Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry, Protected wilderness area in Shannon County, Missouri.
The Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry spans 62,000 acres of forested land, featuring natural karst formations, caves, springs, and miles of pristine Ozark streams.
In 2001, conservationist Leo Drey dedicated this extensive portion of Pioneer Forest for primitive recreation, naming it after environmental advocate Roger Pryor.
The development of hiking trails in the area began with Sierra Club volunteers who constructed the initial thirteen miles of the Ozark Trail in the 1970s.
The backcountry offers 27 miles of maintained trails for hiking and backpacking, including the Blair Creek Section and Brushy Creek Trail, with free admission year-round.
The Current River Natural Area within the backcountry contains trees reaching approximately 400 years of age, representing Missouri's ancient forest heritage.
Location: Missouri
Inception: 2001
GPS coordinates: 37.34360,-91.42220
Latest update: March 4, 2025 03:06
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