This very short walk takes you from North Fork Campground to the beautiful Blue Spring. The Trail parallels the North Fork of the White River and travels into the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness. Among the trees, cardinals and other birds sweep from one branch to another. Flowering dogwood and redbud catch sunshine from the gaps between branches and leaves and display brilliant spring colors. Blue Spring on North Fork River is in an oval shape, about 30 feet in diameter. It averages 7 million gallons per day of cold, clear blue water. The pool is colorful and the setting dramatic - on three sides, the stone wall made of cherty Gasconade dolomite surrounds the spring and represents the karst topography of the Ozarks.
Operational Hours:
This is a day use area, hours of operation 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Gate at CC Highway is closed 12/1-3/1.
Fees:
$2.00 per vehicle day use fee at the Blue Spring trailhead within the North Fork Recreation Area.
Restrictions:
During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
Directions:
From West Plains, MO take Highway CC west 16 miles to North Fork Campground/Recreation Area. The spring is located with the North Fork Recreation Area.