In November of 2013, the State of Missouri acquired 330 acres in Shannon County along Sinking Creek near the Current River for $640,000. This property, formerly known as Camp Zoe, was sold at auction by the United States Department of Justice. The property is currently being developed.
The State also acquired 80 acres adjacent to the property for $450,000 to complete the park’s necessary design footprint.
Sinking Creek flows into the Current River approximately a quarter-mile from the park, allowing park visitors great opportunities to float the Current using the park as both a starting point and an ending point for their floats.
The property is bordered on the north and the east by the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry, approximately 64,000 acres of Pioneer Forest LLC, owned by the L-A-D Foundation, a foundation created by recently deceased conservationist Leo Drey and his wife Kay. The Foundation has donated a lease to the State of an extensive trail system through the Backcountry.
Developing the new park costs approximately $52 million, which is being paid out of several existing Missouri State Parks fund sources. Additionally, roughly $10 million of the cost for roads within and around the park, as well as a bridge across Sinking Creek, is being offset by a Community Development Block Grant received by the Shannon County Commission.
The new park will feature:
- An iconic lodge featuring accommodations for up to 78 guests, indoor and outdoor dining, meeting room space, and indoor and outdoor special event opportunities;
- 9 cabins of various sizes with full amenities and accommodations for up to 108 guests;
- 62 full-service camping sites with electrical and water service, 43 of which also have sanitary service;
- 4 acres of primitive camping/group camping with a group fire ring and restroom building;
- A bluff top event shelter which can accommodate 200 people for special events like weddings and reunions;
- An amphitheater with a 50-guest capacity for small/medium events with tiered seating and a dramatic natural backdrop;
- A signature vehicular and pedestrian bridge spanning 456 feet over Sinking Creek.
Construction at the park has continued on pace and is projected to be completed by summer of 2016.