Shop Creek, West Fork

Note: April 2011 tornado deposited lots of wood in the upper gorge blocking all rapids above 'Blue-Light Special'. As with most small Ozark creeks, be mindful of wood blocking the channel.

Put-in: Go North on Newton County Road 8766 from Hwy 16 at Deer and head toward Wayton. This road takes you past the Alum Cove NFS recreation area. Continue for 1.1 miles North past the rec. area to NFS road 1206D to the right (East) which goes to a shooting range. Follow several hundred yards and park without blocking the road. Go East down the Hill to the creek.

Take-out: Continue North on CR 28 as it turns into Hwy 327 at Wayton on to Parthenon. Park on the upstream East side of the bridge over Shop Creek.