Missouri › Christian County › Mark Twain National Forest

Bar-k Horse Camp

Open

Open year-round with 24-hour access. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM. Trailhead day use is 6 AM to 10 PM. No reservations required; sites are first-come, first-served. No potable water available.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued June 11 at 2:47PM CDT until June 11 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO

2:47 PM — 9:00 PM

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 314 IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN KANSAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS BOURBON CHEROKEE CRAWFORD IN MISSOURI THIS WATCH INCLUDES 30 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MISSOURI BENTON CAMDEN HICKORY MARIES MILLER MORGAN PULASKI IN EAST CENTRAL MISSOURI PHELPS IN SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI DENT TEXAS IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI BARRY BARTON CEDAR CHRISTIAN DADE DALLAS DOUGLAS GREENE JASPER LACLEDE LAWRENCE MCDONALD NEWTON POLK STONE TANEY WEBSTER WRIGHT IN WEST CENTRAL MISSOURI ST. CLAIR VERNON THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ANDERSON, APPLETON CITY, ARNICA, AURORA, AURORA SPRINGS, AVA, BANGERT, BAXTER SPRINGS, BENDAVIS, BOLIVAR, BRANSON, BUFFALO, CAMDENTON, CAPLINGER MILLS, CARTHAGE, CASSVILLE, CEDAR SPRINGS, CHARITY, CHICOPEE, CHRISTIAN CENTER, COLE CAMP, COLUMBUS, CRANE, CROCKERVILLE, CROSS TIMBERS, DARIEN, DAWSON, DECATURVILLE, DOGWOOD, DUNCAN, EDGEWATER BEACH, EDMONSON, EL DORADO SPRINGS, ELDON, ELSEY, FILLEY, FOOSE, FORSYTH, FORT LEONARD WOOD, FORT SCOTT, GLADDEN, GOODHOPE, GOODMAN, GRAFF, GREENFIELD, HERMITAGE, HOLLISTER, HOWES, HUGGINS, INDIAN POINT, JADWIN, JOHNSON CITY, JOPLIN, KENOMA, KIMBERLING CITY, KIRBYVILLE, LAKE OZARK, LAKE SPRING, LAMAR, LAQUEY, LAURIE, LEBANON, LINCOLN, LOCKWOOD, LONE OAK, LOWELL, LYNCHBURG, MADRY, MANSFIELD, MARCH, MARIONVILLE, MARSHFIELD, MEINERT, MONETT, MORA, MOUNT VERNON, MOUNTAIN GROVE, NEOSHO, NEUTRAL, NEVADA, NIXA, NOEL, NORTHVIEW, NORTHWYE, OLIVE, OSAGE BEACH, OZARK, OZARK BEACH, PAWNEE STATION, PINEVILLE, PITTSBURG, PITTSBURG, PLAD, PLATO, POWERSITE, QUINCY, RIVERTON, ROACH, ROBY, ROCKY COMFORT, ROCKY MOUNT, ROGERSVILLE, ROLLA, ROME, SALEM, SELMORE, SEYMOUR, SHERWIN, SILVER DOLLAR CITY, SOUTH WEST CITY, SPRINGFIELD, SQUIRES, STIPPVILLE, STOCKTON, STOVER, TIFFIN, VANZANT, VERSAILLES, VICHY, VILLAGE OF FOUR SEASONS, WARSAW, WAYNESVILLE, WEAUBLEAU, WHEATLAND, WHITAKERVILLE, AND WINDYVILLE.

About

Bar-K Wrangler Camp is a primitive equestrian campground tucked along the west bank of Swan Creek in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest. Popular with horseback riders, the campground offers three designated campsites plus a large open field across the road where groups can spread out with horse trailers. The setting is peaceful, surrounded by maples, oaks, hickories, and dogwood trees. The campground serves as the trailhead for the Swan Creek Non-Motorized Area, providing access to 23.25 miles of trails open to horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. The trails wind through the 8,488-acre semi-primitive area, offering moderate terrain and year-round recreation opportunities. During summer months, visitors can cool off with a wade in Swan Creek, which also provides fishing for smallmouth bass, rock bass, and goggle-eye. Facilities are basic: vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own supply or treat water from the creek. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a 6-foot leash. Equestrians should use hitching posts or tree-saver straps rather than tying directly to trees.

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.