Big Piney River - Mile-By-Mile Description
0.0 Baptist Camp Access. Low-water bridge. No ramp.
3.5 Tone Hogan Ford on county road. Access.
8.7 Dog's Bluff Access on left, on Hwy 17.
12.4 Brushy Creek on right.
13.2 Blankenship Cave in end of bluff on right is merely a rock shelter. This is the Horseshoe Bend area.
14.6 Mineral Springs Access on right, off Hwy 63 at Houston, West of Oak Hill Drive, west on Forest Drive and north on Mineral Drive. Mineral Spring 0.5 mile up branch.
14.8 Mineral Springs Ford. Access in dry weather.
15.3 Cathcart Hollow on right.
16.9 Burton Branch on left.
18.7 Bell Bluff on left.
19.3 Sandy Shoals Ford. Sand Shoals Road connects Hwy. E on the east to Hwy AA on the west.
21.5 Arthur Creek on right.
24.8 Steam Mill Hollow Creek on left.
25.8 Boiling Spring Access on right. Spring is at river level on left and has a flow of about 10 million gallons a day. Private campground. A good road crosses the river here on a concrete lowwater "bridge." This is a local swimming hole. River quite slow from here to Hwy. 32.
27.7 Narrow Gap Bluff on left.
29.0 Burnett Spring on left.
29.8 Boone Creek on right.
31.8 Mason Bridge Access on right on Mason Bridge Road. Gravel ramp.
34.9 Falling Springs up right bank.
36.1 Hazelton Spring, off river to left, is not open to public. Site of old grist mill. Private access on right.
38.8 Paddy Creek on left. U.S. Forest Service campground one mile up creek.
39.8 Forest Service Slabtown access and camp.
40.8 Slabtown Spring branch enters on right but is posted.
44.7 Blooming Rose Camp.
46.7 National Forest camp and access at Horse Camp on left.
50.0 Six Crossings. Not public access.
52.2 Pine Bluff on right is more than 200 feet tall.
52.7 A pipe crosses the river bottom at right angles to the current sometimes causing a roller wave, but paddle boats go over it easily. just downstream, on left is the mouth of Bald Ridge Hollow and a road.
54.7 Ross Access on right, just below Ross bridge. This is last practical take-out before entering Fort Leonard Wood. Gravel access.
57.7 Miller Spring Branch on left. The spring, 0.3 mile up the branch, is an ebbing-andflowing spring, of which there are few in Missouri. The rate of flow may fluctuate from 5 million gallons to two or three times that much during a single day.
59.9 Enter military reservation. Both sides of the river are within Fort Wood from here to mile 60.2.
61.8 Low rock dam at water plant intake. Do not run in boat! Portage.
61.9 Concrete bridge to golf course on right, and other post recreation areas.
64.7 Stone Mill Spring and Officer's Picnic Area on right. The spring's flow is around 10 million gallons a day.
66.2 Concrete dam backs up water for about a mile. Channel cuts around dam to left. Dangerous obstructions! Portage. Use caution.
66.5 Bridge. Good access with limited parking on right bank. East Gate Fort Wood Campground on left bank.
66.8 National Forest access on right bank.
68.9 Leave reservation. Land on left is still within reservation.
69.3 Spring Creek enters on right.
69.6 Hwy. J parallels river on right along Spring Creek Bluff.
80.0 Shanghai Spring (Blue Spring), 500 feet up branch at left, is comparable in size to the other large springs along the Piney. The spring is on private grounds but may be viewed from the road.
81.4 Army railroad bridge.
82.4 Hwy. V Bridge. Devil's Elbow. No access.
82.9 Old Hwy. 66 bridges. Private access on left bank below bridge.
83.2 1-44 bridges. No access.
85.7 Junction with Gasconade River. Private access on right. Lodging, refreshments and parking available.
Spring Creek
Spring Creek is one of only 5 publicly accessible streams in Missouri considered a Wild Trout Management Area, populated entirely by wild, streambred rainbow trout. No trout have been stocked here for several decades. Missouri Department of Conservation fishing regulations for the Blue Ribbon Trout category apply on Spring Creek from Relfe Spring to its junction with the Big Piney River.
