CARTER                       165 Tunnel Bluff Woods

Tunnel Bluff Woods Natural Area

A 288-acre area owned by the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Mark Twain National Forest. The natural area straddles the Current River at the Ripley/Carter county line in the W1/2 of Section 15, NW1/4 of Section 22 and NE1/4, SE1/4 of Section 21, T25N, R1E, Grandin SW 7.5 min. topographic map. Accessible by Hawes Recreational Area Road off Hwy C on the west bank and Forest Service Road 3140 west of Grandin on the east bank. Designated September 23, 1994.

Natural Features--A diverse riverine community complex with a high quality mesic bottomland forest on a raised floodplain terrace in the Lower Ozarks Section of the Ozark Natural Division. The sycamore-dominated canopy contains very large, old trees, while the understory is sparse due to frequent flooding. Cane stands are interspersed throughout the bottom. Above the floodplain east of the river, a natural tunnel remains as part of a collapsed cave system. For further information contact the District Ranger at:

USDA Forest Service
Eleven Point Ranger District
#4 Confederate Ridge Road
Doniphan, Missouri 63935

(573) 996-2153

Stream near Tunnel Bluff Woods Natural Area