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Missouri
56

Missouri State Parks

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USA Parks
Missouri
Southwest Region
Roaring River State Park
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Roaring River State Park © Jeff Wardeska
Roaring River State Park © Jeff Wardeska
Roaring River State Park © Jeff Wardeska
Roaring River State Park © Jeff Wardeska
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ROARING RIVER STATE PARK
ROARING RIVER STATE PARK
12716 Farm Road 2239
Cassville, Missouri   65625

Phone: 417-847-2539
Toll Free: 800-334-6946
Reservations: 877-422-6766
Email: park email button icon
With its narrow valley, rugged, mountainlike terrain and deep blue spring, Roaring River State Park is breathtaking.

Roaring River is known for its premier trout fishing. Young and old alike will enjoy feeding and watching the fish in the spring pool or taking a tour of the trout hatchery. Other park features include a swimming pool, shaded picnic area and store.

Explore the natural wonders of the park on foot or bicycle via one of seven trails totaling over 10 miles. Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center exhibits interpretive displays and park naturalists present programs on the park's natural history.

Overnight guests have a variety of options. Campers will find 187 campsites ranging from basic to electric hookup. The elegant Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center features 26 guest rooms, a restaurant, gift shop and meeting rooms. Twenty-six secluded, rustic cabins with kitchens are perfect for families. Reservations for the inn and cabins are required.

Whether coming to fish, hike or relax by the pool, Roaring River State Park has something for everyone that will whet their appetite to return again and again.
Lodge
Emory Melton Inn is a stunning facility consisting of large, elegant, yet comfortable rooms and suites. The rooms are decorated with rustic flair and a few feature a spectacular private balcony view of the river valley below. Rooms are available March through October. Reservations are required.

The 2006 rates for Inn rooms range from $84 to $89 nightly, while the cabins range from $94 to $109 nightly. Applicable taxes will apply. For more information or to make a reservation, please call (417) 847-2330. Reservations are not accepted by e-mail.
Camping
Roaring River SP Campground Information

Roaring River State Park offers basic and electric campsites. Services available include reservable sites, a dump station, showers, water and laundry.

Campground 1 is open year-round. Campgrounds 2 and 3 are closed November through Feb. 24.

For reservations, there is a required two-night minimum stay for weekends and major holidays from May 15 through Sept. 15.

Group Camp

Camp Smokey, the park?s organized group camp is available to a variety of non-profit organizations, Missouri youth groups and for special occasions such as family reunions and wedding receptions. The camp includes a dining lodge and kitchen, sleeping quarters and a recreation hall. Camps must be reserved well in advance for use from April 15 to Oct. 15. Please contact the park office at (417) 847-2539 for application procedures.
Meeting Rooms
The conference facility is made up of four separate meeting rooms located inside the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center. It is ideal for any type of banquet including conferences, weddings, retreats and family reunions.
Swimming
The swimming pool, located across from the park office, is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. The pool is open to all park visitors at a nominal fee.
Fishing
Fishing:

Roaring River, stocked regularly by the park?s hatchery, which is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, is known for its premier trout fishing. Fishing licenses and tags are available in the CCC Lodge, which also sells fishing equipment, tackle, camping supplies and groceries. Take your catch-of-the-day to the park?s cleaning and fillet station and enjoy fresh fish for your next meal.


Location
Roaring River State Park is located near Springdale

Picnicking
There are over 50 picnic sites scattered throughout the park and a children?s playground facility located in the main picnic area. Two picnic shelters can also be reserved for large family gatherings or special outings. Both shelters are covered and can accommodate up to 75 guests. The shelters include outdoor grills, picnic tables, electrical outlets and restroom facilities. Contact the park office at (417) 847-2539 in advance to reserve the shelters at a rate of $40 per day. If not reserved, the shelters are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trails
If it is the more remote and less-used portions of Roaring River State Park you wish to visit, you are invited to do so by using one of several hiking trails through the area. The trails are open year-round for a hike on a snowy day, tour of the spring wildflowers or a trek through the colorful autumn forest. Regardless of the seasons, you are sure to have an enjoyable experience.

River Trail - .7 mile : Running parallel to Roaring River between the CCC lodge and Campground 3, this trail is an example of the trail work done in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Wildflower displays are outstanding along this trail in the spring.

Devil?s Kitchen - 1.5 miles : This trail?s name is derived from an odd rock outcrop that formed a roomlike enclosure. This room, which has since collapsed, according to legend was used as a hideout by Civil War guerrillas. Entry and exit points for the trail are located near the junction of Highway 112 and the hatchery road, and in the small picnic area across from the CCC lodge. The trail is marked with blue and yellow arrows. A self-guided interpretive brochure for this trail is available at the nature center and the park office.

