Recommendations in MO for a first trip.

[sdc]

One of my 13..almost 14yo daughters request for her birthday is a backpacking trip. We were originally thinking CO, but with limited time/recourses we are planning to go a little closer to home (NE Kansas).
We're looking hard at the Ozark Trail/Johnson shut in area in Southern MO.

Is there anyone with backpacking/hammocking experience in that area, and or have other suggestions?
We would like to be around running water, and away from people as much as possible...
Thanks for any thought!

[Boulderman]

I've been there, plenty of water and places to hang. Lots of people at the shut ins, but I didn't see many on the trail at all.

[Kutter]

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/m...telprdb5123002

Lindsey Mountain Trailhead
I find this to be a perfect spot for secluded camping. The trailhead is at the end of the road, but come back up the road about 100-150 yards and there is a perfect camping spot for both hammocks and tents. Room to park off the road and already has a nice fire ring set up. It's on the west side of the road on a little hump. Only had one other vehicle go by once, in several trips there.

[mo_hunter]

Bell Mountain off the Ozark Trail is beautiful. Great views and places to camp at the top. Only trouble is this time of the year you would have to pack water. Maybe water in the Padfield branch still. Great places to camp there as well. You would need to call a Missouri park office to make sure. It’s about 6 miles in I believe from hwy A trailhead. First pic is bell Mountain View. Second is by padfield branch.






http://www.ozarktrail.com/maps/line/Taum_Sauk.pdf




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[mo_hunter]

What about something in northern Arkansas. Maybe able to find something better. Just throwing that out there.


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[sdc]

Thanks for all of the responses so far all

mo_hunter- that thought just hit me also, because I can likely reach northern Arkansas in good time, I would assume there's likely trails near the white river area....

BTW- we're thinking the last weekend of October for the trip.

[mo_hunter]

I haven’t been to Arkansas yet. Planned on going last spring but didn’t work out. Sorry not much help with that. We ended up on the Ozark Trail because it’s only 3 hours from my house.


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[onesojourner]

Hercules glades is not big and grand but it has some really excellent features. There is plenty of water for drinking and if you go after a rain the falls are great. Your feet will get wet. You can make a loop with several distances. It makes a good weekend trip. The Buffalo River trail is probably our favorite in the area though.

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[Kutter]

FYI, the Lindsey Mountain Trailhead I mentioned is part of the above Bell Mountain Wilderness.

[sdc]

Starting to lean towards the buffalo river trail, hemmed in falls. That looks like good fishing and great scenery. It also looks like we could use an outfitting service to taxi us after the trip.