Springfield: Henning Forest Loop

Wander under oak and hickory trees, up steep hills, and along a wild Ozark creek on this 5.9-mile lassoloop in Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area.

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Mapped by Gregory Zieman

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 9.6

Waypoints

HFL001

Location: 36.658298, -93.293991

From lot, hike NW. Panoramic photo: Great views of wooded valley and into downtown Branson

HFL002

Location: 36.659771, -93.295868

Go L onto Glade Trail. More valley views ahead

HFL003

Location: 36.663799, -93.292107

Turn R @ 4-way. Next, trail drops down to an upper fork of the Roark Creek and turns L (N)

HFL004

Location: 36.663658, -93.290367

Swing R onto Shane Trail. This park is named after Paul Henning, the famous producer and writer of the The Beverly Hillbillies

HFL005

Location: 36.667412, -93.288628

Turn L @ T onto Homesteader Trail. Next, begin 3.3-mile clockwise loop

HFL006

Location: 36.66983, -93.29158

Pass small waterfall in steep gulley

HFL007

Location: 36.677406, -93.294281

Trail crests hill @ 1,048 ft.

HFL008

Location: 36.683601, -93.288513

Turn R @ creek. Exposed roots and bottomland hardwoods cling to the eroded banks of Roark Creek

HFL009

Location: 36.68111, -93.285477

Go L, then go R again

HFL010

Location: 36.66795, -93.283813

Trail turns R, heading W back to WPT 5. Backtrack to trailhead