Park Trails

at Roaring River State Park

Deer Leap Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .20 Mile View map

Trail Rating: Rugged

Deer Leap Trail leads to an overlook and boardwalk above the fish hatchery and the spring at the head of Roaring River. From the overlook, it is easy to see the axle shaft from an undershot waterwheel that powered a gristmill in the mid-19th century. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the trail in the 1930s after harvesting the rocks used for the steps from the park. White connector 1 provides access to Fire Tower Trail.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Wood or stone steps
  • Steep grades and inclines more than 10 percent
  • Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail
  • Bridges and/or structural crossings
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.20 Mile 15 minutes Loop Green

By the sidewalk at the hatchery that goes up to Roaring River Spring

Devil's Kitchen Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 1.5 Miles View map

Trail Rating: Rugged

Devil’s Kitchen Trail’s name is derived from an odd rock outcrop that formed a roomlike enclosure. According to legend, this room, which has since collapsed, was used as a hideout by Civil War guerrillas. A self-guided interpretive brochure for this trail is available at the nature center and the park office.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Wood or stone steps
  • Steep grades and inclines more than 10 percent
  • Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail
  • Bridges and/or structural crossings
  • Water/stream crossings without bridges
  • Occasional water over trail
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.5 Miles 1 hour, 30 minutes Loop Red

In the small picnic area across from the Civilian Conservation Corps lodge

Eagle's Nest Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 2.75 Miles View map

Trail Rating: Rugged

Eagle’s Nest Trail follows Roaring 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. If accessing the trail from campground 3, cross the bridge at the service road.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Wood or stone steps
  • Steep grades and inclines more than 10 percent
  • Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail
  • Water/stream crossings without bridges
  • Occasional water over trail
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
2.75 Miles 2 hours, 45 minutes Loop Green

At the southeast corner of campground 2 just past campsite 94

Fire Tower Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 3.75 Miles View map

Trail Rating: Rugged

Most of Fire Tower Trail is located inside the 2,075-acre Roaring River Hills Wild Area and passes next to the Roaring River Cove Hardwood Natural Area. This area offers rugged Ozark terrain, dense hardwood woodlands, open dolomite glades and deep hollows. The views from its wildflower-filled natural meadows remain pure wilderness. The steep hillsides have extensive woodland belts that hide numerous stony bluffs, sheltered forest coves, springs and clear-water streams. The old lookout tower, about 1.5 miles from the nature center, was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This trail is excellent for birders and photographers.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Wood or stone steps
  • Steep grades and inclines more than 10 percent
  • Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail
  • Water/stream crossings without bridges
  • Occasional water over trail
  • Road/highway crossing
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
3.75 Miles 3 hours, 45 minutes Loop Brown 1) Along Highway F near the nature center; 2) In the wild area parking area on Highway F; 3) At the end of Campground 3

Pibern Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 1 Mile View map

Trail Rating: Moderate

Pibern Trail was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s while they were harvesting material for the construction of park features. A variety of habitats, including both dry and moist limestone woodlands, tall bluffs, north- and south-facing slopes and a small Ozark stream are features on this trail.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Wood or stone steps
  • Steep grades and inclines more than 10 percent
  • Bridges and/or structural crossings
  • Water/stream crossings without bridges
  • Occasional water over trail
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1 Mile 45 minutes, one way Linear Blue

At the north end of campground 1

River Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .70 Mile View map

Trail Rating: Moderate

River Trail runs parallel to Roaring River between the CCC Lodge and campground 3. This trail was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and is a good example of the trail work they completed. Wildflower displays are outstanding along this trail in the spring.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail
  • Occasional water over trail
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.70 Mile 30 minutes, one way Linear Yellow

Just south of the Civilian Conservation Corps lodge

Springhouse Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .40 Mile View map

Trail Rating: Moderate

Springhouse Trail passes through a dry-mesic wooded area with a variety of trees and wildflowers. It passes by the remains of a springhouse that was used to keep food cold by using the naturally cool temperature of the spring water that passed through the rock layer structure.

You may experience:

  • Natural surface, dirt, mud, gravel, shifting rocks, slippery surface, etc.
  • Rocks, roots and/or downed vegetation on trail        
  • Wood or stone steps
  • Steep grades and inclines more than 10 percent
  • Bluffs or drop-offs next to trail
  • Bridges and/or structural crossings
  • Occasional water over trail
Find the trailhead on the park map
Missouri State Parks Trail Rules and Etiquette
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.40 Mile 20 minutes Loop Orange

At the southwest corner of the Emory Melton Inn parking lot