Cobb Ridge Recreation Area
Nestled on top of the ridge, in the hills, visitors will be able to experience the Ozark hills while camping and enjoying nature in the surrounding areas. Visitors to the campground mostly come for the plentiful off-road vehicle trails.
The campground fills quickly on the weekends when the weather is nice, especially holiday weekends. The Chadwick area is mostly forested with oak, hickory and pine woods on rocky ridge tops, with a few small open forest glades. Steep ridges break into narrow hollows with scattered surface rock and occasional rock ledges and patches of eastern red cedar.
Chadwick Motorized Trail System
Cobb Ridge Recreation Area lies in the center of the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV use area, which is popular among motorcycle, dirt bike and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Numerous trails provide nearly 80 miles of interconnecting loops that vary from easy to difficult terrain, winding in and out of deep, forested hollows and down long ridge tops.
Two off-trail travel areas near Cobb Ridge, the 3-acre Family Play Area and the 5-acre Trails Bike Area.
Photos of Cobb Ridge Recreation Area
Reservations
Some sites are first come, first served.
Reservation recommended for some sites -
- Group sites can be reserved up to 12 months in advance.
- Standard sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance.
- Reservations must be made at least 5 days in advance of visit.
General Information
Camping
The Cobb Ridge Campground provides a variety of campsite sizes, styles, development and locations. Most sites are fairly private, but some are close together and open enough to promote visiting between other camps.
Host: A year-round on-site host is available at the campground.
Amenities: The sites are equipped with tables, lantern posts, and campfire rings with grills. Flush and vault toilets, and drinking water are provided. Trash collection facilities are provided. There is a warm water shower building with 4 shower stalls, one of the stalls is handicap accessible.
Campsites include traditional back-in units and easily maneuvered pull-through units. Some single sites are long and wide enough to accommodate at least two motor vehicles and one towed trailer. Tent camping is also an option.
Please check the map on recreation.gov for which sites are back-in or pull-through.
The sites with electrical hookups have 110v outlets, and 30 and 50 amp breakers.
No. of Sites: 45
- Single Sites:
- 5 non-electric, tent only
- 12 non-electric, tent or RV
- 25 electric, tent or RV
- Group Sites
- 2 electric, pull-through sites that accommodate up to 3 camping units and 24 people
No. of Accessible sites: Site #10 is accessible
RV Camping: No water or sewer hookups available
Size Restrictions: We recommend that RV and trailer length not exceed 45 feet.
Pavement Type of Parking: Asphalt
Vehicle Clearance: No restrictions
Group Camping: The sites within the group loops are equipped with tables, lantern posts, and campfire rings with grills. Flush and vault toilets, and drinking water are available. Trash collection facilities are provided. There is a warm water shower building with 4 shower stalls, one of the stalls is handicap accessible.
Safety:
- During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures.
- Be aware of hunting seasons.
For more safety tips visit the Safety section of the website.
Available Maps:
- Chadwick Trails - PDF
Visit Visitor Maps and Guides for information on available Forest Visitor Maps, Topographic Maps, and Mobile App/Interactive Maps.
January - December
Campground
- Open 24 Hours a day to campers.
- Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM
- Check out time: 2:00PM
Trail Permit
- Riding permit required for Chadwick Trails.
Day Use Fees
Day Use Fees can be paid on-site using the provided fee tubes.
- Fees must be paid using cash or check, no credit card machines are available at any sites.
- Annual and Lifetime passes can be purchased to cover day use fees at USDA Forest Service operated sites.
Camping Discount
- There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an Interagency Access or Senior Pass.
- The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.
When you visit, please remember:
- Campers required to check-in with on-site host upon arrival and to pick up fee envelope if the site was not reserved online.
- Campground: Fees will be paid at the fee tube provided.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- No more than 8 people are permitted at single sites (16 for double sites).
- Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the campground.
- Only collect dead and downed wood for campfires.
On the Trail
- Riders must obey all State laws established for vehicles used off-highway.
- Motorized vehicles used in Chadwick riding area must be no more than 50 inches wide.
- Use only established numbered and approved trails - do not go cross country.
- Vehicles must have an appropriate muffler and approved spark arrester maintained in effective working order.
- All equipment must have operable braking systems.
At the Trailheads
- No overnight camping in day use areas at any time of year.
- No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
Overnight Use:
Single Site with no hook-up: $15 per night
Single Site with electric hook-up: $25 per night
Group Site: $75 per night
Day Use:
$2 per vehicle per day
$20 per annual
Camping
- Keep dogs on a six-foot, or shorter, leash when they are not inside a tent.
- Store dog food in bear-resistant containers and feed your pet away from the campsite.
