Rush Springs Offers Outdoor Fun

Rush Springs Ranch ATV Park is an outdoor-lover’s oasis offering the ultimate off-road experience. The park boasts 800 acres of prime rock-crawling, horseback riding and camping in McDonald County.

Russell van Elk purchased the property in 1978 after moving to the Ozarks from the Windy City — Chicago. He maintained the property as a private nature reserve until five years ago, when he opened the park to Jeeps and rock-crawling enthusiasts. A few years later, he opened a separate area of the park to horseback riders.

Located west of Jane, off of Missouri Highway 90, the terrain of Rush Springs offers something for all who visit.

Native karst limestone makes for beautiful, sometimes challenging, rock formations for riders of any experience level or vehicle type. Sixty-five miles of interconnecting trails wind through towering hardwood trees, fields full of native wildflowers and grasses, and a number of man-made ATV obstacles including a large gravel pit and mud hole.

Rush Springs offers a number of facilities for those interested in riding the trails on horseback. A wash station, covered and uncovered stalls, and 18 large, pull-through camping sites with hookups for RVs or horse trailers are available. There is also an arena that can be rented and a barn that is available for boarding.

Those wishing to tent camp can do so at one of the campground’s maintained sites or any of the remote, primitive sites throughout the ranch.

The park has eight fullyequipped cabins that can accommodate between three and nine visitors. Each have electricity, air conditioning and heat, microwaves and small refrigerators. A primitive cabin is also available, with a view overlooking the ponds.

Serene ponds and springfed streams provide visitors with a beautiful backdrop and spot for horses to beat the heat or for their riders to cast a line. Each of the three ponds on-site are stocked with bass and perch.

These water sources also help foster a stable wildlife population within the park. Visitors have reported sightings of turkey, deer, quail, beavers, and the rare bear or mountain lion.

Sustainability and preservation are integral to the operation of Rush Springs.

“All of the wood used to build cabins or make renovations is harvested right here,” said van Elk. “We cut the trees up with a band saw, prepare the lumber and put it back to use on the property.”

Oak, walnut, ash and sycamore crops are replanted to maintain the ecosystem of the area.

“We also regularly reseed clover and native grasses to provide for wildlife,” said Natural Resource Manager Melissa Nichols. “We try our best to keep it natural.”

Van Elk is always looking for new ways to repurpose old items. He recently purchased five insurancesalvage boats that he is renovating into cabins that will sleep two to eight people.

“They’re boats that have been in storms or blown aground. Their engines or bottoms might be scratched but they’re otherwise intact,” he said.

Each will be fully-equipped and feature a shaded deck out front.

Rush Springs Ranch also offers guided horse, buggy and Jeep tours through the park as well as driving lessons.

Rush Springs Ranch is located at 80 Rush Springs Lane, Pineville. For more information, call 479-2024477.

The park is open every day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., even during events. If an attendant is not available at the gate, a self check-in is provided.

PHOTOS BY MEGAN DAVIS/ MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Above: Rush Springs ATV Park welcomes ALL-terrain vehicles — including horses. Equine amenities include the arena and horse barn shown as well as a horse-washing station and a variety of covered and uncovered stalls throughout the park. Right: Three...

Owner Russell van Elk stands amid his latest addition to Rush Springs — what he calls “the marina.” Van Elk is remodeling out-of-service boats to be unique cabins that can sleep two to eight people. Most days, he can be found somewhere on the property,...

A notoriously-steep hill on the property — dubbed ‘Suicide Hill’ — attracts the attention of many visitors. Over the years, the incline grows sharper as the rain gradually erodes the rock and washes it away.