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LAKES / PONDS

Several lakes and ponds are close by for watersports and fishing.

Alley Spring Mill

Brushy Pond
36.80124,-91.5388127

  • Sinkhole marsh
  • Wild hibiscus in the summer
  • Unusual wetland plants

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/brushy-pond

48 miles From West Plains

Take Highway 160 east toward Alton. In Alton, turn left on Highway 19 north. Go 15 miles and turn right onto Forest Service Road 4220. Brushy Pond is just north of the pull off.

Cupola Pond
36.79922,-91.1070838

  • 5-acre swamp
  • Water Tupelo trees usually found in the Mississippi delta
    Sediments dating back 23,000 years

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/cupola-pond

  

70 miles From West Plains

Take Highway 63 north toward Willow Springs. Just before Willow Springs, take Highway 60 east toward Mountain View. At Fremont, turn right on J Highway. In 14 miles, turn left onto Forest Service road 3224. Travel 1 mile then turn left onto Forest Service road 4823 (CR C-7Ab). Continue 1 mile. The road will dead-end. Park at the turn-around and find the trailhead on the northwest corner of the parking area. A map and compass is recommended to explore the area.

Grassy Pond
36.9718708, -91.2997299

  • Sinkhold pond
  • Typically wet in winter and spring and dry in summer and fall

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/grassy-pond

  

53 miles From West Plains

Take Highway 63 north toward Willow Springs. Just before Willow Springs, take Highway 60 east toward Mountain View. Past Winona, turn right on County Road 583 (Forest Road 4261). In one mile, the pond will be on your right.

Marg Pond
36.8211917,-92.0814191

  • Sinkhold pond
  • Surrounded by Sphagnum Moss
  • Typically wet in winter and spring and dry in summer and fall

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/marg-pond

54 miles From West Plains

Take Highway 63 north toward Willow Springs. Just before Willow Springs, take Highway 60 east toward Mountain View. Marg Pond is on County Road 60-A. Past Winona, make a U-turn at W Hwy and head back west on Highway 60. (County Road 60-A cannot be accessed from the eastbound lane.) County Road 60-A will be the next road to the right. Marg Pond is on the left in less than a half mile.

Tupelo Gum Pond
36.8712038, -91.9477773

  • Ancient sinkhole pond swamp and marsh
  • Water Tupelo trees usually found in the Mississippi delta
  • Typically wet in winter and spring and dry in summer and fall
  • In wet years, blooms of American lotus and rose mallow

https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/tupelo-gum-pond

gumpond

37 miles From West Plains

Take Highway 160 east toward Alton. Turn left onto Highway 99 toward Thomasville. From Thomasville, go 3.25 miles to County Road 3173. Go approximately 8 miles then turn right on Forest Service Road 3239. In 2 miles the road will Y, go to the left. Park and head south to the pond. A map and compass are recommended to explore this area.