DNR
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If it is the more remote and less-used portions of Roaring River State Park you wish to visit, you are invited to do so by using one of several hiking trails through the area. The trails are open year-round for a hike on a snowy day, tour of the spring wildflowers or a trek through the colorful autumn forest. Regardless of the seasons, you are sure to have an enjoyable experience.
River Trail - 0.7 mile - hiking
Running parallel to Roaring River between the CCC lodge
and Campground 3, this trail is an example of the
trail work done in the 1930s by the Civilian
Conservation Corps. Wildflower displays are outstanding along this trail in the spring.
Devil’s Kitchen - 1.5 miles - hiking and interpretive
This trail’s name is derived from an odd rock
outcrop that formed a roomlike enclosure. This
room, which has since collapsed, according to legend was used as a hideout by Civil War
guerrillas. Entry and exit points for the trail
are located near the junction of Highway 112 and the hatchery
road, and in the small picnic area across from the CCC lodge. The
trail is marked with blue and yellow arrows. A self-guided
interpretive brochure for this trail is available at the
nature center and the park office.
Pibern Trail - 1.5 miles - hiking
A variety of different habitats, including both dry and
moist limestone forests, tall bluffs, north- and south-facing
slopes, and a small Ozark stream are traversed by this
trail. Access points can be found at the north
end of Campground 1 and on the right across the bridge to the private campground. The trail is
marked with orange arrows.
Eagle’s Nest Trail - 2.3 miles - hiking
This trail is located on the south side of Roaring
River near Campground 2. It begins behind campsite 81 and
follows the river for some distance before ascending to one
of the highest points in the park. An old homestead was located where the lilac bushes and yucca are growing along the ridge. The trail is marked
with yellow and green arrows.
Deer Leap Trail - 0.2 mile - hiking
This short trail leads to an overlook and boardwalk
above the fish hatchery and the spring that is the head of
Roaring River. From the overlook, you may be able to see
the axle from an undershot waterwheel that powered a gristmill operation in the mid-19th
century. Access points to the trail are located next to the
waterfall and near the sidewalk that leads to the spring.
Fire Tower Trail - 3.5 miles - hiking
There are three access points to this trail: one
from near the nature center along Hwy. F, one at the wild area parking lot on Highway
F, and one off Deer Leap Trail. The old lookout tower, about
1.5 miles from the nature center, was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s as an observation platform.
The entire trail is located in Roaring River Hills Wild
Area. This area offers rugged Ozark terrain, dense hardwood
forests and open dolomite glades. The trail is excellent for birders and photographers. The trail is
identified with yellow and brown arrows.
Springhouse Trail - 0.5 mile - hiking
Access to this trail can be found in the southwest corner of the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center parking lot. The trail passes through a dry-mesic forest with a variety of trees and wildflowers. The trail passes by an old homestead site, below the upper level, with a springhouse that was used to keep food cold by using the natural cool temperature of the spring water that passed through the rock layer structure.
