This is a small, quiet access and camping area along the Big Piney River.

Slabtown is downriver from Mason Bridge, about 8 miles. This stretch is more
open and deeper.

Traveling downriver from Slabtown you can paddle or boat to Ross Bridge, a 10
mile trip. This section is faster and shallower. Between Ross Bridge and East
Gate, a 12-mile float, you will be floating through Fort Leonard Wood. Ross
Bridge will be the last take-out before you float through Fort Leonard Wood.

The 1-mile Slabtown Bluff Trail offers hiking along scenic bluffs overlooking
the Big Piney River and surrounding bluffs and rock outcrops.

<p>This is a small, quiet access and camping area along the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=21786">Big Piney River.</a></p><p>Slabtown is downriver from Mason Bridge, about 8 miles. This stretch is more open and deeper.</p><p>Traveling downriver from Slabtown you can paddle or boat to Ross Bridge, a 10 mile trip. This section is faster and shallower. Between Ross Bridge and <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=21814">East Gate</a>, a 12-mile float, you will be floating through Fort Leonard Wood. Ross Bridge will be the last take-out before you float through Fort Leonard Wood.</p><p>The 1-mile Slabtown Bluff Trail offers hiking along scenic bluffs overlooking the Big Piney River and surrounding bluffs and rock outcrops.</p>

Bird's eye view of the campground

Slabtown Recreation Area

This campground is near the Paddy Creek Wilderenss Area.  It is just a short
drive or walk from the Paddy Creek Recreation Area's picnic and day use site.
At the day-use site, there is a trailhead to enter into the Paddy Creek
Wilderness Area.  

The campground is usually open from April 1 through December 1 each year.

This area is perfectly located one hour southwest of Rolla and only an hour
drive from Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, Paddy Creek Campground is nestled in a
hollow along Paddy Creek, a major tributary to Big Piney River, just a few
miles away.  Paddy Creek flows year-round and is a crystal clear, wading creek
with a few swimming holes. This is one of the most scenic areas on the Mark
Twain National Forest.  Paddy Creek Trail offers several spectacular scenic
overlooks.  Located adjacent to the east boundary of the Paddy Creek
Wilderness, which offers hiking and dispersed camping opportunities.

<p>This campground is near the Paddy Creek Wilderenss Area.&nbsp; It is just a short drive or walk from the Paddy Creek Recreation Area&#39;s picnic and day use site.&nbsp; At the day-use site, there is a trailhead to enter into the Paddy Creek Wilderness Area.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The campground is usually open from April 1 through December 1 each year.</p><p>This area is perfectly located one hour southwest of Rolla and only an hour drive from Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, Paddy Creek Campground is nestled in a hollow along Paddy Creek, a major tributary to Big Piney River, just a few&nbsp;miles away.&nbsp;&nbsp;Paddy Creek flows year-round and is a crystal clear, wading creek with a few swimming holes. This is one of the most scenic areas on the Mark Twain National Forest.&nbsp;&nbsp;Paddy Creek Trail offers several spectacular scenic overlooks.&nbsp;&nbsp;Located adjacent to the east boundary of the Paddy Creek Wilderness, which offers hiking and dispersed camping opportunities.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Paddy Creek Campground

Situated in an open pine forest, this area serves as one of 3 trailheads for
the 18-mile Big Piney Trail, which travels through the Paddy Creek Wilderness.

Designed as an equestrian camp, the area has a trail register station and 5
campsites accommodating horse trailers, with picnic tables, fire rings and
high line posts.

Hitching rails  available near the bathroom and a mounting block area is
available at the trail register station. A vault toilet is on site, but
drinking water is not available.

<p>Situated in an open pine forest, this area serves as one of 3 trailheads for the 18-mile <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=40235">Big Piney Trail</a>, which travels through the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=74385">Paddy Creek Wilderness</a>.</p><p>Designed as an equestrian camp, the area has a trail register station and 5 campsites accommodating horse trailers, with picnic tables, fire rings and high line posts.</p><p>Hitching rails &nbsp;available near the bathroom and a mounting block area is available at the trail register station. A vault toilet is on site, but drinking water is not available.</p><div>&nbsp;</div>

Big Piney equestrian camp

## Overview

Lane Spring Recreation Area provides a peaceful setting along Little Piney
Creek and a scenic patio overlooking beautiful Lane Spring. A large,
accessible picnic area with two pavilions can be reserved. The site has
multiple first come first serve campsites if an overnight stay is desired. A
variety of outdoor recreation opportunities are in the area.

