Renowned as one of America’s finest Scouting facilities for over five decades, accommodations at The Ranch can now be reserved by the general public as well. Within its 5,200 acres of pristine woodlands, the crown jewel of this remarkable property is the 270-acre Nims Lake, a haven for visitors to relish an abundance of exhilarating water activities. Not to be missed is Huck’s Cove, a water park boasting two water slides, a zip line, and rope swings!
Things to Do
Three Notch Trail
This 21-mile trail consists of two circular loops and a cutoff, all completely within the boundaries of The Ranch. Units can choose to hike one or both loops. Upon completing the hike, Scouts may obtain a patch Scouts to celebrate their achievement.
Three Notch is a great backpacking trail and the perfect training warm-up for Philmont. This trail is rated for Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Explorers. It is not recommended for Cub Scouts or Webelos. NOTE: During high-water conditions on the Little St. Francois River, sections of this trail are not accessible. Trail maps are available at any council service center.
Rock Climbing and Rappelling
Experience the thrill of high adventure on the cliffs of Freedom, Ranger Falls, Collarbone, or Baby Snake. Scouts learn the ups and downs of safe rock climbing and rappelling while building new levels of confidence and overcoming the uneasiness of heights. Campsites are available cliff-top along the Little St. Francis River or near Castle Rock.
Scouting units must provide their own trained rock-climbing instructors. Climbing equipment is available for a fee.
Shooting Sports
The Eagle Range provides units with trap & skeet shooting facilities. Archery and rifle ranges are also available on the property.
Challenge Course
This outstanding high- and low-challenge course is available year-round for troops, crews, and posts with trained leadership. It involves a series of outdoor tasks—beginning with basic group initiative games and progressing to more advanced low-course and high-course activities. Participants climb, swing, balance, jump, and think their way through a variety of physical challenges. These events put teamwork, as well as individual skills and agility, to the test.
Camping facilities are available at the course site.
Ron & Kathy Green STEM Pavilion
Located in Camp Famous Eagle, the Ron & Kathy Green STEM Pavilion has two covered open wings with picnic tables to conduct activities. The storage building is stocked with materials to bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics experiences for your Den, Pack, Troop, unit meeting, or other event!
The following activities are available: Ham radio, handheld microscopes/Vulcan notebooks, mineral science kits, electronic snap circuits, stomp rockets, Bloxels game design kits/tablets, drones, Lego engineering gadget sets, gravity maze sets, 3D pens, and Vex robot kits/laptops.
The building has lights for use in the evening. Enjoy this great resource!
Canoes
Canoes are available from April through October for troops, crews, and posts. Every participant must be a swimmer and wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Thirty canoes are available. If fishing, all participants 16-64 years of age must possess a valid Missouri State Fishing License.
Fishing
Whether Scouts are casting from the shore or trolling from a boat, Nims Lake offers miles of excellent fishing right in the heart of S bar F Ranch. Units are welcome to use their own boats.
S Bar F is allowing personal boat fishing at Nims Lake. There will be a 6 boat maximum each day. It will cost $20 for each boat for Scouting members and $30 each boat for Non-Scouting member. You must rinse trailer, boat, bilge, live well, and motor prior to launching into Nims Lake.
If you are a Non-Scouting member using a personal fishing boat you will need to fill out the Rental Agreement and bring it with you to check in with the Rangers. Click here for the form.
See boating and fishing rules below.
S bar F Scout Ranch Nims Lake Boating and Fishing Regulations:
- Safety Afloat Guidelines are required for all boating activities.
- Reservations must be made at the council service center.
- Nims Lake was built for the Scouts. While fishing, each leader must be accompanied by at least one Scout. Every person in any watercraft (maximum 3) must be a swimmer and wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. NOTE: A current Missouri state fishing license is required for all persons between the ages of 16 and 64.
- Fishing with live minnows is not permitted.
- Electric trolling motors only—gasoline engines are not permitted on the lake.
- All participants must check in with the rangers and present a camp use permit.
- Fishing is a unit activity—not individual. Buddy boats are required—see Safety Afloat Guidelines.
- All other camp rules are in effect. Violators will be asked to leave the property.
Places to Stay
Tent Camping
S-F features a wide variety of options for tent camping. Campers can stay overnight at the picturesque Nims Lake Overlook, spread out in the spacious Camporee Field, enjoy the privacy of one of our individual campsites, and even hang a hammock on our Hammock Village located on Nims Lake. Outpost trail camps are available along the Three Notch Trail. Most camping areas are equipped with water spigots and outdoor pit toilet facilities. Please contact our Camping Department if you have questions about water and bathroom availability for your camping area.
Cabins
Scout Lodge and Wenzel Lodge offer bunk beds. Each cabin sleeps a total of 34. Both have a refrigerator, stove, and dry sink and are heated by a wood stove. Water spigots and pit toilet facilities are located near each lodge. Scouting units must provide their own firewood and cooking gear.
