Social Distancing In The Great Outdoors In Stone County
July 1, 2020
Isaac Estes-Jones
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage around the world and the United States, social distancing is still being actively encouraged as a way to help slow the spread. One great way to remain socially distanced without feeling trapped at home is to visit one of the several natural areas in our county. Stone County is home to many Missouri Department of Conservation areas, portions of the Mark Twain National Forest and, of course, Table Rock Lake and all of its tributaries, providing ample opportunities to get out of the house and outside into the fresh air without too increased a risk of exposure to the disease.
In northern Stone County, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has several conservation areas. Just northeast of Hurley is the Hayes Spring Conservation Area. This conservation area is just over 100 acres and was purchased in 2005. There is a short hiking trail through the area, which includes Hayes Spring itself and the Hayes Spring cave. This trail does cross Hayes Spring, so be prepared to get wet if you decide to head out that way. From the parking area, the trail wanders through forest and field less than half a mile to the spring crossing. From there, it is unclear from online resources exactly how far the trail continues as this reporter walked the trail without preparing to get wet in the crossing. The walking trail travels along Dry Crane Creek before reaching Hayes Spring.
To reach Hayes Spring Conservation Area from Hurley, take Route A east 1.50 miles, then Twilight Drive east 1.30 miles, and Hayes Spring Road south 0.50 miles to the parking area on the left.
Also in the north end of the county is Wire Road Conservation Area, just west of Crane. According to MDC, this 1,000 plus acre tract of land includes around 3.7 miles of Crane Creek. There are around four miles of hiking trails in the largest section of the conservation area. One mile of this trail system is restricted to hiking only and travels along Crane Creek. The remainder of the trails are open to hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. It is important to note that horses are strictly forbidden from entering Crane Creek due to the fragility of that ecosystem.
Fishing in the creek is allowed following state-wide regulations with the following exceptions. Trout fishing is allowed only with flies and artificial lures. The daily limit for trout taken from Crane Creek is one fish at least 18 inches long. All trout less than 18 inches long must be returned to the creek unharmed, according to MDC documents.
A portion of the Trail of Tears as well as part of the Butterfield Stage Route pass through the area. “A major trail of some sort is thought to have existed on this area since Europeans first traveled in Stone County,” according to the MDC website for the area.
In addition to the large section with trails northwest of town, there is a smaller part of the conservation area within Crane city limits across the creek from the baseball fields. There is another small section located south of Crane off of Swinging Bridge Road. To get to the main section of Wire Road Conservation Area, take Highway 413 north 1.10 miles, then Old Wire Road west 1 mile to a parking lot on the north side of the road, or take Roundhouse Road out of Crane to the intersection with Old Wire Road and turn right to the parking lot and trail head.
Other outdoor MDC opportunities in the northern part of the county included Holland State Forest near Ponce De Leon and several accesses to the James River, Hootentown Access, H L Kerr access and Ralph Cox Memorial access.
Many of the outdoor activities in the southern half of Stone County are dominated by Table Rock Lake, an Army Corps of Engineers lake. Table Rock State Park is partially in Stone County, with most of the park in Taney County.
Just north of Carr Lane is the Pilot Knob Conservation Area, a 1,300 acre tract. There is a trail head off of Missouri Highway 39. This is a nearly seven mile trail that leads nearly to State Route H and the namesake Pilot Knob.
Ashe Juniper Natural Area is also maintained by MDC. It is a small, 30 acre tract north of Blue Eye off of JJ Highway, right on Table Rock Lake. However, be warned, there are no developed trails and very limited parking along side of the roadway. The road ends at a private drive, so be prepared to turn around if you visit this area. It is home to the native Ashe Juniper tree, which looks similar to a cedar tree, except the branches begin to grow out from the base of the tree.
The Army Corps of Engineers operates several public use areas and campgrounds along Table Rock Lake, including at Cape Fair, Mill Creek, Baxter, Indian Point, Old Highway 86 and Aunts Creek, plus public use areas in Shell Knob and the Big Bay recreation area.
The USDA Forest Service also operates several sites in Stone County as part of the Mark Twain National Forest. One of the largest areas operated by the Forest Service is Piney Creek Wilderness in Barry and Stone County. This is an 8,000 acre piece of land that includes over 13 miles of trails.
