Trails

Swampwalk Nature Trail

Open season: Year round
Length: 0.8 miles
Location of trail: On Bluff Road of MO-51, or down Bluff Trail from the visitor center
Surface: Raised boardwalk/asphalt
Difficulty: Low intensity
Information: Meanders through bottomland hardwood forest alongside Ditch 11 near Rockhouse Marsh just below the Visitor Center; wheelchair and stroller accessible

Bluff Trail

Open season: Year round
Length: 0.15 miles
Location of trail: Trailheads at visitor center and Bluff Road
Surface: Packed dirt and gravel, uneven
Difficulty: Moderate/High Intensity
Information: Connects the visitor center and the Swampwalk Nature Trial; a short, steep hike in upland hardwood forest

Hartz Pond Trail

Open season: Year round
Length: 0.2 miles
Location of trail: Trailhead is at the south side of the visitor center parking lot
Surface: Gravel
Difficulty: Low to moderate intensity
Information: Short loop trail to a small pond

Sweet Cabin Trail

Open season: March - November
Length: 0.8 miles round-trip
Location of trail: Near Stanley Creek on the Ozark Highlands Auto Tour
Surface: Packed dirt and gravel
Difficulty: Moderate intensity
Information: Backcountry hiking on the edge of the Mingo wilderness area wilderness area
Wilderness areas are places untamed by humans. The Wilderness Act of 1964 allows Congress to designate wilderness areas for protection to ensure that America's pristine wild lands will not disappear. Wilderness areas can be part of national wildlife refuges, national parks, national forests or public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Learn more about wilderness area
just north of Stanley Creek leading to a Great Depression-era cabin

Unofficial Trails

Levee tops, service roads and the wilderness area can also provide pleasant and longer hiking experiences.

Bluff Trail

Open year-round, the Bluff Trail connects the visitor center with the Swampwalk Nature Trail. Enjoy this short, steep hike on uneven hard-packed dirt and gravel through an upland hardwood forest.
Trail Length (mi)
0.14
Trail Difficulty
Difficulty Meter / Advanced
Hard
Route Type
Point to point
View Trail

Hartz Pond Trail

Open year-round, the Hartz Pond Trail is a short loop to a small pond.
Trail Length (mi)
0.18
Trail Difficulty
Difficulty Meter / introductory
Easy
Route Type
Loop
Suitability
Kid friendly
View Trail

Rockhouse Marsh Overlook Trail

Trail Length (mi)
0.10
View Trail

Schoolhouse Hunting Trail

Trail Length (mi)
0.23
View Trail

Swampwalk Nature Trail

Open year-round, the Swampwalk Nature Trail meanders through the bottomland hardwood forest alongside ditch 11 near Rockhouse Marsh just below the Visitor Center. The raised boardwalk and asphalt trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Trail Length (mi)
0.76
Trail Difficulty
Difficulty Meter / introductory
Easy
Route Type
Loop
Suitability
Kid friendly
Wheelchair friendly
View Trail

Sweet Cabin Trail

Open March thru November, the Sweet Cabin Trail offers backcountry hiking opportunities on the edge of the Mingo wilderness area just north of Stanley Creek leading to a Great Depression-era cabin.
Trail Length (mi)
0.38
Trail Difficulty
Difficulty Meter / intermediate
Moderate
View Trail

Visitor Center Overlook Trail

Trail Length (mi)
0.10
View Trail