Bell Mountain Wilderness

Bell Mountain Wilderness, located in Missouri's St. Francois Mountains, features a rugged landscape of oak-hickory forests dotted with pine, elm, grassy glades, and lichen-covered granite outcroppings. This unique blend of mature forest, pine stands, and open glades reveals the diverse ecology of the Missouri Ozarks. Wildlife sightings may include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, squirrels, and birds like pileated woodpeckers and wood thrushes, especially in the oak-hickory canopy. Named after a family that once farmed here, the area is great for a day of hiking, with 11.9 miles of trails including a section of the Ozark Trail. Bell and Lindsey Mountains provide scenic views over striking rock formations and granite glades. Visitors can also explore two perennial streams: Shut-in Creek, winding through scenic gorges, and Joe's Creek.