**TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS FOR ONSR TRAILS ILLUSTRATED MAP**

*General Information:*

*Unique Features of the Ozark Plateau:* Oak-Hickory/Short leaf Pine
upland forest, riparian bottomland forest, limestone & igneous glades,
clear free-flowing springs/ streams/rivers, granite "shut-ins",
waterfalls, limestone caves, and high cliffs.

*Seasonal Highlights:* Spring ephemeral wildflowers in bloom
(April-mid-June). Autumn leaf color (October). The shoulder seasons of
spring & fall offer cooler hiking temperatures and fewer insects. Bald
Eagles winter along the Current River. Migratory song birds are best
observed in spring.

*Preparing for a Hike:* Bring ample supply of potable water, insect
repellent, and proper footwear (with ankle support). Leave information
with a friend or family member or park staff if you intend to embark on
one of the park's longer hikes.

*Safety Considerations:* Know what poison ivy looks like. Do not venture
into any cave alone or without proper gear and preparation. Use insect
repellent to deter ticks, and be aware of tick-born diseases. Snakes are
present, three species are venomous\-\--leave them all alone. Rivers and
streams can rise rapidly to flood stage\-\--do not attempt to cross
during high-water conditions.

*[Lower Current Trails]{.underline}*

**Big Spring Trail System:**

> **Slough Trail:** 1.2 miles round trip. Wheelchair accessible. An easy
> stroll that begins just north of the 'Big Spring'. The route traverses
> a stand of cane and riparian forest along the slough with impoundments
> constructed by the CCC. Interpretive exhibits explain history,
> pre-history, and natural habitat of the immediate area. Hikers can
> cross Peavine Road and continue north along the Current River by
> taking the *River's Edge Trail* which leads to the Big Spring
> Campground.
>
> **River's Edge Trail:** 1.8 miles round trip. This easy meandering
> trail, much of it through a stand of cane, provides a connection
> between Big Spring Campground and Peavine Picnic Shelter where one can
> catch the Slough Trail which leads to the Big Spring. Following the
> bank of the Current River it offers an excellent opportunity to spot
> Bald Eagles (in winter months) King Fishers, Blue Herons, and numerous
> song birds that nest in the riparian area or migrate through in spring
> & fall. Offers intimate views of the river.
>
> **Stone Ridge Trail:** 1.2 miles long. This moderate to mildly
> strenuous hike ascends the limestone bluff to the ridgeline above the
> Big Spring, then descends through swales and hollows down to link up
> with the *Slough Trail*. Segments of this trail consist of stone steps
> constructed by CCC boys during the depression era when Big Spring was
> an early State Park. The trail travels through dry upland oak woods
> with numerous limestone outcroppings and several opportunities for
> scenic views.
>
> **Spring Branch Trail:** 1 mile round trip. This short rocky (in some
> sections) trail connects Big Spring to the Historic Dining Lodge built
> by CCC boys. The trail lies at the base of the limestone cliff from
> which Big Spring emerges, loops around the spring, then follows the
> spring branch as it delivers 280 million gallons of crystal clear
> water into the Current River. Spring wildflowers, lichens, mosses, and
> ferns cling to the cliff-side. It intersects the *Stone Ridge Trail*
> before crossing the paved road then proceeds south to the Dining
> Lodge.
>
> **Chubb Hollow Trail:** 3.8 mile loop trail. This trail offers a wide
> range of experiences. Sections of this hike pass through the *Big
> Spring Pines State Natural Area*\-\--one of the most outstanding
> pine-oak forests in the Lower Ozarks. The trail begins at the historic
> Big Spring Dining Lodge (built by the CCC) and travels along the bank
> of the Current River out to the Chubb Hollow Picnic Pavilion,
> following the base of a high cliff at the river's edge, then ascends
> the ridge to circumvent the "hollow" passing through upland pine/oak
