Barry: Nature, Trails and County History

A deep, narrow valley, rugged Ozark scenery and museums with very different collections give Barry a distinctive character. In Barry County, Roaring River State Park lies in a valley surrounded by rugged terrain. Outdoor experiences and insights into the county’s history offer different highlights to consider as you plan your trip.

Valley, Spring and Trails Through Nature

More than 20 million gallons of clear water at a temperature of 57 °F flow from a spring into the Roaring River every day. Rainbow trout are stocked at Roaring River State Park, where fishing is possible year-round. Those interested in the landscape will find 2,075 acres of dense hardwood forest, open dolomite glades and deep hollows in the Roaring River Hills Wild Area. The Fire Tower Trail provides access to this area.

The Ozark-Chinqapin Trail offers a different way to experience nature: It starts at the parking lot and returns there in a loop after a few miles. Along the way, it passes through the Elk River Breaks Natural Area. The size of another protected area also puts the region in perspective: John Baumgardt Memorial Conservation Area covers 503 acres in southern Barry County.

Interpretive displays at the Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center offer information about the park’s habitats, geology and wildlife. The live animal exhibits include two snakes. Interpretive programs at Roaring River State Park take place on most weekends from March through October; if you’re planning a visit around one, it’s worth checking the schedule.

Museums and Traces of County History

The Golden Pioneer Museum combines natural history with local history. It offers a glimpse into the lives of early Indigenous inhabitants and the settlers who arrived in the 19th century. The collection of Indigenous artifacts includes more than 800 pieces of Indigenous pottery, as well as baskets and simple tools. Another highlight is the Carnival Glass collection, one of the largest in the Midwest. The museum also displays a single quartz crystal, terminated at both ends, that weighs 1,250 pounds.

The Barry County Museum focuses on the county’s geographic, agricultural, industrial, educational and social development. It is located one mile south of Cassville along Highways 112, 76 and 86. The building covers 16,500 square feet and sits on a 16-acre site. The museum also includes the Black Schoolhouse, which was relocated and renovated after previously standing on Y Highway north of Cassville. It was one of 112 rural schools in Barry County. The museum is also home to Fields’ Photo Archives, with more than one million negatives of people, places and events in the county. The Bayless-Salyer House, built in 1879, is also in Cassville.

Trails and Things to Do in Cassville

In Cassville, the 2.9-mile Greenway Trail runs through the city’s park system. The route is suitable for walking and biking and follows Flat Creek between Rocky Edmondson Park to the north and South Aquatic Park and Reenactment Field to the south. This trail through town offers a different setting to complement the county’s outdoor experiences.

For a seasonal activity, Harvick Farms in Cassville offers gardening and self-sufficiency classes as well as pick-your-own produce. Cassville is also home to Big M Marina, a public full-service marina on Table Rock Lake that offers boat rentals. These options offer different focuses: trails for walking or biking, time on the water, fishing, or insights into local history and collections.

What You Want Your Stay to Be About

When choosing a vacation rental, you can consider which experiences you want your vacation to center on. If nature and fishing are your priorities, you can plan around Roaring River State Park and the surrounding protected areas. For city trails, museum history and seasonal farm activities, the things to do in Cassville described here offer a different point of reference. The combination of landscape and history gives you room to choose your focus without trying to fit every activity into the same vacation day.

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