Park Trails

Fire Tower Trail

This trail goes up hill on a gravel road. There are three forks along the road. The first right leads to the power line, so continue to the left of the fork. The next fork to the left will take you south along Miller’s Ridge and the second left is an old road that continues into the Mudlick Mountain Valley below. This old road is used as trail that connects into Mudlick Trail. Fire Tower Trail continues uphill, past spectacular vistas and ends at the Mudlick Fire Tower. The tower was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1936 at the highest point of Mudlick Mountain, 1,313 feet above sea level. The tower is 85 feet tall, giving an unobstructed and glorious view of the surrounding countryside. The tower is currently used to spot “smokes” but is closed to the general public due to the risk of personal injury. The road is closed to all but authorized vehicles, so there is little to no traffic along this trail. 

Mudlick Trail: Equestrian/Hike Section

This trail provides an intimate journey into the St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest mountain regions of North America. This loop trail can be challenging at times, climbing from 415 feet above sea level in Big Creek Valley to 1,313 feet above sea level at the top of Mudlick Mountain. Most of the trail is located in the Mudlick Mountain Wild Area, one of the most significant, undisturbed natural landscapes in Missouri. Mudlick Trail is broke into two separate sections - the “Equestrian and Hike” and the “Hike Only." 

Overnighters can easily access the "Equestrian and Hike" section from their campsite or the main trailhead is located at the Equestrian Day-Use Area. From here, Mudlick Trail begins by ascending the foot of Mudlick Mountain and continues across the eastern, rocky slopes, over Millers Ridge and through one of the most significant remaining old-growth forests of the St. Francois Mountain, where virgin white oaks, black oaks and pine exist. Roughly two miles into the hike or ride, you will intersect a .25-mile spur that leads to the park’s fire tower. The fire tower is closed to the general public, but the area still offers picturesque views and a great place to rest. Continuing north another .50-mile, you will find yourself at Mudlick Hollow/Hollow Pass Intersection. Mudlick Hollow is accessible to hikers only due to rough/steep terrain not safe for equestrian passage. Mudlick Hollow is also where backpack camp #1 can be found. Equestrian riders, as well as hikers wishing to bypass Mudlick Hollow, should continue east along the Hollow Pass portion of the trail. Next, you will begin the gradual climb to the summit of Green Mountain. The view from Green Mountain is best during the fall and winter when the trees in the thick oak-hickory forest have shed their leaves. From the southern end of Green Mountain, the trail descends rapidly, via a series of 'switchbacks into Logan Creek valley. A dense stand of red cedar grows in the valley, providing a cool shaded corridor for the trail. A second spur at this point leads you to backpack camp #2 for overnight hikers. Once through the valley, the trail begins a steady climb to the top of Mudlick Mountain, where you can take Miller’s Ridge north back to the day-use area completing the main loop or continue on the four-mile campground spur that takes hikers to campground #1 and equestrian riders to the Equestrian Campground. 

In addition, White Connectors 1 and 2 can be accessed along the “Equestrian and Hike” section of Mudlick Trail.  These connectors can be used to shorten or diversify hikes/rides.

Mudlick Trail: Hike Only Section

Starting at the "Hike Only" trailhead, after hiking .3 mile, you will come to a three-way intersection. At this point, you can travel one of two ways. You can take the South Linear Section, which descends the rugged eastern slope of Mudlick Mountain and connects with the southern portion of the “Equestrian and Hike” section of Mudlick Trail.  Or, you can take the North Linear Section that ascends the bluffs above Big Creek, where three stone hiking shelters, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offer outstanding views of the surrounding countryside and the 'shut-ins' valley below. Continuing north, you will have the opportunity to access Mudlick Hollow. Mudlick Hollow is a shut-in in the Mudlick Creek headwaters, which has little pools, rare plants, and small waterfalls, which may dry to a trickle in the summer. The trail crosses the creek three times and it can be difficult to traverse during high water. There is also a spur to backpack camp #1 for overnight hikers. You will eventually make your way out of Mudlick Hollow to connect with the northern portion of the “Equestrian and Hike” section of Mudlick Trail.

Paved Bicycle Trail

This paved trail is one-way and extends from campground #1 to the park store. Bicyclists, hikers, skate boarders and roller skaters are permitted on the trail. Motorized vehicles, except motorized wheelchairs, and horses are not allowed. Visitors use this trail to walk or ride their bicycles along the picturesque Big Creek and to access park amenities, such as the campgrounds, visitor center, park store, picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking trails and dining lodge. 

Shut-Ins Trail

Majestic sweet gums, sycamores and cottonwoods surround this scenic stretch of trail, along with the rich vegetation, rushing water cascading over boulders in the spring and the unique yellowwood tree. Close to the end of the trail, there is the option of stopping off at the Big Creek shut-ins for a swim, turning around for the return trip, or heading up to a stone shelter where the trail connects to Mudlick Trail.