- Pick up and bag your dog’s waste. Place it in a provided trash receptacle or pack it out.
- Do not leave your dog unattended at any time.
- Do not leave your dog in the vehicle on a hot day.
- Keep your dog in your tent or vehicle at night.
- Ensure that there is ample water available for your pet.
Wildlife
- Do not allow them to interact with wildlife
Address: 1006 S. Jefferson Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-4428
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; District Offices closed 1 - 1:30 for lunch (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 36.894675
Longitude: -93.099937
Elevation
1,300 feet
Directions
From Chadwick
- take Hwy 125 south 1.5 miles
- then turn right onto Hwy H and travel about 2 miles
- turn right onto Lookout Road and travel to where the pavement ends
- the entrance to the campground is on the left hand side where the pavement ends.
Parking
Campsite parking allows for two vehicles per site. Park only in designated parking areas.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
- Site #10 is handicap accessible, but there is no electricity.
- Vault toilet is accessible
- Showers are accessible
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
There is pressurized drinking water at Cobb Ridge.
No drinking water is available at trailheads or along the trail; bring what you will need, or be prepared to sterilize water you find.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Biking
Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Biking - Mountain Info
Nearly 80 miles of ATV, motorcycle and mountain bike trails, winding in and out of deep, forested hollows and down long ridge tops, that’s Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Area!
This trail is heavily used by ATV/OHV users. ATV's do have the right-of-way, so please be prepared for frequent stops.
Most trails stay on the ridge tops or hollow bottoms, with connecting trails crossing slide slopes. Some trail sections offer greater challenges than others. Various methods may be used to indicate closed trails. Travel only open marked trails, and stay off closed routes.
Off-trail travel is allowed only at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Camp Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the map provided at the top of the page.
Orange Diamonds with trail numbers mark the open, designated trails.
There are three trailheads - KC Pavilion, Oak Camp, and Camp Ridge. Visitors camping at Cobb Ridge can access the trail from the campground, but there's no day use parking or designated trailhead at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
Many trail segments that don’t drain well have been armored with interlocking concrete blocks.
OHV Trail Riding
OHV CampingOHV Trail Riding Info
Nearly 80 miles of ATV, motorcycle and mountain bike trails, winding in and out of deep, forested hollows and down long ridge tops, that’s Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Area!
This trail is heavily used by ATV/OHV users. ATV's do have the right-of-way, so please be prepared for frequent stops.
Most trails stay on the ridge tops or hollow bottoms, with connecting trails crossing slide slopes. Some trail sections offer greater challenges than others. Various methods may be used to indicate closed trails. Travel only open marked trails, and stay off closed routes.
Off-trail travel is allowed only at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Camp Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the map provided at the top of the page.
Orange Diamonds with trail numbers mark the open, designated trails.
There are three trailheads - KC Pavilion, Oak Camp, and Camp Ridge. Visitors camping at Cobb Ridge can access the trail from the campground, but there's no day use parking or designated trailhead at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
Many trail segments that don’t drain well have been armored with interlocking concrete blocks.
OHV Camping Info
Riding ATVs and OHVs within the campground is restricted to ingress and egress. Some trails can be accessed directly from the campground. Vehicles ridden on roads must be licensed or have county ATV permits. Vehicles ridden on trails must have current Forest permits.
The Cobb Ridge Campground provides a variety of campsite sizes, styles, development and locations. Most sites are fairly private, but some are close together and open enough to promote visiting between other camps. Some sites are reservable, while additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A year-round on-site host is available at the campground.
The sites are equipped with tables, lantern posts, and campfire rings with grills. Flush and vault toilets, and drinking water are provided. Trash collection facilities are provided. There is a warm water shower building with 4 shower stalls, one of the stalls is handicap accessible.
Campsites within this campground are large enough to accommodate trailers hauling ATVs and motorcycles at the campsite.
No water or sewer hookups available.
Campsites include traditional back-in units and easily maneuvered pull-through units. Some single sites are long and wide enough to accommodate at least two motor vehicles and one towed trailer. Tent camping is also an option.
Please check the map on recreation.gov for which sites are back-in or pull-through.
The sites with electrical hookups have 110v outlets, and 30 and 50 amp breakers.
No. of Sites
Sites: 45
- Single Sites:
- 5 non-electric, tent only
- 12 non-electric, tent or RV
- 25 electric, tent or RV
- Group Sites
- 2 electric, pull-through sites that accommodate up to 3 camping units and 24 people
Size Restrictions
We recommend that RV and trailer length not exceed 45 feet.
No. of Accessible sites
Site #10 is accessible, it does not have electric hook-ups
Recreation Groups
Nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep forested hollows and down long ridge tops.