River Hills Traveler

01/10/2025

Road conditions are deteriorating across southwest Missouri as snow enters from the southwest. Visibilities are being reduced to 1 mile or less in heavier snow bands. https://traveler.modot.org/map/index.html

11/06/2024

Terrible and sad, but we've rebuilt before and will do so again.

10/29/2024

Mark Twain National Forest firefighters, including engines and the Mark Twain Veteran Crew, are responding to a fire along Glade Top Trail. The fire has been named the Sugar Fire and is located about 12 miles south/southwest of Ava.

The fire was reported earlier this evening and is burning in downed cedar and timber litter. Visibility for driving is expected to be impacted along Glade Top Trail tonight and for the next few days from possible heavy smoke.

Cody Lunsford, District Ranger for Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs, said, “We have a good firefighting response tonight, and we are asking that people please use alternate routes and avoid the Glade Top Trail area for their own driving safety as well as for the safety of the firefighters working along the road."

10/14/2024

Mark Twain National Forest firefighters have contained a wildfire burning on Forest Service land to the east of Shell K**b, near Table Rock Lake. The Cane Hollow Fire was first reported to the Central Crossing Fire Protection District, who found the fire burning on Forest Service land and contacted Mark Twain National Forest during their initial response.

USDA Forest Service firefighters arrived yesterday morning, shortly after, to begin suppression efforts. Last night, the fire was 90% contained. Today, the fire has reached 100% containment, at about 300 acres in size.

Leaf litter, downed trees, and other materials in the middle of the contained fire perimeter are continuing to put up smoke, so the fire may be visible through the rest of the day. Winds also shifted today from the southwest to more from the north, fanning smoke over the Table Rock Lake area — making it visible from Shell K**b and other nearby communities.

Forest Service crews remain on-scene monitoring the contained perimeter. The cause is still unknown and is under investigation. Firefighters want to remind people in southwest Missouri that the area has been experiencing drought conditions and it is important to be very careful with any open flames in the woods.

08/30/2024

Get 12 MONTHS OF UNLIMITED ONLINE ACCESS to the River Hills Traveler for just $10! Enjoy Ozark stories about hunting, fishing, camping, floating, hiking, shooting, kayaking, outdoor news and much more. This also includes archives of our past issues going back about a year or so. (Limited time offer, for new subscribers only; expires at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.)

https://www.riverhillstraveler.com/sale/

08/18/2024

05/12/2024

[8:30 PM 5/11/24] For all our aurora timing folks who have been asking, this is from the most recent update from the Space Weather Prediction Center!

[9:39 PM] edit for clarity- these times are for the entire United States. Our highest chances of seeing the aurora anywhere in the country are a combination of how high (G1-G5) the storm intensity is (G5 is strongest) paired with the most darkness. The storm affecting the entire earth will be strongest right when Missouri and the rest of the greater Ozarks region is nearing sunrise. Never say never... G4 is still incredibly strong.

7pm - 10pm: Max G4
10pm - 1am: Max G4
1am - 4am: Max G4
4am - 7am: Max G5
7am - 10am: Max G4

05/11/2024

Anyone seeing what we see tonight? It’s the aurora borealis. Should be visible tomorrow night and Sunday night. What’s your view?

04/18/2024

Tell us what you think!

We need your input on the future development and considerations for Eleven Point State Park. Please take a moment to watch this video and complete our survey to provide feedback.

Video: https://ow.ly/8KeR50Rh9Bp

Survey: https://ow.ly/ge9r50Rh9Bo

04/06/2024

U.S. Forest Service and Iron County law enforcement officers are investigating an assault that took place on the Ozark Trail (OT) in the Bell Mountain Wilderness Area. On the afternoon of March 23, a female hiker was assaulted by an unknown male while solo hiking near the intersection with the Bell Mountain Connector Trail. The victim managed to fight off her attacker and flee the area.