> forest. Midway along the ridgetop visitors encounter the Big Spring
> Lookout Tower (used during the mid-20^th^ century as part of a
> regional fire protection system). The tower, scheduled to be
> refurbished, will offer a spectacular 360° panoramic view of the Ozark
> Plateau. Looping back to the dining lodge, the trail passes through
> the site of the CCC encampment where CCC boys lived during the period
> of the Big Spring State Park construction in the early 1930s, and then
> descends the slope past the timber/stone cabins (which they also
> built). Both the Partney Ridge Trail and the Kinnard Hollow Trail
> intersect the Chubb Hollow Trail\-\--for a longer more ambitious trek.
>
> **Partney Ridge Trail:** 3.3 miles long. This is a long but moderate
> hike with minimal grade change that traverses upland ridgetop forest
> (oak/hickory/pine) as well as an early farmstead\-\--where both open
> fields and an old home (staff residence) provide park visitors with a
> glimpse of the bottomland habitation patterns once indicative of small
> farming settlements along the riverways. Excellent opportunities for
> wildlife viewing (turkey, deer, numerous song birds and raptors) exist
> as the trail nears the Current River floodplain and passes by open
> fields.
>
> **Kinnard Hollow Trail:** 3.5 miles long. The Kinnard Trail must be
> accessed via the Chubb Hollow Trail, the Spring Valley Trail, or the
> Chilton Trail. A moderate, but long hike, this trail was once part of
> the route patrolled by a "Range Rider" when Big Spring, one of
> Missouri's first state parks, served as a wildlife "refuge" during the
> era of early conservation. Three fourths of the trail winds along a
> stream bed until ascending the ridge up to the Big Spring Lookout
> Tower. In the near future, hikers will be able to access the 200+ mile
> regional Ozark Trail from the Kinnard Hollow Trail via a 'spur' trail
> connecting the *Between the Rivers Section* of the Ozark Trail to the
> Big Spring trail system.
>
> **Chilton Creek Trail:** 3.4 mile loop trail. This moderate trail
> parallels Chilton Creek as it travels up McSpadden Hollow before
> ascending a ridgetop. The trail follows an old trace much of the way,
> with hand laid stone crib walls constructed years ago where
> intermittent streams descend the ridge. Dipping into a second stream
> bed which drains into Water Hollow, the trail loops back to the north
> where it intersects Hwy. Z. At this point one can cross the road,
> catching the Partney Ridge Trail, or turn north along side Hwy. Z to
> complete the Chilton Creek loop.
>
> **Spring Valley Trail:** 2.1 miles long. This trail begins just south
> of Hwy 103 west of the CCC Museum. Hikers can park near the museum.
> The trail is moderate, but long\-\--and will intersect the Kinnard
> Trail, which in turn will intersect the Chubb Hollow Trail, taking one
> back to the parking lot. A portion of this trail lies within the *Big
> Spring Pines State Natural Area*---containing one of the most
> outstanding pine-oak forests in the Lower Ozarks.

**Cave Spring River Trail:** 0.8 miles round trip. This easy trail
begins at the day-use picnic area near Cave Spring on the Lower Current
located west of the small community of Hunter (take Hwy 21 south and Hwy
E west out of Hunter). Cave Spring River Trail passes through dense
riparian habitat along the banks of the spring branch fed by waters
issuing from the large vaulted entrance of the cave This trail follows
the spring branch east to the Current River.

*[Upper Current Trails]{.underline}*

**Susie Nichols Cabin Trail:** 0.6 miles round trip. This easy walk
leads from the gate at the parking area up the old "home place" road to
the farmstead of Susie Nichols, who up until her death in1959 chose to
keep "the old ways". Living without electricity and relying on her horse
"ol' Don" she remained independent and self-sufficient. The park
maintains her board & batten cabin and several out buildings\-\--the
Nichols homestead being a cultural landscape typical of Ozark lifeways.