Pibern Trail - 1.5 miles : A variety of different habitats, including both dry and moist limestone forests, tall bluffs, north- and south-facing slopes, and a small Ozark stream are traversed by this trail. Access points can be found at the north end of Campground 1 and on the right across the bridge to the private campground. The trail is marked with orange arrows.

Eagle?s Nest Trail - 2.3 miles : This trail is located on the south side of Roaring River near Campground 2. It begins behind campsite 81 and follows the 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. The trail is marked with yellow and green arrows.

Deer Leap Trail - .2 mile : This short trail leads to an overlook and boardwalk above the fish hatchery and the spring that is the head of Roaring River. From the overlook, you may be able to see the axle from an undershot waterwheel that powered a gristmill operation in the mid-19th century. Access points to the trail are located next to the waterfall and near the sidewalk that leads to the spring.

Fire Tower Trail - 3.5 miles : There are three access points to this trail: one from near the nature center along Hwy. F, one at the wild area parking lot on Highway F, and one off Deer Leap Trail. The old lookout tower, about 1.5 miles from the nature center, was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s as an observation platform. The entire trail is located in Roaring River Hills Wild Area. This area offers rugged Ozark terrain, dense hardwood forests and open dolomite glades. The trail is excellent for birders and photographers. The trail is identified with yellow and brown arrows.

Springhouse Trail - .5 mile : Access to this trail can be found in the southwest corner of the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center parking lot. The trail passes through a dry-mesic forest with a variety of trees and wildflowers. The trail passes by an old homestead site, below the upper level, with a springhouse that was used to keep food cold by using the natural cool temperature of the spring water that passed through the rock layer structure.
Nature Programs
Park naturalists conduct regularly scheduled nature programs everyday during the summer season. Morning and evening programs include slide shows and movies, nature hikes and much more. Contact the park naturalist at (417) 847-3742 for information regarding interpretive programs.
Birding
The park offers abundant birding opportunities with over 150 species recorded. It's home to various habitats attracting diverse birds, including warblers and vireos during migration season. Birders can explore three different trails: Devil's Kitchen Trail, Deer Leap Trail, and River Trail for varied sightings. The spring-fed river attracts waterfowl like ducks and herons while the forested areas are perfect for spotting woodland species such as owls or woodpeckers.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
May 15 I LOVE ROARING RIVER! by BLONDNDAGWOOD
park review stars; one to five I HAVE BEEN COMING HERE FOR ALMOST 30 YRS. IT IS SO PEACEFUL, AND FISHING IS GREAT! HOPE TO CATCH THE BIG TROUT THIS YR. COMING BACK, THIS WEEKEND;
May 23 GREAT PARK. by MIKE T.
park review stars; one to five I HAVE FISHED ROARING RIVER FOR ALMOST 50 YAERS.MY FIRST TIME TO FISH WAS IN 1960.I COME BACK EVERY YEAR SEVERAL TIMES.I LIVE IN TEXAS NEAR DALLAS.
February 5 by eileen earl
park review stars; one to five we really enjoyed our stay and we have been back several times just to visit the fish hatchery and hike the trail aound it
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Area Campgrounds
Roaring River State Park
12716 Farm Road 2239
Cassville, MO
417-847-2539
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Directions
From Springfield : Roaring River State Park is 65 miles from Springfield. Travel west on U.S. Hwy. 60 for 39 miles to Monett. Turn left/south onto Hwy. 37 and continue for 19 miles to Cassville. Take Hwy. 76/86 west through Cassville to Hwy. 112. Travel south on Hwy. 112 for seven miles to the park entrance.

From Joplin : Roaring River State Park is 66 miles from Joplin. Travel east on I-44 to Exit 26/Sarcoxie. Take Hwy. 37 south for 42 miles to Cassville. Take Hwy. 76/86 east through Cassville to Hwy. 112. Travel south on Hwy. 112 for seven miles to the park entrance.

From Rogers, Ark. : Roaring River State Park is 28 miles from Rogers, Ark. Travel north on U.S. Hwy. 62 for 15 miles to Garfield, Ark.; turn north onto Hwy. 37. Continue on Hwy. 37 for four miles to Seligman; turn right onto Hwy. 112. Travel nine miles east on Hwy. 112 to the park entrance.

From Eureka Springs, Ark. : Roaring River State Park is 20 miles from Eureka Springs, Ark. Travel north on Hwy. 23 for 10 miles to Eagle Rock; turn west onto Hwy. 86. Continue on Hwy. 86 for six miles to Route F. Turn left onto Route F and continue west for four miles to the park entrance.

From Branson : Roaring River State Park is 50 miles from Branson. Travel south on U.S. Hwy. 65 for seven miles. Turn right/west onto Hwy. 86 and continue on through Eagle Rock. Turn left onto Route R and continue west for four miles to the park entrance.

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Missouri
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Missouri State Parks

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