There are innumerable businesses located along the James River and Table Rock Lake that offer opportunities to float, fish and boat on the beautiful waterways throughout the county.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage around the world and the United States, social distancing is still being actively encouraged as a way to help slow the spread. One great way to remain socially distanced without feeling trapped at home is to visit one of the several natural areas in our county. Stone County is home to many Missouri Department of Conservation areas, portions of the Mark Twain National Forest and, of course, Table Rock Lake and all of its tributaries, providing ample opportunities to get out of the house and outside into the fresh air without too increased a risk of exposure to the disease.
In northern Stone County, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has several conservation areas. Just northeast of Hurley is the Hayes Spring Conservation Area. This conservation area is just over 100 acres and was purchased in 2005. There is a short hiking trail through the area, which includes Hayes Spring itself and the Hayes Spring cave. This trail does cross Hayes Spring, so be prepared to get wet if you decide to head out that way. From the parking area, the trail wanders through forest and field less than half a mile to the spring crossing. From there, it is unclear from online resources exactly how far the trail continues as this reporter walked the trail without preparing to get wet in the crossing. The walking trail travels along Dry Crane Creek before reaching Hayes Spring.
To reach Hayes Spring Conservation Area from Hurley, take Route A east 1.50 miles, then Twilight Drive east 1.30 miles, and Hayes Spring Road south 0.50 miles to the parking area on the left.
Also in the north end of the county is Wire Road Conservation Area, just west of Crane. According to MDC, this 1,000 plus acre tract of land includes around 3.7 miles of Crane Creek. There are around four miles of hiking trails in the largest section of the conservation area. One mile of this trail system is restricted to hiking only and travels along Crane Creek. The remainder of the trails are open to hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. It is important to note that horses are strictly forbidden from entering Crane Creek due to the fragility of that ecosystem.
Fishing in the creek is allowed following state-wide regulations with the following exceptions. Trout fishing is allowed only with flies and artificial lures. The daily limit for trout taken from Crane Creek is one fish at least 18 inches long. All trout less than 18 inches long must be returned to the creek unharmed, according to MDC documents.
A portion of the Trail of Tears as well as part of the Butterfield Stage Route pass through the area. “A major trail of some sort is thought to have existed on this area since Europeans first traveled in Stone County,” according to the MDC website for the area.
In addition to the large section with trails northwest of town, there is a smaller part of the conservation area within Crane city limits across the creek from the baseball fields. There is another small section located south of Crane off of Swinging Bridge Road. To get to the main section of Wire Road Conservation Area, take Highway 413 north 1.10 miles, then Old Wire Road west 1 mile to a parking lot on the north side of the road, or take Roundhouse Road out of Crane to the intersection with Old Wire Road and turn right to the parking lot and trail head.
Other outdoor MDC opportunities in the northern part of the county included Holland State Forest near Ponce De Leon and several accesses to the James River, Hootentown Access, H L Kerr access and Ralph Cox Memorial access.
Many of the outdoor activities in the southern half of Stone County are dominated by Table Rock Lake, an Army Corps of Engineers lake. Table Rock State Park is partially in Stone County, with most of the park in Taney County.
Just north of Carr Lane is the Pilot Knob Conservation Area, a 1,300 acre tract. There is a trail head off of Missouri Highway 39. This is a nearly seven mile trail that leads nearly to State Route H and the namesake Pilot Knob.
Ashe Juniper Natural Area is also maintained by MDC. It is a small, 30 acre tract north of Blue Eye off of JJ Highway, right on Table Rock Lake. However, be warned, there are no developed trails and very limited parking along side of the roadway. The road ends at a private drive, so be prepared to turn around if you visit this area. It is home to the native Ashe Juniper tree, which looks similar to a cedar tree, except the branches begin to grow out from the base of the tree.
The Army Corps of Engineers operates several public use areas and campgrounds along Table Rock Lake, including at Cape Fair, Mill Creek, Baxter, Indian Point, Old Highway 86 and Aunts Creek, plus public use areas in Shell Knob and the Big Bay recreation area.
The USDA Forest Service also operates several sites in Stone County as part of the Mark Twain National Forest. One of the largest areas operated by the Forest Service is Piney Creek Wilderness in Barry and Stone County. This is an 8,000 acre piece of land that includes over 13 miles of trails.
There are innumerable businesses located along the James River and Table Rock Lake that offer opportunities to float, fish and boat on the beautiful waterways throughout the county.