Lazy C Trailhead
Open year-round. No fees or reservations required. No potable water available; bring your own. Pack out all trash.
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 10:44PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Springfield MO
* WHAT...Heat index values of 100 to 105. Minimal overnight relief with temperatures in the middle to upper 70s. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Kansas and central, east central, south central, southwest, and west central Missouri. * WHEN...From noon Monday to 8 PM CDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Forest Order 09-05-21-26-03 National Forest System Road 566 Closure
This is a temporary closure for FS Road 566 up to Coy Bald Trailhead to avoid risk of entrapment from flooding waters during the peak rain season. Access to the Coy Bald Trailhead requires crossing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land—and traversing the Cane Creek low‑water crossing, a…
Weather Conditions
Please check weather conditions prior to visiting. Forecasts can be found:National Weather Service - Springfield, MO Severe Weather Potential National Weather Service - Springfield, MO (Facebook) Safety Tips are available: Brave the Elements Ready.gov - Floods Severe Weather Tornadoes
About
Lazy C Trailhead serves as a gateway to the Eleven Point section of the Ozark Trail in Mark Twain National Forest. Located along Highway 19 between Winona and Alton, this primitive camping area offers six designated sites in an open grassy area bounded by wooden fencing and dotted with shade trees. A gravel loop road circles through the camping/parking area, providing easy access to each site. The trailhead caters especially well to equestrian users, featuring hitching posts, corrals available on a first-come basis, and dedicated parking for horse trailers. The 1.55-mile Lazy C Trail begins here, following a gravel two-track for half its length before narrowing to single-track. This trail connects to the McCormack Lake Ozark Trail spur, which in turn leads to the main Ozark Trail. Facilities are basic: vault toilets are available, but there is no potable water or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste. Each designated site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are no fees and no reservations required.
Directions
From Winona, take Highway 19 South for 12 miles and turn right at the Lazy C Trailhead sign. From Alton, take Highway 19 North for 13 miles and turn left at the Lazy C Trailhead sign.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (573) 996-2153 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Lazy C Trailhead |
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