Ozark Heritage Region

ALTON
AVA
BRANDSVILLE
CABOOL
EMINENCE
GAINESVILLE
HARTVILLE
HOUSTON

LICKING
MANSFIELD
MOUNTAIN VIEW
NORWOOD
ROCKBRIDGE
THAYER
WEST PLAINS
WILLOW SPRINGS

MILLS & SPRINGS

Rockbridge Mill The entire town of Rockbridge was destroyed by fire during the Civil War. Residents might have left the area, but they couldn't resist the stunning scenery of this bluff-lined valley of the Bryant Creek. So they chose a new town site near Morris Spring, and one of the first structures built was a new gristmill. Built in 1868, historic Rockbridge Mill still stands as a monument to the tenacity of Ozarks pioneers. Today, the mill is the scenic center of a privately owned fishing resort and trout hatchery. Many of the town's original buildings have been preserved, and the old general store converted into a popular area restaurant. Cabins at the resort are sometimes reserved years in advance by fisherfolk who, like those first residents, just have to keep coming back. www.rockbridgemo.com
	Hodgson Mill & Spring Designated by the Missouri Department of Tourism as the most photographed mill in the state, this premier example of a turbine-driven gristmill is probably the best known mill in America. Built in 1894, it remained in operation until 1977, when production of the famous flours and meal that bears its name was moved to a state-of-the-art facility at nearby Gainesville. The mill is also unique in that it was built into a rock bluff directly over the spring's 29 million gallon outflow. The mill's wheel shown in the photo is merely a decorative feature. Located on beautiful Bryant Creek, a camping area just across the mill branch provides opportunity to stay over and enjoy this scenic wonder. Canoe outfitters are available at nearby Dora to arrange float trips from this site.
Dawt Mill Built in 1897, Dawt is the only water-powered grist mill located on the North Fork River. The view from the mill overlooking this trophy trout stream is amazing! Dawt is now a resort with canoeing, lodging, camping, food and supplies. The old mill is the focal point of the resort. On the weekends, visitors may view one of the mill grinding demonstrations and purchase fresh ground corn meal. Fresh baked goods can also be purchased at the bakery located in front of the mill.www.dawtmill.com
	Topaz Mill Constructed in 1895 and hidden away in a valley along the upper North Fork of the White River, the mill is privately owned and preserved. The general store with the mill provided the center for the pioneer town of Topaz.
Zanoni Mill & Spring Though a mill has operated on this site since the Civil War era, the mill wheel and flume is all that remains of the original structure that was put in place in 1905 by A.P. "Doc" Morrison. A wooden flume carries water from a hillside spring to the original overshot wooden wheel. In the past, the mill was the center of a thriving community which included a post office and general store. Today, the new structure is a venue for weddings and other special events and remains a historic part of the scenery where the four seasons of Ozarks' beauty offer picturesque opportunities. www.zanonimillinn.com
	Falling Spring & Mill Located on Hurricane Creek near the Eleven Point River, the spring is part of a small park maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Enjoy crossing the footbridge that connects the spring branch to the mill pond. The mill was constructed in the 1920's of rough-hewn oak and was powered by the spring that emerges from the bluff above. It features one of the area's few wooden overshot waterwheels with much of its primitive machinery still intact. The first house built at Falling Spring was a log cabin, which is over 100 years old and still standing. It sits across from the mill.
Turner's Mill Spring A spring branch boiling from beneath a rock in Oregon County prompted Clay Turner to haul a 25-foot tall steel mill wheel, in pieces, by mule train, to power a gristmill, sawmill, and electric light for the town of Surprise (so named because the townspeople thought the town too small to be granted its own post office. But it was. Surprise!) Now the wheel stands alone in the spring branch a short walk from Surprise school, whose last graduating class was in 1945.
	Boze Mill Spring Located above the Riverton access, Boze Mill is nestled in a beautiful glen beside the Eleven Point River. Boze Mill Spring forms a sparkling blue pool which produces 12 million gallons of water per day. Aquatic plants add many shades of green to the spring branch. The historic 1880's turbine and hand-layered rock wall from the Lucas Boze grist mill still exist. Boze mill is a perfect starting point for tubing away the afternoon on a summer day.
Alley Spring & Mill Located near Eminence, the spring empties 80 million gallons of water per day into the upper Jacks Fork River. It is one of the most frequently visited Ozarks’ springs and holds the record for the largest measured flow. The mill was built in 1894 and is now a museum. Owned by the National Park Service since 1971, Alley Mill is part of a park which includes a pioneer oneroom schoolhouse, swimming and picnic areas, hiking trails and campgrounds.
.	Greer Spring Steep but well marked, the trail to Greer Spring has been described as "half a mile down and five miles back." It's well worth the walk. Named for Samuel W. Greer, who first harnessed the scenic spring north of Alton in the 1870s, it is now part of the Mark Twain National Forest. Its daily outflow of 220 million gallons of water more than doubles the size of the Eleven Point River into which it flows.
Blue Spring Located east of Eminence on Hwy. 106 near Owls Bend, it is Missouri’s 6th largest spring with an average flow of 90 million gallons per day. It is said that the Native Americans called this spring “Do-Ge-Ke- Thabo-Bthi” or “Spring of the Summer Sky” because of its clear blue color. Blue Springs has been mapped to a depth of 310 feet, the deepest mapped spring in the state. The 17 acres surrounding the spring was declared a Missouri Natural Area on account of the native flora in 1972. This property is owned by the Missouri Department of Conservation and managed cooperatively with the National Park Service. Access by hilly gravel road (no trailers), hike from the Owls Bend National Park Service campground, or walk up from canoe landing at the Current River.
	Round Spring Located on Hwy. 19 north of Eminence, this spring is one of the most beautiful in the Ozarks. It forms a pool of water that appears to be colored deep aquamarine blue tinted by the moss growing in and around it. Picnic facilities are scenic and spacious. A nearby cave contains unusual geological formations.
Big Spring The largest single outlet spring in America, Big Spring is located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways near Van Buren. Its water rises from the base of a limestone bluff and pours 276 million gallons of water per day into the nearby Current River. Its recharge area, from where its waters come, is estimated at 967 square miles. Big Spring is the lowest of Missouri's large springs in elevation at 433 feet above mean sea level. It is owned by the National Park Service and has a developed campground. There is no charge for entry to view the spring.
	Mammoth Spring Located just across the state line in Arkansas, it is named for the largest spring in Arkansas and is tenth largest in the world. The spring pours 9.78 million gallons an hour of cool, clear water into Spring Lake. It is also the headwaters of Spring River, a legendary trout stream. It is estimated that at least 90% of the flow comes from Missouri. Dye traced from west and north of the spring, along the sinkhole plain near Koshkonong, Missouri. Grand Gulf near Thayer, Missouri, also contributes water. Mammoth Spring is an Arkansas State Park (approximately 27 miles southeast of West Plains). No camping is permitted, but picnicking and other recreation is allowed. Back to Top

