James River Basin - Recreation
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Leave No Trace

Every year, millions of pounds of trash are collected from our nation’s rivers, parks, and streets.  If you visit a state park, river, lake, campground, or any other public places, remember to leave no trace of yourself.

A Guide to Recreation Services: http://www.mostateparks.com/directory.htm provides information about the state parks and areas of interest

Roaring River State Park.State Parks

Roaring River State Park is located seven miles south of Cassville, MO on Hwy 112 in Barry County along the James River.  At this park, Roaring River Spring provides 20 million gallons of water a day to Roaring River. Fishing, hiking and picnicking are frequent activities at Roaring River State Park. There are also campgrounds and cabins that can be rented, in addition to a lodge and a restaurant.  You can go on guided horseback rides on the trails at the park.  For more information, visit the following websites: http://www.missouritrout.com/roaringriver.html.

http://www.mostateparks.com/roaringriver.htm

 

 

Hiking Areas

Springfield Conservation Nature Center
At the Nature Center, hiking trails pass through pine trees, along bluffs, and overlook the Springfield Lake. A variety of birds, squirrels, turtles, frogs, deer, and occasionally armadillo can be seen.  There are indoor exhibits, including a bird-watching area and tanks containing fish, reptiles, and amphibians from around the area.  The Nature Center is located in southeast Springfield, MO at 4600 S. Chrisman Ave. Telephone: (417) 888-4237 or visit their website at http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/springfd/.

Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area
This hiking area is located about 18 miles south of Springfield, off of Highway 65.  At Busiek, visitors can hike or bring horses to ride on the trails.  There are no designated campsites at the park, but camping is allowed within the Wildlife area.   Target shooting and hunting are also allowed permitted.  Telephone:  (417) 869-6880.
http://www.adventurist.net/hiking/busiek_state_forest/

Additional information about hiking and areas can be accessed online at: http://www.conservation.mo.gov/trails/

Greenways Trails

There are five Ozark Greenways trails in the James River Basin. These trails are all located in the Springfield area. You can walk, jog, or bike along these trails. Ozark Greenways can be contacted through http://www.ozarkgreenways.org/.

Galloway Creek Greenway
This trail runs from Pershing Park, to the Springfield Beyond the Nature Center, the trail ends at the old iron James River This 6 mile trail follows Galloway Creek through open and wooded areas. Many birds and even deer can be spotted along this trail. Parking is available at Pershing Middle School, Sequiota Conservation Nature Center.

South Creek/Wilson’s Creek Greenway
This trail connects McDaniel Nathaniel Green Park. This trail will eventually connect Park or Volunteer Nature Trail. This trail connects to the South Creek/Wilson’s Creek Greenway. The trail is one mile long. Parking is available at the trailhead which is located on Farm Road 168 south of the James River Freeway. It is located near the Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant off of FF Highway.

Frisco Highline Trail
The Frisco Highline Trail runs along the old Frisco Railroad. It will eventually be 35 miles long and connect Springfield to Bolivar. Trailheads are located in Springfield, Willard, and Walnut Grove. The Springfield trailhead is located at the corner of Kearney Street and Willard High School. The Walnut Grove trailhead is located on BB Highway, just east of the traffic light in Walnut Grove.

Sac River Trail
The Sac River Trail area contains 8 miles of trails in 300 acres of woods. Many people bring their mountain bikes to this trail. To begin the Sac River Trail, park at the trailhead which is located off of Highway 13, three miles north of I-44. There is a brown “Sac River Trail” sign directing you to turn west off of Highway 13.

Caves

The James River Basin is full of caves. Caves are important to water quality:  the rock material from which caves are made allows water to pass through very quickly.  Pollution can quickly travel a great distance underground through the networks among different cave systems. In addition, cave-dwelling animals are typically very sensitive to toxic materials, and introduction of such pollutants into their habitat could reduce their ability to live.  It is therefore important to properly dispose of toxic materials so they don’t reach cave systems.   Some caves within the James River Basin are big enough to enable tourists to tour their depths by foot or even by vehicle.  Many caves are very small and can only be explored by professionals.

Zoos and Museums

Photo of a Bobwhite Quail sitting on a logFrom: http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/NEWSITE/HTML/accessible/animalframes-ac.html

American National Fish and Wildlife Museum-Wonders of Wildlife Zooquarium
The Wonders of Wildlife Zooquarium provides educational information about wildlife in the Ozarks.  Animals the Zooquarium include river otters, beaver, freshwater fish, turtles, snakes, lizards, and salamanders.  Included are birds, Photo of a Sand Tiger Sharkbobcats, and bats.  A large saltwater aquarium houses animals that live in the ocean, such as sharks, rays, eels, and jellyfish.  The Wonders of Wildlife Museum is located at 500 W. Sunshine Street , in Springfield, Missouri just north of Bass Pro Shops.  For additional information please  visit their website at http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/

Historic Sites

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
 Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield has a museum and several trails containing stops that tell the story of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, fought on August 10, 1861 .   Reenactments of the battle take place a few times throughout the year.  Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield is located at 6424 W. Fr 182 in Republic, MO.  Website: http://www.nps.gov/wicr/.

