Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area
T
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2017

Nicely private, but not a lot of scenery

Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is part of mark Twain National Forest. It's a bit off the beaten path, but worth it for a day hike or a bit of backpacking.

Since it's wilderness area, you can camp just about anywhere with few restrictions. There are a few primitive sites at the trailhead, no water or toilets.

A few hundred yards from the Coy Bald Trailhead there is a fork in the trail. Going left gets you to the falls and the majority of the camp sites with the shortest route, about three miles.

The trail is pretty rough and rocky with moderate elevation changes. I'd rate it on the low side of moderate difficulty.

About a mile in you'll cross the river for the first time. There are camp sites with fire rings on both sides of the river. This is a scenic area with bluffs on one side of the river, but forested, so no views to speak of.

About three miles in, you'll cross the river the second time. There are a number of camping areas with fire rings along the river.

Downstream a few hundred feet are the falls that most people go to see. Unfortunately for us, there wasn't enough water for them to be running. There was enough water to wade around in and soak the feet. It was quite nice!

The area is pretty and quiet, we saw only a handful of people in the two days we were there. The only issue was the ticks, they were the worst I'd dealt with in some time.

All in all, a nice hike and a nice bit if camping. I'd go back to see the falls again.

SiteNo labels
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017
  • Review photo of Hercules-Glades Wilderness Area by Tyson B., November 29, 2017