SCENIC WILDERNESS

Mark Twain National Forest Much of the scenic beauty surrounding West Plains is part of the Mark Twain National Forest. Recreational opportunities are abundant within 11 ranger districts on the 1.5-million acre forest. Included are more than 40 campgrounds and picnic sites, over 350 miles of floatable streams, lakes ranging from 10 to 440 acres, seven congressionally designated wilderness areas totaling over 63,000 acres and 125 miles of trails for bikers and ATV users. Horseback riding, hiking (including three national recreation trails), sightseeing and bird-watching are popular. The National Forest is open year-round, and the price for activities varies.
	Grand Gulf State Park Long ago, the roof fell in on a large limestone cave and created an amazing geological formation. This unique park near Thayer preserves a canyon 3/4 of a mile long with walls reaching as high as 120 feet. It is often called the “Little Grand Canyon.” Here, one of the largest natural bridges in Missouri spans a distance of 200 feet over an opening 75 feet high. Water flowing into the remaining subterranean portion of the cave has been traced to Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
The Narrows This area is known as “The Narrows” because of the high rocky ridge separating Fredrick Creek and the river. The Narrows is located east of Thayer, between Myrtle and Gatewood. At Morgan Spring Float Camp, a footpath leads to Morgan Spring then up over the ridge to Blue Spring. The dam and rock work on Fredrick Creek above where it joins the river are all that remains of Tommason Mill, which was built around 1908 and operated in the early part of the century. An aquatic plant farm operated along the creek and spring branches until the 1960’s. Some of the non-native vegetation still thrives.
	Caney Mountain Refuge In 1949, the Conservation department purchased a 6,694 acre tract in the roughest part of the monadnocks and hired master conservationist A. Starker Leopold to prepare its first wildlife management plan. Today, Leopold’s log cabin with its rock stairway down the bluff to a spring, is a charming photo opportunity. The area is host to a diverse wildlife population as well as other natural wonders, including the state record gum tree, resident bald eagle populations and several unique plant communities. Drive-through car tours are possible at most times of the year and some camping is available in designated areas. Managed deer and turkey hunts, including a fall blackpowder hunt are held each year and self-guided nature trails provide diverse and scenic hiking opportunities. The area is open daily from 4 am until 10 pm.
Devil's Backbone Wilderness A designated Wilderness, the Devil's Backbone is located within the Willow Springs Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest. Named by early settlers for a prominent ridge, the Devil's Backbone comprises 6,595 acres of rugged Ozarks' hills and hollows and is noted for its rugged terrain and wild beauty. This area is under special preservation rules as a Wilderness area to maintain it for all adventuring individuals to enjoy. The Devil's Backbone Wilderness is one of eight Wilderness areas protected and preserved in Missouri. Vehicles are prohibited but 13 miles of Wilderness trails make it accessible by foot and horseback. Raccoon Hollow, McGarr Ridge and Collins Ridge provide entry points as well as the Blue Spring area of North Fork Recreation Area. *Call the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District at (417) 683-4428 for detailed maps and further information before entering the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness or the Ridge Runner Trail.
	Tupelo Gum Pond Natural Area The existence of this stand of water tupelo trees indicates Tupelo Gum Pond is one of the most ancient sinkhole ponds in the Ozark uplands. These trees are common in the swamps of the Mississippi delta. When you walk down into the sinkhole from the surrounding dry, upland forest, the sudden appearance of the pond is a surprise. The surface of the water is blanketed with lily and the edges are home to cattails and sedges. On the slopes surrounding the pond, the canopy is made up of white oak, black oak, scarlet oak, shortleaf pine, sassafras, persimmon and hickory. Flowering dogwood is the dominant understory tree. There are many nearby natural areas that can be visited on the same day.