**Welch Spring Trail:** 0.8 miles round trip. The trail is located off
Hwy. K north of Akers. It is an easy walk from the trailhead parking
area north along a rock/earth impoundment out to Welch Spring\-\--which
emits 78.2 million gallons of crystal clear water a day from a cave at
the base of a limestone cliff. An old impoundment contains the flow,
then water tumbles into the Current River over rock debris. Of
interest\-\--the stone ruins of an old hospital can be seen across the
containment pond\-\--where tuberculosis "cures" were sought\-\--with
convalescing patients breathing in the thick, cold, damp vapors which
welled up from the cave.

**Cave Spring Trail:** 4.6 mile loop trail. This trail is moderate but
long\-\--with short stretches classed as difficult as the trail climbs
over the cliff\-\--presenting a challenging 'scramble'. Follow signs on
KK east of Akers where a gravel access road leads to Devils Well (an
ancient sinkhole\-\--at the bottom of which lies an underground lake the
size of a football field). The loop trail, beginning at the Devils
Well\-\--traverses oak-pine forest ridges, a limestone glade, winds
through hollows and crosses intermittent streams as it brings hikers
down to the mouth of Cave Spring on the Current River. The 'Cliff'
segment of this loop trail traverses the side of a high limestone bluff
overlooking the Current River with spectacular views, then returns to
Devils Well via Parker Hollow alongside an intermittent stream bed

**Pulltite Nature Trail:** 1.5 mile loop trail. This trail presents a
moderate challenge. The trailhead is located near the terminus of the
campground road near the Group Camping Area at Pulltite. It is a
'self-guided' nature walk with interpretive panels along the trail. The
trail ascends the ridge through oak/pine upland forest\-\--passing close
to a limestone cave. On decent from the ridgetop the trail parallels the
Current River through riparian habitat.

**Pulltite Cabin Trail:** 0.2 miles round trip. Located across the
Current River from the Pulltite campground, this very short trail is
accessible by boat (or wading if the river is low enough). From the
river bank the trail circles around a fern and moss covered limestone
bluff to Pulltite Spring and a log cabin that was constructed as a
"retreat" by city folk who traveled to the Ozarks to "float the river"
in the early 20^th^ century. Park staff have recently refurbished the
log framework. The setting, seemingly remote, with access limited to the
river\-\--gives today's visitor a glimpse of the rustic natural
character that has captivated Ozark "tourists" and settlers alike.

**Round Spring Trails:** *Round Spring Trail* -A short walk (0.1 mile)
from the Round Spring Picnic area takes visitors to an overlook where
visitors can view the deep blue-green waters of Round Spring which lies
at the base of a moss/fern covered limestone bluff. Interpretive panels
provide information on geology and an overview of prehistoric peoples
who once lived in the area. *Round Spring Cave Trail* - A short walk
from the cave parking area (0.1 mile) through the woods along the spring
branch takes visitors to the Round Spring Caverns for a tour of the
cave. Guided tours (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) led by a park ranger
explore the subterranean world of stalagmites, stalactites, bats, and
cave salamanders\-\--typical of hundreds of caves found throughout the
park. A cave tour takes approximately 2 hours.

**Virgin Pine Walk & Pioneer Forest Interpretive Drive:** The *Virgin
Pine Walk* is a short loop trail through one of only a few remnant
forests of native, uncut shortleaf pine. Walking through Missouri\'s
Hall of Giants the hiker will be able to see how this forest has grown
and changed through time. The *Pioneer Forest Interpretive Drive*
extends for two miles, explaining as you drive how selecting individual
trees for cutting maintains mature, continuously-forested landscapes in
the Ozarks. This area and Pioneer Forest LLC are owned and managed by
the L-A-D Foundation.

**Lick Log Trail:** 1 mile loop trail\-\--easy with no steep grades.
Trailhead is located off Fox Pen Road (County Road 205) about two miles
north of Eminence on Route 19. This trail lies within the Angeline State
Conservation Area and is managed by the Missouri Department of
Conservation (MDC). This hike offers a wide range of Ozark habitats from
an upland forest of oak-pine to dolomite glades, Ryolite glades, fens
(wetlands), and igneous "shut-ins"\-\--each with unique flora and fauna.

