The Ranch

Crystal Creek Ranch is comprised of over a thousand acres of land, which is close to 2 square miles. This region of the Missouri Ozarks is rugged, hilly ground, and alternates between wooded hills and small open valleys. Over 2 miles of creeks run thru the ranch and flow into the nearby Jacks Fork River, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. In addition, we are blessed with many small springs and a spring-fed three-acre lake. The Ranch is comprised of about 400 acres of pasture and hay ground, with the remainder being a mixture of woods, cliffs, glades, and a variety of different ecosystems.

Traditionally, the ground was used to raise livestock, with some of the bottom fields planted to corn or other crops. Today most all of the open ground is maintained in pasture and used to graze and feed cattle and other farm animals. These include sheep, goats, cows, rabbits, and a large variety of chickens, ducks, and other poultry. Many of the small animals roam the central Ranch area as part of our farm experience.

Our Purpose

We present nature to people through the beauty and diversity of the ranch.

We help others to experience and learn about animals, plants, and the ranch environment through observation and interaction.

We encourage spiritual growth and the Christ Consciousness that is raised by our inner recognition of God in nature and ourselves.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all on a search for God, on a pursuit of the fruits of the spirit: peace, joy, patience, love, kindness, gentleness, and yes, even self-control. Whether we may think these come from material things, or realize that these are spiritual first, they touch in all of us truth and harmony, a oneness that is God. We feel that nature offers us a chance to experience this oneness, this harmonious symphony of the universe that is God.

We strive to be non-judgmental and to realize that everyone’s journey begins exactly from where they are at, today, through their own God-given free will. We strive to realize that true planting of the seeds of the fruits of the spirit involves “doing” first, of letting our actions themselves determine whether our words are worth listening to.

Nature teaches us that we can plant the seeds, that we can encourage their growth, that these seeds will reproduce themselves exactly in the nature of what the seed is, and that they can yield many times over. In patience… in due season…. in belief.

Board of Directors

Our Board is composed of seven members who are all active participants in the communities surrounding Crystal Creek Ranch. All of our members have been with us since our formation as a 501-c-3 Nonprofit Corporation in 2012, and we are extremely thankful and blessed to have the wealth of experience, knowledge, and spiritual awareness that they bring to the Ranch.

Dave Barnett- Banker, Summersville, MO

Bette Byrne- Educator, Eminence, MO

Bill Byrne- Businessman, Eminence, MO

Dr. Hilary Frescoln- Physician, Mountain View, MO

Ed Huffman- Accountant, Birch Tree, MO

Dr. Jon Roberts- Physician, Winona, MO

Charles Cantrell- Attorney at Law, Mountain View MO

How to get here: 

Crystal Creek Ranch is located 4 miles from Eminence, Missouri, 2 miles from the Alley Spring Mill, and 1 mile from the Jacks Fork River, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.  We are a part of Shannon County, of which over 65% of the county land is in state or national forests or the Federal Park System. 

The area is known for its numerous springs, rivers, wildlife and natural beauty.  Crystal Creek Ranch lies off of E Highway, which runs north and south between 106 Highway on the north, and U.S. Highway 60 on the south. 

If traveling on 106 Highway, go south on E Highway approx. 1 mile to our Ranch sign.

 If coming in from 60 Highway, go north approx. 9 miles on E Highway to our sign.  The sign is about 4 x 6 feet, so you shouldn’t miss it.  At the sign turn east on County Road 414, a well-maintained gravel road. Go 1 mile to the Ranch (stay to the left when the road forks).  The County Road ends at the Ranch.  

Program GPS units for Street Name Address: CR-E-414, Eminence MO