Coward's Hollow Natural Area This area is located in a 56-acre portion of the Mark Twain National Forest southwest of Van Buren, Missouri and accessible by Forest Service roads. The natural area contains an unusual chert shut-in, chert shelter cave, a 20-foot waterfall and a chert cliff in the lower Ozarks’ section. Such a massive bed of Ordovician chert is unusual in Missouri.
White Ranch State Forest This 6,414-acre area has been divided into three tracts and is dominated by forests with deer, turkey, beaver and squirrels. This peaceful wilderness is the perfect place for hiking, bird-watching, picnicking, primitive camping, hunting, fishing or just getting away from it all. In 1993, rifle and pistol ranges were added for your enjoyment and practice. For more information, call the Missouri Department of Conservation at (417) 256-7161. No motor vehicles or all-terrain vehicles are allowed except on roads, parking lots and other designated areas.
The Ozark Trail When finished, the Ozark Trail will reach from St. Louis through central and south central Missouri into western Arkansas, a distance of 500 miles. The trail is divided into five sections, one of which passes through the West Plains area. Much of the trail has been completed and designed to accommodate foot, mountain bike and equestrian traffic.
The Ridge Runner Trail This 22-mile segment of the Ozark Trail extends from Noblett Lake to the North Fork Recreation Area at Hammond Camp. This trail provides access to every kind of Ozarks’ vista imaginable. Wildflowers and flowering dogwoods, shadbush and service berry are backdrop to more than 300 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. It is a hiker’s paradise!
Glade Top Trail Considered one of the most scenic locations in Missouri, the Glade Top Trail cuts through the Mark Twain National Forest and borders the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area. The trail is a pleasant half-day activity for wildlife and nature enthusiasts. Glade Top Trail is renowned for its enchanting spring and fall landscapes. Annual celebrations of the dazzling fall foliage are held at the Caney Picnic Area along the trail, complete with traditional barbeques and music festivals. Each spring is celebrated with a flowering tour that showcases the dogwood, rosebud, serviceberry and wild fruit trees. The trail travels along ridge tops, providing spectacular views of the glades.
Vanderhoef Memorial State Forest This State Forest was donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1988 by the Archie and Gracie Vanderhoef family, which had cared for it since pioneer days. With its nature trail, diversity of native plant life and the West Fork of the Spring River where bass, goggle eye and sunfish abound, the 140-acre forest is a perfect place for nature lovers and fishermen.
Jam Up Cave The incredible “doorway” to Jam Up Cave stands eight stories tall and is more than 1,000 feet across. Due to the indirect light reaching deep into this north-facing opening and the large lake within the cave, conditions are perfect for preservation of plant species that have not been seen elsewhere in the Ozarks since the last Ice Age. Access to the cave is only by canoe from the Jacks Fork River. Jam-Up Cave, upper Jack's Fork River, is northeast of Mountain View, about seven miles downstream from Highway 17's Buck Hollow Access.	Photo courtesy of Missouri Dept. of Conservation.
	Rocky Falls Located nine miles southeast of Eminence on Highway NN, Rocky Falls Shut-in is one of the finest examples of geology in the state. Igneous rock from an ancient lava outflow has combined with thousands of years of falling and flowing water to create this magnificent display of rock and water in conflict. Rocky Creek cascades forty feet down into a pool of cold, clear water that is an excellent swimming hole. The site is on National Forest Service land with a picnic area located nearby. One section of the Ozark Trail passes right by the waterfall.With everything combined, Rocky Falls is the perfect place to swim, have a picnic, explore the waterfall area and do some day hiking.
Akers Ferry For the past 50 years, during daylight hours, Eugene Maggard’s family has been ferrying vehicles across the Current River at Akers, south of Salem. Akers Ferry is a unique piece of Ozarks’ history and is the last toll ferry operating within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This Ferry is reminiscent of the days when not all rivers were crossed by bridges.	Back to Top

RV PARKS/CAMPING

ALTON
AVA
BRANDSVILLE
CABOOL
EMINENCE
GAINESVILLE
HARTVILLE
HOUSTON

LICKING
MANSFIELD
MOUNTAIN VIEW
NORWOOD
ROCKBRIDGE
THAYER
WEST PLAINS
WILLOW SPRINGS