“Everyone on Mark Twain National Forest stands alongside women and our hiking community in being appalled by such an act of violence happening on the OT,” said Lenore Lamb, acting Forest supervisor.

The attacker has been described as a white male, late 30s to early 40s, tall and slim; and he was last seen wearing a black stocking hat, sunglasses, dark pants, dark coat, and carrying a daypack. Anyone with information is requested to contact Special Agent Chuck Lochart at [email protected]

04/06/2024

The Monday, April 8, total solar eclipse is a few days away! As you pass through Mark Twain National Forest on your way to events, or as you explore the Forest and camp out, thousands of people are traveling for the eclipse, and the Forest, as well as cities, towns, and communities around the Forest, may see dramatic, temporary increases in the number of visitors.

The Forest Service has established an Eclipse Incident Management Team (IMT) to help accommodate the expected influx of visitors. Chris Woods has been designated as the incident commander for the Eclipse IMT.

“The safety of Forest visitors and our employees is our top priority; and we want everyone to make it home with good memories of the eclipse and their visit to Mark Twain National Forest," said Woods.

Here are some things to keep in mind to help you have a safe, fun visit in the Forest:

• Be prepared to wait. Lots of traffic may mean you can’t leave immediately. Have a full tank of gas, snacks, and water. Explore the Forest and communities around you while you wait.
Visit fs.usda.gov/mtnf and click on the “Visit Us” link to find maps and recreational opportunities near you.

• Cell phone signals are not available everywhere, and it is possible towers may get overloaded. You may not have the ability to make calls, send texts, or use the internet.

• Keep an eye on the weather. Weather forecasts can change, so be prepared by bringing layers and rain gear. During eclipse totality, the temperature can drop 10 or more degrees!

• When driving, look all around you before you make a turn. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and others will be out and about. Go slow and give other vehicles plenty of space. If the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly, you want to have time to stop too.

• When parking, park in designated parking spots, and park in such a way that you are not blocking other vehicles or access to property, buildings, or trailheads. If all the parking spots are full, find a camp host, park ranger, or other employee to ask where you can park.

• If you will be camping on the Forest, leave your campsite as you found it – or better than you found it. Please properly dispose of trash and recyclables in the appropriate receptacles. Leave No Trace provides great guidance on how to care for the land while visiting.

• Campfires are fun! If you build a campfire, after you are done enjoying it, please put it out by pouring water over it, stirring it, pouring more water, stirring and repeat this process until the embers are cool when you put your hand near the embers.

Many cities, towns, and communities around Mark Twain National Forest are hosting events all weekend, culminating with the eclipse on Monday. Lists of these events can be found at VisitMo.com and MoEclipse.org.

One of the events is the Smokey Bear Hot Air Balloon making a special appearance at Big Spring, just outside of Van Buren this weekend. Rides will be offered, weather dependent, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Rides will go up 50 feet, then come back down.

The Smokey Bear Hot Air Balloon has been brought to the Ozarks by Mark Twain National Forest and Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Regardless of whether you are heading to a community event and just passing through, recreating, camping, or trying to find solitude in the Forest, have a safe, enjoyable eclipse weekend!

04/06/2024

(Saturday, April 6, 11:30 a.m.) U.S. Forest Service firefighters are responding to a wildfire in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness off Highway CC east of Dora, Missouri, near the North Fork Recreation Area.

Due to the location of the wildfire, trails in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness are temporarily closed. Please avoid the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness and the North Fork Recreation Area for your safety as well as for fire fighter safety and response.

This is on ongoing, evolving situation. Updates will be sent out as more information becomes available.

02/29/2024

Congratulations, Pat!

Unbelievable honor in Springfield Yesterday!! Thank you MCFA!!

02/06/2024

Kansas City 31, San Francisco 17!

02/02/2024

Please help find whoever vandalized the new Council Bluff Lake boat/fishing dock!

https://www.facebook.com/MarkTwainNationalForest/videos/383662374256307/

01/22/2024