## Recreation

Trout fishing is popular along the portion of the creek nearest Lane Spring,
as it is managed by a wild trout fishery. The fish population is self-
sustained instead of being stocked. Only artificial lures and flies may be
used, and a daily limit is applied of one trout measuring 18 inches or longer.
Bass and sunfish are also plentiful.  
  
The 1.25-mile Blossom Rock Trail and the 1.5-mile Cedar Bluff Trail traverse
through lush bottomland vegetation with abundant wildflowers, before climbing
to views of the river and rock outcroppings. Birding and wildlife viewing is
popular along the trails.

## Facilities

The recreation area offers a picnic area with two group picnic pavilions, each
equipped with tables, grills and electric outlets. Each can accommodate up to
100 people. If unreserved, the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-
served basis. Each pavillion has 10-20 parking spots with handicap accessible
paths to pavillions. These parking spots are not reservable, however there are
additional parking spaces that have access to the spring. Additional
individual picnic sites are available near the spring. Several family
campsites are available as well. Each site is equipped with a table, lantern
post and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are
provided.

## Natural Features

The recreation area is situated along Little Piney Creek, with some waterfront
campsites available. A beautiful hardwood forest covers the area, which lies
in the northwestern portion of the Mark Twain National Forest.  
  
An accessible shaded stone patio overlooks tranquil Lane Spring, a bubbling
spring with watercress and native plant species. It is bordered by a variety
of trees, including sycamore, cypress, oak and many others.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Lane Spring Recreation Area provides a peaceful setting along Little Piney Creek and a scenic patio overlooking beautiful Lane Spring. A large, accessible picnic area with two pavilions can be reserved. The site has multiple first come first serve campsites if an overnight stay is desired.  A variety of outdoor recreation opportunities are in the area.<h2>Recreation</h2>
Trout fishing is popular along the portion of the creek nearest Lane Spring, as it is managed by a wild trout fishery. The fish population is self-sustained instead of being stocked. Only artificial lures and flies may be used, and a daily limit is applied of one trout measuring 18 inches or longer. Bass and sunfish are also plentiful.
<br/><br/>
The 1.25-mile Blossom Rock Trail and the 1.5-mile Cedar Bluff Trail traverse through lush bottomland vegetation with abundant wildflowers, before climbing to views of the river and rock outcroppings. Birding and wildlife viewing is popular along the trails.<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The recreation area offers a picnic area with two group picnic pavilions, each equipped with tables, grills and electric outlets. Each can accommodate up to 100 people. If unreserved, the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each pavillion has 10-20 parking spots with handicap accessible paths to pavillions. These parking spots are not reservable, however there are additional parking spaces that have access to the spring. Additional individual picnic sites are available near the spring. Several family campsites are available as well. Each site is equipped with a table, lantern post and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.</p><h2>Natural Features</h2>
The recreation area is situated along Little Piney Creek, with some waterfront campsites available. A beautiful hardwood forest covers the area, which lies in the northwestern portion of the Mark Twain National Forest.
<br/><br/>
An accessible shaded stone patio overlooks tranquil Lane Spring, a bubbling spring with watercress and native plant species. It is bordered by a variety of trees, including sycamore, cypress, oak and many others.

Benches at the edge of a concrete pathway with a view of Lane Spring and green vegatation in the background

PICNIC TABLES AT LANE SPRING RECREATION AREA

SPRING AT LANE SPRING RECREATION AREA

LANE SPRING RECREATION AREA

Lane Spring Recreation Area

A view of a typical campsite available at Lane Spring Recreation Area.

Slabtown Recreation Area

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Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Paddy Creek Campground

Big Piney equestrian camp

Lane Spring Recreation Area