Driving DirectionsFrom Doniphan, take Highway 142 west 11 miles, then Route P south 7 miles to the area. HighlightsThe West Fork of Fourche Creek runs through this area. About This AreaFourche Creek CA has five tracts in Ripley County approximately 15 miles southwest of Doniphan.Most of the area was obtained by the University of Missouri in 1862 from the Federal government and sold to the Department of Conservation in 1965. During its century of ownership the University paid little attention to the property other than selling a site for the Gatewood School. Many local residents referred to it as the “Ag land” or “Agriculture land” and utilized it by cutting timber, grazing livestock, and farming. As many as 17 families lived on it at one time, the last of which moved away in the 1990’s.Fourche Creek CA is predominantly forest land, only 4% of the area is open in old fields and small glades. The forested acreage is mostly oak-hickory with some pine stands that were planted in the early 1970’s.