Outdoor News


Take a dip in the picturesque but icy water of Althea Spring for an invigorating experience on the lower North Fork of the White River. Althea Spring can be accessed from the back of the parking lot at Patrick Bridge on H Highway or from the river just below the bridge. The spring features beautiful turquoise water and an inviting waterfall that plunges over what was once the watermill dam.
Editor’s note: Floating Ozark County’s cold, clear streams is a favorite summertime activity for both local residents and tourists, but accessing Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White River takes more effort now than it did before the historic 2017 flood heavily damaged or destroyed many put...

District wilderness manager Johnathan Rhodes, left, and Youth Conservation Corps crew leader David Paul work to repair a gate at the North Fork Recreation Area that was damaged by unknown vandals last week. The recreation area, known locally as Hammond Camp, is off CC Highway south of Dora.
Ozark County and U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers are investigating damage and vandalism at the North Fork Recreation Area on the North Fork of the White River in the Mark Twain National Forest near Dora. The public campground and river access off CC Highway, known locally as Hammond...
Gainesville resident Carol Cooper got quite a surprise Friday, May 24, when a black bear visited her property. Cooper, who lives just west of the Gainesville Elementary school off Highway 160, heard something making noise in the garage Friday morning and decided to investigate. When she went inside...

The North Fork Recreation Area/Hammond access, located off CC Highway southeast of Dora, is currently closed while construction crews complete a massive renovation to the river access. Crews are waiting to lay asphalt on the parking lot and road, a task that has been delayed several times due to continued rain. The new design features two boat ramps that will separate guests who are swimming from floaters backing down the ramp to launch canoes, kayaks and boats. Previously, the access just had one ramp that was used for swimming and launching boats, which caused a safety concern. Photo above: The ramp on the left in the above photo will be used as a boat launch, while the ramp further downstream, pictured on the right, is designated for water play. The campground located within the access is also closed. See page 12 for additional information.
Editor’s note: Floating Ozark County’s cold, clear streams is a favorite summertime activity for both local residents and tourists, but accessing Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White River takes more effort now than it did before the historic 2017 flood heavily damaged or destroyed many put...
Gainesville resident Carol Cooper got quite a surprise Friday, May 24, when a black bear visited her property. Cooper, who lives just west of the Gainesville Elementary school off Highway 160, heard something making noise in the garage Friday morning and decided to investigate. When she went inside...

The North Fork Recreation Area/Hammond access, located off CC Highway southeast of Dora, is currently closed while construction crews complete a massive renovation to the river access. Crews are waiting to lay asphalt on the parking lot and road, a task that has been delayed several times due to continued rain. The new design features two boat ramps that will separate guests who are swimming from floaters backing down the ramp to launch canoes, kayaks and boats. Previously, the access just had one ramp that was used for swimming and launching boats, which caused a safety concern. Photo above: The ramp on the left in the above photo will be used as a boat launch, while the ramp further downstream, pictured on the right, is designated for water play. The campground located within the access is also closed. See page 12 for additional information.
Editor’s note: Floating Ozark County’s cold, clear streams is a favorite summertime activity for both local residents and tourists, but accessing Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White River takes more effort now than it did before the historic 2017 flood heavily damaged or destroyed many put...

Times photo / Jessi Dreckman. River outfitter Sunburst Ranch’s new owners are Bryan and Stephanie Bade, at right, who bought the business April 1 from Justin and Amy Spencer, left. The Spencers will continue working with the Bades this summer to insure a smooth transition.
North Fork River outfitter Sunburst Ranch has new owners. Bryan and Stephanie Bade bought the campground, cabin and canoe outfitter April 1 from Justin and Amy Spencer, who had owned the resort for the last 15 years. The new owners say Sunburst will have the same policies, prices and offerings as...

Straight-line winds on Saturday afternoon toppled this large tree, upending the huge rootball and bringing down utility lines on Highway 181 in Gainesville.
Ozark County endured some rough weather in the past week. Late Saturday afternoon strong, straight-line winds toppled several trees around the area. This week’s sheriff’s report, page A8, lists eight calls reporting downed trees and/or power lines in a little more than an hour, beginning at 4:30 p....

Bell Bridge: Floaters seeking a more nature-focused experience often choose Bryant Creek, seen here at Bell Bridge on Highway 95 near the northern boundary of Ozark County.
Editor’s note: Floating Ozark County’s cold, clear streams is a favorite summertime activity for both local residents and tourists, but accessing Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White River takes more effort now than it did before the historic 2017 flood heavily damaged or destroyed many put...

Times photo / Jessi Dreckman. River outfitter Sunburst Ranch’s new owners are Bryan and Stephanie Bade, at right, who bought the business April 1 from Justin and Amy Spencer, left. The Spencers will continue working with the Bades this summer to insure a smooth transition.
North Fork River outfitter Sunburst Ranch has new owners. Bryan and Stephanie Bade bought the campground, cabin and canoe outfitter April 1 from Justin and Amy Spencer, who had owned the resort for the last 15 years. The new owners say Sunburst will have the same policies, prices and offerings as...

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Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423