**Prairie Hollow Gorge Trail:** Located east of Hwy. V north of Hwy 106.
there are two short trails within the *Prairie Hollow Gorge Natural
Area* . The area presents a prime example of igneous upland forest
dominated by short leaf pine and white oak. The rocky understory is
notable for a lush carpet of moss, lichen, and blueberry bushes. The
upper trail\-\--an easy (0.25 mi.) along the ridgetop leads hikers to an
igneous glade with numerous "scrambles" over massive rock outcroppings
where one can get an overview of the "shut-in" below\-\--with a series
of small waterfalls and deep pools. While this trail is easy to
navigate\-\--the rock "scrambles" at the canyon rim lead to precipitous
drops of several hundred feet. Caution is required. There is a lower
trail that leads into the actual gorge 0.1 mile in length before the
trail dissolves into a rock "scramble" over massive boulders within the
"shut-in". The stream which passes through the gorge flows
intermittently with deep pools carved into the rock and enormous
boulders.

**Ozark Trail:** The 200 + miles of the *Ozark Trail* runs from Onondaga
State Park south through the Ozark Plateau. Upon completion it will
cross the Arkansas border north of Mountain Home, AR and Norfork
Lake\-\--to connect to the Ozark Highland Trail. The *Ozark Trail* (OT)
offers some of the most spectacular hiking in the Midwest. Scenic
overlooks, wooded ridge-tops with panoramic views, igneous and chert
forests, dolomite glades, and dark bottomland forested hollows, numerous
springs, igneous rock "shut-ins" channeling spring-fed crystal clear
waters over massive boulders\-\--bring the hiker through the best of
what the Ozarks has to offer. The Current River Section passes through
both the *Mill Mountain State Natural Area* and the *Stegall Mountain
State Natural Area*. Trailhead parking is available at Powder Mill for
hikers wanting to access the Ozark Trail. The Current River Section &
the lower portion of the Blair Creek Section are open to hikers only.
Detailed maps of each OT section can be downloaded from the Ozark Trail
Association (OTA) website (*www.ozarktrail.com*).

**Blue Spring Trail:** 1 mile round trip. This easy to moderate hike may
be accessed at Powder Mill or from the picnic area at the Blue Spring
Trailhead & Picnic Area. The trail skirts the bottomland riparian forest
along the Current River between Powder Mill and the *Blue Spring State
Natural Area\-\--*where the trail parallels the spring branch out to
Blue Spring*.* As the name of this spring indicates\-\--Blue Spring is
deemed the "bluest" spring in Missouri and at a depth of around 300
feet\-\--it is Missouri's deepest.

**Rocky Falls Trail:** 0.4 miles long. This short, easy walk links Rocky
Falls, a significant geologic feature, to the Ozark Trail. The trail
passes through upland pine-oak-cedar forest in the *Stegall Mountain
State Natural Area*. This level "spur" trail follows an old trace as it
approaches the Rocky Falls "shut-ins" where a wide 40 foot high cascade
of water from Rocky Creek descends over massive pink and purple porphyry
igneous rock formations\-\--putting on a spectacular show during spring
and summer months following heavy rain. A very short segment of trail
brings visitors from the picnic area and parking lot off Hwy NN to the
falls.

*[Jacks Fork Trails]{.underline}*

**Alley Spring Trail:** 0.3 mile short loop or 0.5 long loop. This easy
hike begins at the historic Alley Mill located on the banks of Alley
Spring. Following a tour of the old turbine powered grist
mill\-\--visitors can walk the perimeter of the deep blue spring along a
trail that hugs the base of a massive limestone cliff. The remnants of
the old stone impoundment and mill sluice send the 81 million gallons of
water per day that flow from Alley Spring cascading into the spring
branch. The trail continues for a short distance along the spring branch
past a series of small caves and moss covered rock outcroppings, crosses
a wood foot bridge to return to the Mill or continues down the branch to
the visitor parking area.

