Witch Hazel is blooming at Hazel Creek along the Ozark Trail

The Ozark Witch Hazel is blooming along the creek at the Hazel Creek Recreation Area! At the campground follow the road and it curves to parallel Hazel Creek, before the road curves away from the creek-pull over. Walk over to the creek and look along the edge for the flowers-you'll probably be able to smell them when you're getting close--here's what the plant looks like.

To get here, from Highway 8 (between Steelville and Potosi) take Highyway Y south 7.5 miles, turn left on to County Road 657--there is a green and white street sign that says Brazil and a small home-made sign that say 657. Take this gravel road 5.4 miles to the sign for the Hazel Creek Forest Service Campground, turn right. note- when on 657 there's a spot where the road goes down a steep hill and sort of comes to a "T" interesection that can be confusing--go to the right here. This road crosses several "low water" bridges, so if it's been raining use caution and never try to cross high water or fast moving water.

this old rock structure will be on the right side when you drive in.

View of the Forest Service Campground area along the creek. The map will show two options for getting here. The Hwy Y to County Road 657 is the easiest, the other route is trickier, the roads on this other route do not have any signs. The GPS coordinates to the location of the Witch Hazel are 37.50.220'N,91.00.994'W

Click here to view/download a map showing how to get to Hazel Creek Campground.

Enjoy, and preserve and protect the areas that you travel in,
please pack out any trash that you may see. Thanks