Tree Houses
The Tree Houses at S bar F are the perfect spot for your unit to overlook beautiful Nims Lake. Five tree houses are available for use. Four of the houses contain eight bunks each. The fifth house, usually reserved for adult campers, is equipped with electricity and features six bunks. Total capacity for all five tree houses is 38. An outdoor fire pit, grill, water pump, and pit toilet facilities are available. Scouting units provide their own cooking gear and firewood.
Shawnee Lodge Adirondacks
Enjoy a beautiful view of Nims Lake by bringing your group to the Shawnee Lodge Adirondacks. These two-story, three-sided structures feature eight beds on each level. Three structures are available to rent individually, totaling 16 beds each. The Eagle Scout Association (ESA) Pavilion is a short distance up the hill from the Adirondacks and is available on a first-come first-serve basis. This large pavilion features electricity with lights, several picnic tables, and a grill.
Londe Adirondack Village
Here, Scouts can discover the world of adirondack camping. These unique shelters have three sides and use a fireplace placed near the opening for warmth. The village includes five adirondack shelters, a pavilion, and latrine facilities.
Swift Lodge (available August-May)
The Swift Base lodge is heated and has bunk arrangements for 35. A wood-burning fireplace, indoor water, full kitchen, showers, and bathrooms with flush toilet facilities are all included. Scouting units provide their own cooking gear and firewood.
Orthwein Village Cabins
Come spend a relaxing weekend in one of our family cabins! Built through a generous donation by the Orthwein Foundation, these cabins are located in the tranquil woods of S-F Scout Ranch and feature many modern amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Each cabin has central heat and air conditioning, high-speed internet, a large-screen smart tv, and washer and dryer. Guests will have access to two private bedrooms, each with two twin beds and their own full bathroom. You will also enjoy a complete kitchen, dining and living areas, and a large covered porch. Nim's Lake is just a just a 3-minute walk from the cabins, and the rest of S-F is in your backyard. Reserve your cabin today and experience the Ranch in a whole new way!
Tipis
Three authentic tipis are available to units whose leaders have participated in the proper instruction. Scouts get to put their skills to the test erecting and camping in these Native American structures.
Dining Halls & Meeting Spaces
Leadership Hall
Leadership Hall is state-of-the-art 16,000 square-foot dining facility. The spacious hall features seating for up to 450 people, a commercial kitchen , an audio visual system, and indoor restrooms and storm shelter. Looking for an indoor location for a large event? Schedule a tour of Leadership Hall!
Nims Lake Overlook Pavilion
The Nims Lake Overlook Pavilion provides a beautiful setting for your group to eat, meet, and relax. This pavilion features an outdoor kitchen with running water and charcoal grill, electricity, and a large, elevated deck (Crows Nest) to get an even greater view.
Reserving the treehouses, Shawnee Lodge Adirdonacks, or tent camping area at Nims Overlook does not grant access to this pavilion. The pavilion must be added to those reservations if the group wishes to use it.
Swift Lodge
Swift High Adventure Base has a dining lodge that includes two bunkrooms with sleeping accomodations for 34 people. The Lodge is heated and features a kitchen, AV equipment, and large screened-in porch.
Swift Pavilion
Located within Swift High Adventure Base, this large pavilion is easily accessible and has electricity, lighting, and water. Nims Lake is a short hike from the pavilion.
Summer Camps
For more than 50 years, S-F Scout Ranch has been providing the ultimate in Scouting experiences. One of the premier Scouting destinations in America, S-F features 5,200 wooded acres in Knob Lick, Mo. The highlight of the property is its 270-acre Nims Lake where Scouts enjoy endless water activities and Huck’s Cove water park featuring two water slides, a zip line, and rope swings.
Camp Famous eagle features the state-of-the-art, climate controlled Leadership Hall dining dining facility. Swift High Adventure Base, home of the Venturing and "Apex" Older Scout programs, also has a dining hall. Camp Gamble features a renowned patrol-method cooking camp, helping Scouts to build their self-confidence, leadership, and discipline skills throughout their week at camp.
In 2014, The Eagle Range was added to the property at S bar F. Generously funded by the Eagle Scout Association and NRA, the Eagle Range is a combination trap and skeet shooting facility. It contains five shooting stations at the trap field and eight shooting stations at the skeet field.
Camp Famous Eagle (Map)
Camp Gamble (Map )
Camp Sakima (Map)
Swift High Adventure Base (Map)
Learn about all S-F Summer Camps at https://stlbsa.org/camps/scouts-bsa-venturing-summer-camp/
Maps
Find your way with one of these maps (.pdf files)
Become an S bar F Campmaster
The S bar F Campmaster Corps members are registered Scouters who help visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. Campmasters provide a camp orientation for each unit upon arrival and inspect the camp upon departure to maintain safe, secure facilities.
Click here to learn more.
Contact Us
To make a reservation or modify an existing reservation, please visit our Camp Reservation page. If you need assistance, please contact our support staff by phone (314-256-3090), email (help@stlbsa.org), or our online help center.
Head Ranger: Rich Panosh | 573-756-5738 | rich.panosh@scouting.org
Ranger: Matt Unterreiner | 573-756-5738 | matt.unterreiner@scouting.org
Address: Highway 67, Knob Lick, MO 63651 (south of Farmington and north of Fredericktown)
