Heading west through the heart of the Ozarks, this 19-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 160 from Forsyth to Reeds Spring offers a scenic ride that balances wooded hillsides, charming small towns, and a few key highway interchanges. It’s not the most famous route in Missouri, but it provides a peaceful drive and a solid look at the natural terrain and rural culture of southwest Missouri.
We begin our journey in the city of Forsyth, where U.S. Highway 160 intersects with Missouri Supplemental Highway Y. Forsyth sits along the White River arm of Bull Shoals Lake, a popular area for boating and fishing. If you’re looking to stretch your legs before hitting the road, Shadow Rock Park is a nice place to relax along the river. Heading out of town, we pass the junction with Missouri Route 176, a familiar companion that parallels and intersects our path a couple of times on this trip. Once past this intersection, the environment shifts quickly from small-town neighborhoods to a more wooded and rural setting.
Traveling north briefly, we glide through the community of Merriam Woods, a growing area that blends residential subdivisions with dense Ozark woodlands. This portion of the route curves through tree-lined hills and valleys, and while there aren’t many tourist stops here, the natural beauty makes it a pleasant segment. As we reach Supplemental Highway F, we’re skirting the edge of Walnut Shade, a small community that acts as a bit of a local crossroads. It’s here that MO-160 intersects again with Missouri Route 176, which runs north toward Spokane and Highlandville.
The drive gets a bit more fast-paced as we approach U.S. Highway 65, a major north-south route connecting Branson to Springfield. While we don’t spend any time on US-65 itself, the interchange here is notable for its convenience—it’s a popular entry or exit point for people heading to Branson. From this junction, the scenery opens up again, and we start to gain elevation as we continue west into the rolling hills that define this part of the Ozarks.
Shortly afterward, we meet Missouri Highway 248, and for a while, U.S. 160 runs concurrently with MO-248. This combined stretch winds through Stone County, offering views of grassy ridges and forested valleys. This segment is especially beautiful in fall, when the oak and maple forests light up in shades of red and orange. It’s also a good route for spotting wildlife—keep an eye out for deer, wild turkey, and even the occasional bald eagle.
As we draw closer to Reeds Spring, the highway levels out slightly, and signs of more concentrated development return. The drive ends at the junction with Missouri Highway 13, just northeast of Reeds Spring. This intersection is a key node for travelers heading to Table Rock Lake, Branson West, or continuing further north to Springfield. Reeds Spring itself is a quiet community, but it’s near a lot of regional attractions. From here, you’re only a few miles from Silver Dollar City, the famed Branson Strip, and several recreational areas tied to Table Rock Lake.
Whether you’re taking this route as part of a longer journey or just exploring a scenic stretch of southwest Missouri, U.S. Highway 160 between Forsyth and Reeds Spring offers a pleasant, laid-back drive with a touch of everything: hills, history, and highways.
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