Hazel Creek winds along the northern edge of the Ozark Trail’s Trace Creek Section, creating a lovely tree-lined corridor through the forest. Its clear, shallow waters are typically easy to cross, though after heavy rain, this crossing can become wide and ankle-deep. Luckily, there is a downstream log crossing that often provides a drier option. The creek’s soft trickle on the rocks and shaded banks make it a peaceful companion along the trail, especially in spring when wildflowers bloom along its edges.