Hercules Glade Firetower Trailhead Camping | Wild Camping

July 2nd, 2023 by importantpancreas48

I've been coming out here to camp for close to two decades. I have nothing but fond memories of this place, but be careful. Whether you're camping at the glade top around the fire tower or hiking down in to camp in the *few* primitive sites, there are black bears. I'd always known about them, but didn't see one until my most recent outing in July 2023 hiking back up to the glade top about a 1/2 mile away from the trailhead. There was maybe 20 yards between the bear and I, but it was more spooked by me than I was of it as it took off faster than any living thing I've ever seen within three seconds of noticing my presence. Be safe!

November 6th, 2022 by bobcatcollins1991

it is indeed nice as the other posters have said. if you are on an adventure bike as I am the trials are for hiking or horses only. but a good place to pitch a tent nonetheless. (;

December 23rd, 2021 by elizabethmcjones

Great camping spot, right at the trailhead. USFS website confirms camping is allowed (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mtnf/recarea/?recid=21754). Decent 4g Verizon signal. Several fire rings and picnic tables. Clean pit toilet. No water in immediate area, but there are a couple of creek crossings on 125 to the north. Lovely trails to hike.

January 15th, 2021 by robert

Several places to park and camp with several fire rings and picnic tables. There is a vaulted toilet next to the fire tower.

October 22nd, 2020 by instagram.com/derekdohrman

i got here late at night based on the previous post about this place. great place to stop. free. quiet. toilet. picnic benches and trails.

the tower is locked down. fence with barb wire around it. the trails are fun, but the waterfall was dried up when i came in mid october. might be better in the spring.

had a bar or two with verizon and was even able to get a little work done.

July 7th, 2020 by instagram.com/chasinnirvana

The trailhead campground offers 3-4 established sites with fire rings. We stayed in a grassy area with our van and awning. We had one neighbor over the 4th of July weekend so I assume it’s not used much. There is a firetower that offers expansive views of the Ozark Mountains. It’s located within the Mark Twain National Forest. Forest Ranger came late at night but didn’t bother us.