**Alley Overlook Trail**: 1.3 mile loop trail. This hike begins at Alley
Mill. There is a steep rocky ascent that climbs the limestone bluff from
which Alley Spring emerges. The short climb brings one to a scenic
overlook where one has a birds-eye view of the red Alley Mill below and
the crystalline blue waters of Alley Spring. An interpretive wayside at
the overlook reveals the extent of this once thriving 19^th^ century
community with a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a farmstead with
corn fields and fence rows on the rolling slopes beyond Alley Mill. The
trail continues along the ridge top through an upland pine-oak forest
and this long segment of trail is level and easy walking. Following the
ridge southward the trail dips down a series of switchbacks into the
floodplain where Alley Spring Branch flows towards the Jacks Fork River.
Hikers may return to the parking area or complete the "loop" back to
Alley Mill along the spring branch.

*[Horse Trails]{.underline}*

Ozark National Scenic Riverways offers equestrians four designated horse
trail loops totaling 25.5 miles of trail. The trails are marked with
color coded blazes. The park provides two staging areas (Broadfoot and
Shawnee), each with a restroom and hitching rails, where riders may park
their trailers. Additional horseback riding opportunities exist west of
the park within the Angeline Conservation Area managed by the Missouri
Department of Conservation (MDC). MDC maintains approximately 9 miles of
horse trails and a trailhead staging area north of Eminence off County
Road 205. The MDC staging area provides restrooms, hitching rails, and
parking for horse trailers.

Horseback riding offers an excellent opportunity to experience the Ozark
landscape\-\--from open fields where one may encounter wild horses,
forested riparian bottomland where one can observe song birds, raptors
and water fowl, and upland oak-pine ridges with panoramic views of the
river below. Remember\-\--equestrians are restricted to blazed
designated horse trails and numbered county gravel roads ONLY! Segments
of some of the designated horse trails traverse private land. Out of
courtesy and respect for private landowners, public lands, and the
environment\-\--all riders are asked to KEEP TO THE BLAZED TRAILS!

SAFETY NOTE: River fords are signed\-\--and riders are to cross
[only]{.underline} at these designated fords. For the safety of both
rider and mount\-\--always release tie-downs before crossing a river
ford. Never attempt to cross any stream or river during periods of high
water.

**Jerktail Loop Trail:** This 5.2 mile loop trail is classified as
moderate to difficult. There are two designated fords where the trail
crosses the Current River. Several scenic overlooks offer expansive
views of the Current River from atop high bluffs.

**Broadfoot Loop Trail:** This 5.9 mile loop trail is classified as
moderate. The Broadfoot loop offers excellent opportunities to view a
herd of wild horses which are protected within the park. There are two
designated fords where the Broadfoot trail crosses the Current River.
The majority of this loop trail travels through Oak-Pine forest. The
Broadfoot Staging area provides hitching posts, a restroom, and
designated day-use parking for horse trailers.

**Two Rivers Loop Trail:** This 5.4 mile loop trail is classified as
easy to moderate. Extended segments of this loop trail follow riparian
corridors and afford views of both the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers.
There are two designated fords that cross the Current River and a third
designated ford that crosses the Jacks Fork River.

**Shawnee Loop Trail:** This 7 mile loop trail is classified as easy to
moderate. The Shawnee Staging area provides hitching posts, a restroom,
and designated day-use parking for horse trailers. The trail passes
through riparian areas along the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers. A rocky
climb along this route also takes riders to a bluff top with a
spectacular view of the Jacks Fork River. There are two designated fords
crossing the Current River and two fords crossing the Jacks Fork River.

**Angeline Conservation Area Horse Trails:** The Missouri Department of
Conservation (MDC) supports a system of eleven interconnected short loop
trails and connecting trails within the Angeline, totaling 8.7 miles,
just north of Eminence and to the west of the park. All trails are
marked with color coded blazes. The trailhead parking area provided by
MDC has designated parking for 30 horse trailers. Brochures describing
the trails will be available at the trailhead. Riders may also contact
the MDC Eminence Office at (573) 226-3616 to obtain more information.