Bar-K Wrangler Camp
Bar-K Wrangler Camp is a quiet campground located on the west bank of Swan Creek and serves as a Trailhead for the Swan Creek Trail. The campground is used frequently by equestrians. Whether you choose one of the designated sites or decide to spread out in the big field across the road you’ll have plenty of room for yourself and your horse when you visit.
During the summer months you can cool off with a quick wade in Swan Creek.
At night you can enjoy the quiet in a primitive horse camp, surrounded by maples, oaks, hickories, and dogwood. During the day you'll have access to the 23-miles of riding, hiking, and mountain bike trails in Swan Creek.
Printable Recreational Opportunity Guide for this site.
Photos from Bar K Wrangler Camp
General Information
Campground Camping
Minimal facilities include tables and fire rings, and toilet facilities.
The sites are located on the righthand side of the road near a creek. Across the road is an open field where you can park or dispersed camp with horse trailers.
Camping With Horses
- Campers should scatter manure piles outside the mowed area to aid decomposition, discourage flies, and as a courtesy to others.
- Use hitching posts whenever provided. Hitching stock to trees causes long-term damage. A hitch line between trees using wide nylon “tree saver” straps with rope run between the straps is always a good idea.
- Please keep stock out of scenic overlooks or popular stops.
No. of Sites
3
Group Camping
This area is an open field where groups may camp together.
No. of Sites
No designated site.
January - December
Quiet hours 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM.
Fishing permits are available from Missouri Department of Conservation
When visiting, please remember
- No motorized vehicles permitted on trail system. No motorized vehicles beyond posted signs.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas.
- No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites (16 for double sites).
- Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the campground.
- Only collect dead and downed wood for campfires.
- No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
- Please be aware of flooding after heavy rains, avoid driving through standing water in low areas.
Although the Forest Service manages fishing habitats in the National Forest, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) regulates and manages sport fishing on National Forest lands. Learn the rules concerning which fish are in season and make it your business to know length, take, and possession limits. For more information on the rules and regulations to be followed visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
No Fees are required for this site.
Camping
- Single - $10/night
Camping
Dogs are allowed at campsites and developed recreation areas; however, they should not be allowed to run loose in recreation areas where they will disturb other forest visitors. Be mindful of the impact a barking dog can have on other forest visitors.
- Keep dogs on a six-foot, or shorter, leash when they are not inside an enclosed vehicle or tent.
- Store dog food in bear-resistant containers and feed your pet away from the campsite.
- Pick up and bag your dog’s waste. Place it in a provided trash receptacle or pack it out.
Trail Use
Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, as long as they are kept on a leash. Unleashed dogs can pose a danger to your pet, the natural resources of the area, and other forest visitors.
- Leashes must be six feet, or shorter (36 CFR 261.16(j)) when they are not inside an enclosed vehicle or tent.
- Yield your leashed dog around other hikers, bicyclists and horses
- Pack out your dogs waste or bury it 100 feet from water and trails.
Address: 1006 S. Jefferson Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-4428
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; District Offices closed 1 - 1:30 for lunch (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 36.860051
Longitude: -93.009031
Directions
From Garrison, MO
- Take Hwy 125 north 2 miles to Forest Road 533.
- Turn right and continue to the bottom of the hill.
From Chadwick, MO
- Take Hwy 125 south for about 7 miles to Forest Road 533
- Turn left and continue to the bottom of the hill
Parking
30 vehicles with trailers
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
At campsites
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single Info
Picnicking is allowed in the campground if the campsite is not otherwise occupied. Tables and fire rings are available.
Backpacking Info
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with the east side of the Swan Creek area. As you travel east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Day Hikes Info
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with the east side of the Swan Creek area. As you travel east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Swimming Info
There’s a little trail that leads down to the creek. The creek is small, and not very deep in most places. The creek is rock bottomed and crystal clear.
The area is not managed for swimming: there are no lifeguards, depth or hazard markers, and the water is not tested.
Horseback Riding Info
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with the east side of the Swan Creek area. As you travel east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Horse Camping Info
Minimal facilities include tables and fire rings, and toilet facilities.
The sites are located on the righthand side of the road near a creek. Across the road is an open field where you can park or dispersed camp with horse trailers.
Camping With Horses
- Campers should scatter manure piles outside the mowed area to aid decomposition, discourage flies, and as a courtesy to others.
- Use hitching posts whenever provided. Hitching stock to trees causes long-term damage. A hitch line between trees using wide nylon “tree saver” straps with rope run between the straps is always a good idea.
- Please keep stock out of scenic overlooks or popular stops.
Biking - Mountain Info
Swan Creek is an 8,488 acre area that provides for year-round non-motorized dispersed recreation use as it is a designated Semi-Primitive Non Motorized (SPNM) Area. There are approximately 23 miles of moderately used horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking trails available.
The Tin Top Section: This trail is 6.78 miles long and connects Bar-K Wrangler camp with the east side of the Swan Creek area. As you travel east, you ride through old oaks and short leaf pines. After a mile and a half, the trail forks off to the Beer Can Alley Section. Continuing on Tin Top, you will run into open areas where the Ozark forest meets the prairie remnant. The end is located at a pasture.
Beer Can Alley Section: boasts a breathtaking panorama of the glades. After a turn or two, the trail descends a slope to a fork, Sly Top Section is to the left, and right, is the Bald Knob Section. Either will take you back to Bar-K Wrangler Camp.
There are many other trail sections including Math Branch Section which follows a winding branch of Swan Creek and the Patterson Hollow Section which connects Tin Top pull off and an unnamed pull off on highway UU.
Fishing - River/Stream Info
Swan Creek is a small creek, and very shallow during the summer months.
For more information on the rules and regulations to be followed visit the Missouri Department of Conservation website.
Fish Species
smallmouth bass, rock bass, and goggleeye
Fishing Mode
Shore, Wade
Fishing Platform
None
Water Temperature
Warm
Fishing Method
Fly, Pole