decide to spread out in the big field across the road you’ll have plenty of room for yourself and your horse when you visit.
During the summer months you can cool off with a quick wade in Swan Creek.
At night you can enjoy the quiet in a primitive horse camp, surrounded by maples, oaks, hickories, and dogwood. During the day you'll have access to the 23-miles of riding, hiking, and mountain bike trails in Swan Creek.
Printable Recreational Opportunity Guide for this site.
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Quiet hours 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | All sites are first come, first served. |
| Area Amenities: | Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking |
| Fees: | Camping
|
| Permit Info: | Fishing permits are available from Missouri Department of Conservation |
| Open Season: | January - December |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | Garrison, MO. Chadwick, MO. |
| Water: | None |
| Restroom: | Pit |
| Operated By: | USDA Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Ava Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District Email | Phone and Address |
General Information
Directions:From Garrison, MO
- Take Hwy 125 north 2 miles to Forest Road 533.
- Turn right and continue to the bottom of the hill.
From Chadwick, MO
- Take Hwy 125 south for about 7 miles to Forest Road 533
- Turn left and continue to the bottom of the hill
Activities
Mountain Biking
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with the east side of the Swan Creek area. As you travel east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Campground Camping
Minimal facilities include tables and fire rings, and toilet facilities.
The sites are located on the righthand side of the road near a creek. Across the road is an open field where you can park or dispersed camp with horse trailers.
Camping With Horses
- Campers should scatter manure piles outside the mowed area to aid decomposition, discourage flies, and as a courtesy to others.
- Use hitching posts whenever provided. Hitching stock to trees causes long-term damage. A hitch line between trees using wide nylon “tree saver” straps with rope run between the straps is always a good idea.
- Please keep stock out of scenic overlooks or popular stops.
| No. of Sites | 3 |
Group Camping
This area is an open field where groups may camp together.
| No. of Sites | No designated site. |
River and Stream Fishing
Swan Creek is a small creek, and very shallow during the summer months.
For more information on the rules and regulations to be followed visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
| Fish Species | smallmouth bass, rock bass, and goggleeye |
| Fishing Mode | Shore, Wade |
| Fishing Platform | None |
| Water Temperature | Warm |
| Fishing Method | Fly, Pole |
Day Hiking
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with Tin Top Trailhead. If you begin your trip from the east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Backpacking
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with Tin Top Trailhead. If you begin your trip from the east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Horse Camping
Minimal facilities include tables and fire rings, and toilet facilities.
The sites are located on the righthand side of the road near a creek. Across the road is an open field where you can park or dispersed camp with horse trailers.
Camping With Horses
- Campers should scatter manure piles outside the mowed area to aid decomposition, discourage flies, and as a courtesy to others.
- Use hitching posts whenever provided. Hitching stock to trees causes long-term damage. A hitch line between trees using wide nylon “tree saver” straps with rope run between the straps is always a good idea.
- Please keep stock out of scenic overlooks or popular stops.
| Fees: | No Fees. |
|---|
Horse Riding
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with Tin Top Trailhead. If you begin your trip from the east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Picnicking
Picnicking is allowed in the campground if the campsite is not otherwise occupied. Tables and fire rings are available.
| Fees: | No Fees. |
|---|
Swimming
There’s a little trail that leads down to the creek. The creek is small, and not very deep in most places. The creek is rock bottomed and crystal clear.
The area is not managed for swimming: there are no lifeguards, depth or hazard markers, and the water is not tested.
Amenities
| Camping trailer: | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | At campsites |
| Tent camping: | Yes |
| Parking: | 30 vehicles with trailers |
| Toilets: | Yes |
Related Information
Location
