Victory Section
Ozark Trail
Copyright 2006-Present by Missouri Trailblazing.com.  All Rights Reserved
Directions:  
Reading a road map for this general area is confusing for several reasons:  forest road
numbers don’t show up on all maps, many roads have been re-numbered, sometimes roads
are known by multiple names, and some named roads follow multiple forest roads or county
roads.  Below are the road names from Google and how the road is actually signed.  If there
is no road sign, any noticeable landmarks or other signs are noted.

Wrangler Trailhead:  From Poplar Bluff , take Hwy 67 north 10 miles, then turn west on
CR521 (aka Mustang Lane ) to cross Hwy 67.  This road was not marked with a sign but if
you miss it, you can go about ½ mile to the next Hwy 67 crossing).  Immediately turn north
on the outer road and follow for 0.7 miles to CR402 (formerly FR3117, also aka Pine Cone
Rd or Pine Cone Ridge Rd) and turn west.  (If you missed the first CR521 and went to the
next crossing, you would then turn south on the outer road to get to CR402.)  There is a
large sign at this intersection for Pine Cone Estates.  The road turns into gravel just past Pine
Cone Estates. Follow this road a total of 3.5 miles to the trailhead on the left.  There is a
large trailhead sign.
Brush Arbor/Walton Chapel Trailhead:  From Poplar Bluff , take Hwy 60 west for 18.4
miles to County Road 60-370/CR415 (directly across from Hwy B) and turn north.  Follow
for 0.8 miles to CR417 and turn left.  Go 3.0 miles to TH on left.  Trailhead sign says Brush
Arbor TH, OT map says Walton Chapel TH.
Upalika Pond Trailhead: Follow directions to Brush Arbor/Walton Chapel TH but
continue on CR417 (road name changes to CR427) for another 1.0 mile and turn right on
CR429.  (CR429 sign was missing when I was there last, but there was a MTNF Cane
Ridge walk-in turkey area sign.)  Follow CR429 0.2 miles to trailhead on left.  Trailhead sign
missing.
Brushy Creek Trailhead:  Drive 3 miles north of Ellsinore on Hwy V.  The trailhead is on
the west side of the road by Brushy Creek, before you cross over the bridge.  The turn-in is
not well marked and easy to pass up.  No trailhead sign but there are small Ozark Trail
markers and white diamonds on both sides of Highway V where the trail crosses the road.

GPS Co-ordinates:
Wrangler TH:  N36.89423 W-90.55161
Brush Arbor/Walton Chapel TH:  N36.92001 W-90.64948
Upalika Pond TH:  N36.93512 W-90.63269
Brushy Creek TH:  N36.97287 W-90.74556

Trailer Parking:
Wrangler Trailhead:  Moderate
Brush Arbor/Walton Chapel Trailhead:  Limited
Upalika Pond Trailhead:  Limited - Moderate
Brushy Creek Trailhead:  Moderate

Trail Maps:
Yes, call the number above or for a nice colored map to print out:
ozarktrail.com/maps.php
Large map of entire trail section (not suitable for printing)
www.ozarktrail.com/images/victorylarge.jpg

Miles of Trails:
18 miles linear trail, plus additional 6 miles for the Victory Horse Trail  

Season:
Year-round.
*Caution:  Open to hunters during hunting seasons.

Fees:
No day use or camping fees.

Equestrian Camping:
Yes, at the trailheads and primitive dispersed camping allowed.

Trail Notes:
There are hills to climb, downfalls and creeks to negotiate.  Trail is well marked with white
diamonds.  You may want to avoid this trail during hunting season because it is a favorite for
that.  A portion of this trail runs concurrent with part of the old Victory Horse Trail, and if
additional riding is desired, the Victory Horse Trail can be used to make a loop between
Wrangler Trailhead, Victory School Trailhead (see Victory Horse Trail for directions), and
back to the Ozark Trail somewhat west of the Wrangler Trailhead.  Victory Horse Trail can
be confusing due to prior tornado damage, becoming overgrown, and the trail following
forest roads in some areas.  Make sure to bring a map and compass if you’d like to
incorporate these trails in your ride.

Cart/Wagon Driving:
Not feasible on the actual trail, but there is a huge amount of gravel roads in the area that
could be driven on.

Water Available:
Drinking Water:  None available.
Water for horses:  Creeks.  Water is located near all trailheads except Wrangler.

Other Facilities:
Wrangler Trailhead and Brushy Creek Trailhead:  Hitching rails.
No facilities available at any of the other trailheads.

Other Activities:
Hiking, camping, backpacking, mountain biking and hunting.

Other Services:
Car Care, groceries, & restaurants:  Poplar Bluff, about 10 miles southeast from
     Wrangler Trailhead Ellsinore, about 3 miles south from Brushy Creek Trailhead.
Feed and Tack:  Orscheln Farm & Home
              Poplar Bluff
              1-573-778-1200

Emergency Information:
Cell Phone Signal:  Limited to none.
Butler County Sheriff:  1-573-785-8444
Wayne County Sheriff:  1-573-224-3319
Hospital:   Doctors Regional Medical Center
               Poplar Bluff
              1-573-686-4111
Veterinarian:  Dr. Kathy Hicks, DVM
                     Poplar Bluff
                     1-573-686-1281
Pictures to
be added somday.
If this information was helpful to you, please help support Missouri Trailblazing:
We Thank you!!!
*Trail Alert: Open during hunting seasons so please use caution.
Location:
Butler & Wayne Counties

Trail Manager:
Ozark Trail Coordinator
Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102

US Forest Service
Poplar Bluff District Office
1420 Maud St
Poplar Bluff , MO 63901

Phone:
1-800-334-6946  Ozark Trail Coordinator
1-573-785-1475 USFS – Poplar Bluff Office

Website:
Missouri DNR
www.mostateparks.com
Ozark Trail Association
www.ozarktrail.com
ozarktrail.com/victory.php

This website is a good planner for trips on the Ozark Trail by
type of activity, desired length of time on trail, and desired
difficulty.
ozarktrail.com/planner/index.php
USFS
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/recreation/hiking/