For additional information about conservation areas please visit: http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/natcom/prairies/pubprairies/swmaps2.htm

Fishing

Fishing is a popular sport.   Sport fish found in the James River include rock bass, channel catfish, and carp.  Fishing licenses are required for individuals at least 16 years of age.  Licenses can be purchased at many local bait shops, gas stations, local Wal-mart, and Bass Pro.  Bass Pro Shop, located on S. Campbell Street in Springfield, MO, is a national attraction in for visitors in and outside James River Basin. Additional information can be accessed online at: http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.OnlineShopping?hvarClearAffiliate=yes.

Fish can be found swimming in deep pools or in shallow riffle areas in rivers.  They eat insects, crawfish, and other little fish.  Some fish eat stuff off of the bottom of the river floor.  There are many cool species of fish.

Seventy-one species of fish are found in the James River Basin.  Some fish are caught by anglers regularly, and other fish are usually not caught by anglers.  Fish caught by anglers include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, white crappie, Ozark bass, channel catfish, and rainbow trout.

Fifty-six species of fish are found in the Ozarks - more than in other parts of the state.   This means that we must protect the area they live in because they are special to the Ozarks.  The Ozark bass, duskystripe shiner, White River or Arkansas saddled darter, and the yoke darter are fish that are only found in the White River Basin.  The James River Basin is a part of the larger White River Basin and these special fish have been found in the James River Basin.  In addition, the longear sunfish, rainbow darter, fantail darter, and the orangethroat darter have special forms in the James River Basin when compared to other parts of the state. 

If the water in a river is too hot or if there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water, large numbers of fish can die.  In 1954, 1960, and 1966, large fish mortality events or fish kills occurred on the lower James River because there was not enough oxygen in the water.  The low oxygen was because chemicals and sewage had run off from the cities after a large rainstorm.  The nutrients from the sewage runoff caused a peak in algal growth in the river, resulting in lowered oxygen levels when the algae died and decomposed.   

Fish, in the James River Basin, may have toxic chemicals in their bodies from industrial chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides.  One of these chemicals is chlordane, a common pesticide.  Chemicals like pesticides can build up in animals over time through the food chain.

James River Basin Partnership River Rescue

Each year a local watershed group, the James River Basin Partnership, (http://www.jrbp.smsu.edu/about.html) sponsors a River Rescue Event.  During River Rescue week, there are many fun events including group trash collections along the river, canoeing, live music, face painting, games, educational activities, and food!   Last year the River Rescue was in June.  The James River Basin Partnership can be contacted at (417) 836-8878 or toll free at (888) 924-WATER or visit their website at http://www.jrbp.smsu.edu/.

Canoe Rentals

man in canoeCanoeing is a popular sport in the James River Basin. Canoeing allows visitors to see the local flora and fauna and to relax on hot summer afternoons.  Many local outfitters provide canoe rental and transportation back to your vehicle upon completion of your float.   Several local outfitters are listed below.

Hootentown Canoe Rental and Campground
 1254 Hooten Town Road
 Crane, MO 65633
1-877-369-2266
417-369-2266

James River Outfitters
36 Sandstone Drive
Galena, MO 65656
417-357-6443

James River Canoe Rental
Rt. 2, Box 2
Galena, MO 65656

Y Bridge Canoe Rental
Y Bridge Canoe Rental
307 West State Highway 248
Galena, MO 65656

Access points

The Missouri Department of Conservation has many “access points” throughout the state. On the James River, only jon boats and canoes are allowed.  An “access point” is a location for boat launching into rivers or lakes.   Access points offer picnic facilities or   good fishing spots.  The following is a list of the James River Basin access points:

James River Access Points

  • Joe Crighton Access - Off  Highway D, 3 miles southeast of Springfield.
  • Southwood Access - At Lake Springfield,  west of the Highway 65 bridge.
  • Clay Henshaw Memorial Access - At Lake Springfield, located on Evans Road, west of Highway 65.
  • Tailwaters Access   -  below the dam at Lake Springfield on Evans Road.
  • Delaware Town Access - 5 miles west of Nixa off of Highway 14.
  • Shelvin Rock Access -   5 miles southwest of Nixa off of Highway M
  • Hooten Town Access -   6 miles east of Hurley off of Highway U.
  • H. L. Kerr Access - 2 miles northeast of Galena off Highway 176.
  • Ralph Cox Memorial Access - At the Highway 13 bridge near Galena.

Flat Creek Access Points

  • Lower Flat Creek Access - 3 miles east of Highway 39 and Highway EE junction in Barry County.
  • Stubblefield Access -   5 miles northwest of Highway 39 and Highway 248 junction in Barry County.

Index | History | Agriculture | Non-Ag Activities | Recreation | NPS | Plants & Animals | Water Quality | Projects & Groups
Physical | Hydrology | Climate | Drinking Water | Curriculum | 4H/FFA

Elk River | James River | Sac River | Spring River | North Fork Salt River


Missouri Department
of Natural Resources

Missouri Watershed Information Network (MoWIN)
Send comments to: mowin1@missouri.edu
205 Agricultural Engineering
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-0085
Toll Free: (MO only): 1-877-H20-shed (426-7433)
Fax: (573) 884-5650

Page last updated August 26, 2008