Roaring River State Park


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Roaring River State Park

The Basics

Roaring River State Park
12716 Fard Road 2239
Cassville, MO 65625

Phone: (417) 847-2539
Email: moparks@dnr.mo.gov

Directions: From Cassville: Travel south out of Cassville on Hwy 112/Hwy76/Hwy86. After 1.5 miles, keep right as Hwy76/Hwy 86 turn left, staying on Hwy 112. After about 6 miles, you will reach the park. The park office is on your right, just after the junction with Hwy 112-spur.

About Roaring River

Missouri is blessed to have such a unique karst topography, hence its nickname, the cave state. Another benefit to this natural geology is an abundance of springs. Missouri has some of the largest springs in the United States, and one of the highest concentrations of springs also. Springs were important to native americans and early settlers as good sources of fresh water. Their energy was also utilized to power sawmills, grist mills, and many other types of mills in the 1800s. Towards the turn of the century, however, springs became more of a destination for recreation and relaxation. Many springs were used for their fresh, cool water as places to raise and hatch trout. Roaring River State Park is one such place, one of four trout hatcheries managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Flowing from the base of a huge limestone bluff, Roaring River Spring delivers an average of 20 million gallons of water per day. Water from this cool, deep spring is used in the park to hatch and grow trout that will eventually be released for anglers to try and cast their luck. Roaring River State Park is known for the quality and quantity of trout produced here, and visitors come from all over the state to view, feed, and cast for these rainbows.

Over ten miles of trails lead visitors to the surrounding hills and forests, exploring the streams valleys and open-top vistas that surround the spring valley. The Fire Tower Trail will take hikers into the Roaring River Hills Wild Area of the park, and showcases the now rare Ozark Chinquapin Oak tree. The Devil's Kitchen trail will take hikers to an odd rock outcropping known as the Devil's Kitchen, and showcases some of the parks geologic history.

More than 180 campsites are available in the park, ranging from basic primitive tent sites, to pull-thru sites with electric hookups. Camping areas feature restrooms with hot showers, laundry facilities, water (during the On-Season), and dump stations. The new Emory Melton Inn & Conference Center offers 26 guest rooms, 4 meeting rooms, and a restaurant. Twenty-six rustic cabins, scattered throughout the park, are also available. A park store is also available, and offers fishing supplies, camping supplies, permits, tags, ice, firewood, souvenirs and apparel.

Features & Facilities

Park Office | Nature Center | Store/Gift Shop | Exhibits | Meeting Rooms | Observation Deck | Amphitheater | Pavilions | Picnic Area/Tables | Playground | Swimming Pool | Spring | Trout Hatchery | Restaurant | Lodging | Cabins | Campground | Group Camping | Restrooms | Showers | Laundry | Dump Station

Activities Available

Camping | Hiking Trails | Swimming | Fishing

What's Nearby


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