Fishing: To fish in this area, you must have a valid Missouri fishing permit, plus a trout permit if you possess trout. Spring Creek feeds into the Big Piney River, which features small-mouth bass and goggle-eye, and is used for floating and fishing. Limit of 1 trout with minimum length of 18 inches. Only flies and artificial baits may be used; soft plastic lures are specifically prohibited, as are scents. No gigging is allowed. Fishing with live or "natural" bait is forbidden.This is a Blue Ribbon Trout Management Area.
Spring Creek is a small stream; fish from the bank or wade in the water.
Spring Creek, in association with other trout streams in the area on national forest lands such as the Little Piney Creek, Mill Creek and Stone Mill Spring Branch, provides anglers unique trout opportunities in the central Ozarks.
How to get here:
Leave Interstate 44 at the Hwy J interchange and head south on Hwy J eight miles to Spring Creek. Access the creek is about 100 feet past the junction of Hwy J and Hwy M at the sign Crossroads Access. There a parking area with a trail leading west which takes you to Spring Creek.
Stone Mill Spring - White Ribbon Trout Management Area
Stone Mill Spring is located off Sate Highway J in Southeastern Pulaski County
Area Map
How to get there:
Dog's Bluff Access is on Highway 17 and 3 miles west of Highway 63.
| Facilities |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
1 |
| Parking Lot |
1 with 1 accessible |
| Picnic Table |
2 |
| Privy/Restroom |
1 with 1 accessible |
| Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
1 |
| Additional Info. about Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
0.2 miles |
| Activities |
Comment |
| Fishing - Other |
Suckers Good |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good |
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good |
Area Map
How to get there:
Mineral Springs Access is 1 mile west of Highway 63 at the Houston City limits on Oak Hill Drive then 1 mile west on Forrest Drive and 2 miles north on Mineral Drive.
| Land Cover |
| Forest Land |
6.65 acres |
| Facilities |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
1 |
| Parking Lot |
1 |
| Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
1 |
| Additional Info. about Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
0.1 miles |
| Activities |
Comment |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair |
| Fishing - Other |
Suckers Good |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good |
| Canoeing |
Area Map
How to get there:
Southwest of Licking, 7 miles west of Hwy 63 on Rte BB to the Big Piney River.
| Land Cover |
| Old Field |
2 acres |
| Forest Land |
7 acres |
| Facilities |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete |
1 |
| Parking Lot |
2 with 1 accessible |
| Picnic Table |
4 |
| Privy/Restroom |
1 with 1 accessible |
| Activities |
Comment |
| Highlighted Activities |
Big Piney River is normally floatable below Boiling Spring year round. |
| Fishing - Other |
Suckers. Good |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Fair |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good |
| Canoeing |
|
Area Map
Baptist Camp Access - map
Driving Directions
Baptist Camp Access is 6 miles south of Houston on Highway 63 and 1 mile west on Route RA.
Highlights
This forest area offers access to Big Piney River. There is a picnic area.
General Information
Ozark
Texas
417-256-7161
Owned by MDC
Activities
Activity
(Activity Explanations) |
Comments
(Population Definition) |
| Canoeing |
|
| Fishing - Bass |
Good population. |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair population. |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair population. Suckers |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good population. |
| Other |
Picnic tables (3). |
Conservation Department Facilities
| Facility Item |
Name |
Count |
Comments |
| Parking Lotaccessible |
|
2 |
|
| Picnic Table |
|
3 |
|
| Privy/Restroomaccessible |
|
1 |
|
Features
| Feature Item |
Name |
Count |
Size |
Comments |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
1 |
0.80 miles |
|
Land Cover Types
| Land Type |
Acres |
Comments |
| Forest and Woodland |
5.00 |
|
| Total Area Acres: |
5.00 |
|
How to get there:
Mason Bridge Access is 6 miles west of Licking on Highway 32 then north on Mason Road.
| Land Cover |
| Forest Land |
7 acres |
| Facilities |
| Parking Lot |
1 |
| Privy/Restroom |
1 |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Other |
1 |
| Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
1 |
| Additional Info. about Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
0.1 miles |
| Activities |
Comment |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good |
| Fishing - Other |
Suckers Good |
| Canoeing |
Floatable year-round. |
Area Map
This recreation area is located adjacent to the scenic Big Piney River. It has a gravel boat/canoe launch, and there are parking spaces available for boat trailers. The picnic/camping area is accessible by a flight of steps. This area has 5 tables and fire rings. There is no drinking water available at this free-use recreation area. It is a good place for large groups to picnic or camp. Camping is permitted free.
