Directions:
From Springfield , take Hwy 65 south to the Hwy F exit, turn east (left). Road becomes
Hwy 14. Follow through town and at intersection of Hwy 14 and Hwy 125, go straight
ahead (becomes Hwy 125). Follow Hwy 125 x miles to Forest Road 533 where you will
find the entrance sign to the Bar-K Wrangler Camp on the left. Follow the road to the
bottom of the hill. If you get to the town of Garrison, you,'ve missed the turn.
GPS Co-ordinates:
Swan Creek Campground N36.86842 W93.00594
Swan Creek Overlook N36.87949 W-92.98816
Trailer Parking:
Extensive
Trail Maps:
Simple Colored Map
Miles of Trails:
20 miles of multiple loops.
Season:
Year-round.
*Caution. Open to hunters during hunting seasons.
Fees:
No day use or camping fees.
Equestrian Camping:
Yes, at the Bar-K Wrangler Camp and primitive dispersed camping. There are several fields
adjoining the main camping area that can be used.
Trail Notes:
Most of the trails are across Swan Creek from the camp ground, but some of the trail is on
the same side of Swan Creek as the camp ground. There are more miles of trail than
officially listed, and a lot of riding on the east side of the creek around the camping area.
Don't cross Swan Creek during high water. Swan Creek is prone to flash flooding and can
flood the whole lower campground. Mostly wooded with a few glades mixed in, there are
some stream crossings and steep hills. The interior trails are very rocky, including large rock
ledges to jump on and off of to follow the trail. There are also some very nice overlooks on
these steeper, rockier trails. The trail is marked sparingly and there are several trails
not marked on the map so carry a map and compass. If you do get lost, follow any
drainage west and you will be back to Swan Creek. Swan Creek has a small horseshoe
shaped waterfall at the upper end of the campground area. There is abundant wildlife
in the area – I saw or heard deer, raccoons, turkey, coyotes, red squirrels, owls, and
several birds. Christian County is one of the counties with the highest black bear
population in Missouri , so there are also potentially black bear in this area (information
about black bears is tacked up on the MTNF kiosk in the campground.) Please see this
link for more information. mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/info/
Cart/Wagon Driving:
There is some road riding and open fields to drive on in the camping areas, but the trail
itself is mostly single track and too rugged, so it wouldn't be suitable for carts or wagons.
Water Available:
Drinking Water: Not available
Water for horses: Creeks and streams.
Other Facilities:
Toilets, picnic tables, and pull through parking (open fields in general).
Other Activities:
Hiking, camping, mountain biking, nature study, photography, hunting and fishing.
Other Services:
Car Care, groceries & restaurants: Springfield, 30 miles north.
Feed: MFA Feed
Springfield
417-866-7717
Tack: PFI Western Store
Springfield
417-866-7717
Emergency Information:
Cell Phone Signal: Limited to none
Christian County Sheriff: 1-417-485-3836
Hospital: Springfield Community Hospital
Springfield
1-417-882-4700
Veterinarian: Spragg Veterinarian Clinic
Rogersville
1-417-753-2417
From Springfield , take Hwy 65 south to the Hwy F exit, turn east (left). Road becomes
Hwy 14. Follow through town and at intersection of Hwy 14 and Hwy 125, go straight
ahead (becomes Hwy 125). Follow Hwy 125 x miles to Forest Road 533 where you will
find the entrance sign to the Bar-K Wrangler Camp on the left. Follow the road to the
bottom of the hill. If you get to the town of Garrison, you,'ve missed the turn.
GPS Co-ordinates:
Swan Creek Campground N36.86842 W93.00594
Swan Creek Overlook N36.87949 W-92.98816
Trailer Parking:
Extensive
Trail Maps:
Simple Colored Map
Miles of Trails:
20 miles of multiple loops.
Season:
Year-round.
*Caution. Open to hunters during hunting seasons.
Fees:
No day use or camping fees.
Equestrian Camping:
Yes, at the Bar-K Wrangler Camp and primitive dispersed camping. There are several fields
adjoining the main camping area that can be used.
Trail Notes:
Most of the trails are across Swan Creek from the camp ground, but some of the trail is on
the same side of Swan Creek as the camp ground. There are more miles of trail than
officially listed, and a lot of riding on the east side of the creek around the camping area.
Don't cross Swan Creek during high water. Swan Creek is prone to flash flooding and can
flood the whole lower campground. Mostly wooded with a few glades mixed in, there are
some stream crossings and steep hills. The interior trails are very rocky, including large rock
ledges to jump on and off of to follow the trail. There are also some very nice overlooks on
these steeper, rockier trails. The trail is marked sparingly and there are several trails
not marked on the map so carry a map and compass. If you do get lost, follow any
drainage west and you will be back to Swan Creek. Swan Creek has a small horseshoe
shaped waterfall at the upper end of the campground area. There is abundant wildlife
in the area – I saw or heard deer, raccoons, turkey, coyotes, red squirrels, owls, and
several birds. Christian County is one of the counties with the highest black bear
population in Missouri , so there are also potentially black bear in this area (information
about black bears is tacked up on the MTNF kiosk in the campground.) Please see this
link for more information. mdc.mo.gov/landown/wild/nuisance/bear/info/
Cart/Wagon Driving:
There is some road riding and open fields to drive on in the camping areas, but the trail
itself is mostly single track and too rugged, so it wouldn't be suitable for carts or wagons.
Water Available:
Drinking Water: Not available
Water for horses: Creeks and streams.
Other Facilities:
Toilets, picnic tables, and pull through parking (open fields in general).
Other Activities:
Hiking, camping, mountain biking, nature study, photography, hunting and fishing.
Other Services:
Car Care, groceries & restaurants: Springfield, 30 miles north.
Feed: MFA Feed
Springfield
417-866-7717
Tack: PFI Western Store
Springfield
417-866-7717
Emergency Information:
Cell Phone Signal: Limited to none
Christian County Sheriff: 1-417-485-3836
Hospital: Springfield Community Hospital
Springfield
1-417-882-4700
Veterinarian: Spragg Veterinarian Clinic
Rogersville
1-417-753-2417
| Swan Creek Trail Mark Twain National Forest |
| Copyright 2006-Present Missouri Trailblazing.com. All Rights Reserved |
Location:
Christian County
Trail Manager:
Mark Twain National Forest
Ava Ranger District
P.O. Box 188
Ava, MO65608
Phone:
1-417-683-4428
Website:
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/recreation/hiking
Christian County
Trail Manager:
Mark Twain National Forest
Ava Ranger District
P.O. Box 188
Ava, MO65608
Phone:
1-417-683-4428
Website:
www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/recreation/hiking
| Pictures Coming Someday! |
| 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. |
