Greer Spring Trail
Trailhead Greer Spring Drive there
Greer Spring the Forest Service's write-up
There are no fees. · season January to December
When you pull into this parking lot it’s easy to find the trailhead which starts you on the downhill, .9 mile hike to the Greer Spring. Don’t forget to stop at the restroom before you head down the hill. Even though it’s a short hike, bring plenty of water to drink, especially in summer months.
Greer Spring is the second largest spring in Missouri. Greer Spring flows from two outlets about 250 feet apart at the bottom of a steep, shaded ravine at the terminus of the trail. More like the emergence of an underground river, the water feeding Greer Spring comes from nearby streams that flow underground, as well as sinkholes found to the west and north-west of the spring, as far as 35 miles away.
The spring flows from the mouth of Greer Spring Cave, which is the mouth of the spring branch, and boils up from the rugged bed of the stream. The spring run drops 62 feet in elevation for 1.25 miles where it more than doubles the flow of the Eleven Point National Scenic River where they join.
The .9 mile trail to the spring travels through a mixture of hardwoods and pines. The overstory of trees, includes a variety of oaks, shortleaf pine, hickory, maples, basswood, and black gum. Hikers will also see flowering dogwoods, sassafras, persimmon, hazelnut, cedar, and hackberry.
Rock formations along the spring and spring branch canyon inspire many photographers. Flowing down a rock filled canyon for one mile, the spring branch enters the Eleven Point River. There is no fishing, boating, floating or wading allowed in the spring branch.
Restrictions <strong><em>On the Trail</em></strong> <ul><li>Foot Traffic only on trail.</li><li>No motorized vehicles are permitted.</li><li>Swimming, wading, and floating is prohibited in the spring and spring branch.</li><li>Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.</li><li>Both camping and campfires are prohibited.</li></ul><strong><em>At the Trailhead and Spring</em></strong> <ul><li>No overnight camping in day use areas at any time of year.</li><li>Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the day use area</li><li>No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.</li><li>Fireworks are prohibited.</li></ul>There is a <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mtnf/notices/?cid=FSEPRD978846">Forest Order</a> for this area with more specific restrictions. Please read the Order before visiting Greer Springs.
Accessibility <p>The toilets are accessible. The trail to the spring is relatively smooth, however there is a moderately steep incline down to the spring.</p>