Boat Launch: Gravel bar with parking spaces available.
Picnicking: You'll find 5 picnic tables, each with fire ring. No drinking water available. This area serves as a float camp for Big Piney River.
How to get here:
From Licking, MO take Hwy 32 west for 4 miles; turn north (right) on Hwy N for 2.5 miles, then right on Hwy AF for 6.5 miles.
Trail: The Slabtown Bluff Trail is a 2-mile loop hiking trail that begins and ends on the east bank of the Big Piney River at the Slabtown Picnic Area. It runs south along the river, winding below some picturesque bluffs: it climbs to the top of the bluffs and back to the beginning. Caution: Vegetation crowds the trail along the river: consider wearing long pants. At the trailhead, you’ll cross an intermittent tributary that passes through a grove of river birch trees with papery, peeling bark. As you hike, you will pass under pawpaw groves forming a green awning over the trail. The river attracts many kinds of wildlife, mink, raccoon, kingfishers and great blue herons. After passing through a patch of horsetail, you’ll find many moisture loving trees like persimmon and musclewood. As you climb the hill onto the rocky blufftop, bear right at a couple of places where the trail seems to fork. Large dolomite boulders lie scattered about, some weathered into flat topped pinnacles. As you arrive at the top, you will find views across the valley. Species that thrive in drier environments, like sassafras, post oak, and chinkapin oak become abundant. On the opposite ridge are sheer, white bluffs, where black mineral stains drape down their sides like curtains. Downstream, river bluff faces are pocketed with dark caves
Restrictions: foot travel only.
Distance: 2-mile loop
Hiking Time: 1 Hour
Safety: During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. Be advised of hunting seasons. Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.
Surface Type: Unsurfaced, native material
How to get there:
Peter A. Eck Conservation Area is 12 miles northwest of Licking in Texas County. To reach it by boat or canoe on the Big Piney River, watch for yellow MDC signs posted there. To reach it by road (a high clearance vehicle is recommended), from Highway 32 take Highway N northwest to Mooney Hollow Road (gravel), turn north and then northwest onto Eck Road which changes from a maintained gravel road to a dirt road.
| Land Cover |
| Forest Land |
370 acres |
| Features |
| Designated Natural Area |
1 |
| Stream - Permanent |
1 |
| Additional Info. about Features |
| Designated Natural Area |
Eck Memorial Natural Area |
265 count |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
0.75 miles |
| Activities |
Comment |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good |
| Fishing - Other |
Suckers Good |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good |
| Hunting-Deer |
firearms firing single projectile are prohibited Fair |
| Bird Watching |
|
| Canoeing |
No access from this area. |
| Hiking |
A short designated trail. Hiking is also permissible on old logging roads. |
| Hunting-Turkey |
Good |
Area Map
How to get there:
Ross Access is 2.5 miles west of Duke on County Road TT-820N.
| Land Cover |
| Forest Land |
4.48 |
| Facilities |
| Boat Ramp - Stream - Other |
1 |
| Parking Lot |
1 |
| Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
1 |
| Additional Info. about Features |
| Stream - Permanent |
Big Piney River |
0.05 miles |
| Activities |
Comment |
| Fishing - Bass |
Good |
| Fishing - Catfish |
Good |
| Fishing - Crappie |
Fair |
| Fishing - Other |
Fair |
| Fishing - Sunfish |
Good |
| Canoeing |
|
Area Map
2 miles west of Hwy J on East Gate Road at Fort Leonard Wood Boundary, Forest Service maintained gravel/dirt ramp.
Approx. 4 miles west of Hwy J on Forest Service Road 1730, Forest Service maintained gravel/dirt ramp.