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Lane Spring Recreation Area provides a nice setting along Little Piney Creek and a scenic patio overlooking beautiful Lane Spring. A large, accessible picnic area with two pavilions can be reserved, as well as individual campsites. All kinds of outdoor recreation opportunities are in the area. Natural Features: The recreation area is situated along Little Piney Creek, with some waterfront campsites available. A beautiful hardwood forest covers the area, which lies in the northwestern portion of the Mark Twain National Forest. An accessible shaded stone patio overlooks tranquil Lane Spring, a bubbling spring with watercress and native plant species. It is bordered by a variety of trees, including sycamore, cypress, oak and many others. Recreation: Trout fishing is popular along the portion of the creek nearest Lane Spring, as it is managed by a wild trout fishery. The fish population is self-sustained instead of being stocked. Only artificial lures and flies may be used, and a daily limit is applied of one trout measuring 18 inches or longer. Bass and sunfish are also plentiful. The 1.25-mile Blossom Rock Trail and the 1.5-mile Cedar Bluff Trail traverse through lush bottomland vegetation with abundant wildflowers, before climbing to views of the river and rock outcroppings. Birding and wildlife viewing is popular along the trails. Facilities: The recreation area offers a picnic area with two group picnic pavilions, each equipped with tables, grills and electric outlets. Each can accommodate up to 100 people. If unreserved, the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional individual picnic sites are available. Several family campsites are available as well. Each site is equipped with a table, lantern post and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
From Rolla, Missouri, travel 12 miles south on U.S. Highway 63, then continue 1 mile west on Entrance Road.
Trails were poorly maintained, especially the Cedar Bluff Trail. At one point, it all but disappeared and I was wading through underbrush... expect to be pretty scratched up with plenty of bug bites :-(
The pavilion and other aspects of the area are lovely, but I wouldn't recommend for anyone focused on the trails during the summer/fall. It sounds like there would be a better experience in the later months based on other reviews.
Great early day before gets busy. Unfortunately the day I was there it was chain smokers everywhere after morning.
Great experience, the cedar bluff trail has a great view and it’s a nice trek up but the way down is very poorly maintained. There are multiple paths, all of which dissolve into nothing. I would recommend hiking this trail with the exception that you double back the way you came on the descent. The creek was great and the bathrooms were well maintained.
Stayed in a tent spot for a weekend of fishing and hanging out. The campground is pretty well kept with bathrooms and water at each end of the loop. It’s a bit later in the year and it was quiet with about half the campsites occupied. Fishing was rough Saturday but after a good rain that night it was good on Sunday.
