Alley Spring Mill Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

This is a very popular spot. Go early or during the week to best avoid crowds, but even at busy times few visitors go beyond the Mill and spring. These are icons of the Ozarks. The rest of the trail takes you up to a great view above the Mill and spring, then along the ridge through great forest, some switchbacks down, and then you loop back along the spring branch.

From the parking lot, there is a paved path to the Mill. Go left to switchbacks that quickly climb the bluff to the overlook. You'll then hike through the forest along the ridge. Longer switchbacks take you back down to a short bit on a gravel road. Keep right across a grassy area to rejoin the singletrack trail along the spring branch. You may be sharing this stretch with other visitors, but there are lots of cool rock formations to enjoy on your way back to the spring. The trail goes around the spring to the Mill.

Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Pine Warbler, American Redstart. Compass plant, coneflower, and shortleaf pine. Green damselflies at the spring.

Lots of interpretive signs and helpful NPS folks to fill you in on Ozark history.