The Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry stands as a testament to successful and sustainable forest management within Pioneer Forest. This unique area showcases over sixty-five years of dedicated restoration across thousands of acres of forest and woodland, achieved through a conservative forestry approach that prioritizes individual tree selection for harvest. Visitors hiking through this backcountry are immersed in a living example of ecological recovery and thoughtful land stewardship.
In 2001, a significant milestone marked the history of this land. Leo Drey, the visionary behind Pioneer Forest, designated its largest block, encompassing approximately 62,000 acres, to be preserved for primitive and dispersed recreation. This vast expanse was named the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry, honoring Roger Pryor, a respected conservationist, friend, and advisor whose voice championed environmental preservation.
This expansive backcountry explicitly prohibits motorized vehicles beyond designated county roads, creating an unparalleled sanctuary for those seeking tranquility and immersion in nature. It is an idyllic destination for adventurers eager to explore off-trail, inviting long walks along the pristine Ozark streams. Explorers and nature enthusiasts will find this “big woods” area perfectly suited for camping under the stars, observing wildlife in their natural habitat, appreciating the sounds of nature, and capturing the scenic beauty through photography.
The Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry is truly remarkable, not only for its sheer size but also for the profound sense of wildness it offers. Spanning 62,000 contiguous acres, it represents the largest privately owned landholding in Missouri, and rivals many public lands in its scale and commitment to wilderness preservation. Nestled deep within the Ozark region of southern Missouri, north of the iconic Current River, this backcountry provides an exceptional experience for visitors seeking primitive recreation within a vast and undeveloped landscape.
Originating near Round Spring, the Backcountry plays a crucial role in protecting a substantial portion of the Current River watershed, encompassing over twenty miles of river frontage. Notably, some of this river frontage is managed under easement as part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a pioneering national river park in America. Within the backcountry, a network of trails meanders across clear Ozark streams, tracing the ridges, hollows, and bluffs of the Big Creek, Brushy Creek, and Blair Creek watersheds. The landscape here is characterized by its rugged and remote nature, defined by a karst topography featuring losing streams, intriguing caves, and natural springs. The presence of an igneous rock outlier further enriches the diversity of natural communities found within Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry.
For those who appreciate extensive hiking and exploration in a primitive setting, this area is unparalleled. The Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry boasts miles of Current River frontage, where dedicated volunteers have invested countless hours in constructing and maintaining trails that traverse this remarkable terrain. The journey began in the late 1970s with the Ozark Trail, an initial thirteen-mile segment crafted by Sierra Club volunteers. Today, additional trails lead explorers through picturesque areas like Laxton Hollow and alongside Brushy Creek. Hikers are rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the Current River, accessible via the extensive network of over 60 miles of hand-crafted trails that wind through the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry.
