Ozark Trail
The Ozark Trail is 230-miles between Onondaga Cave State Park and the western edge of the Mark Twain National Forest. The trail is multi-use for hiking/backpacking, biking and equestrians in 13 sections, all of which are on the Mark Twain National Forest.
Sections Connected for through Hiking
Courtois
- Section Length: 48 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Going South: Trace Creek Section
Trace Creek
- Section Length: 26 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Going North: Courtois Section
- Going South: A few miles after Council Bluff you'll come to a fork in the trail.
- If you head southeast you'll continue on the Trace Creek Section for several miles before entering the Taum Sauk Section.
- If you head southwest you will enter the Middle Fork Section.
Middle Fork
- Section Length: 24 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Going North: Trace Creek Section
- Going South: Karkaghne Section
Karkaghne
- Section Length: 29 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Going North: Middle River Section
- Going South: Blair Creek Section
Blair Creek
- Section Length: 27 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Going North: Karkaghne Section
- Going South: Current River Section
Current River
- Section Length: 30 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Going North: Blair Creek Section
- Going South: Between the Rivers Section
Between the Rivers
- Section Length: 29 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Going North: Current River Section
- Going South: Eleven Point Section
Eleven Point
- Section Length: 29 miles
- Difficulty: Varied
- Going North: Between the Rivers
- Nearest Section Going West: North Fork Section
Sections Not Connected to Other Sections for through Hiking
Marble Creek
- Section Length: 9 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Nearest Section Going North: Taum Sauk Section (not connected)
- Nearest Section Going South: Wappapello Section (not connected)
North Fork
- Section Length: 27 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Nearest Section Going North/East: Eleven Point Section (not connected)
Taum Sauk
- Section Length: 35 miles
- Difficulty: Varies
- Going North: Trace Creek Section
- Nearest Section Going South: Marble Creek Section (not connected)
Victory
- Section Length: 19 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Nearest Section Going East: Wappapello Section (not connected)
- Nearest Section Going West: Between the Rivers Section (not connected)
Wappapello
- Section Length: 35 miles
- Difficulty: Varies
- Nearest Section Going North: Marble Creek Section (not connected)
- Nearest Section Going South: Victory Section (not connected)
General Information
For additional information on the Ozark Trail, including trail conditions and detailed maps, visit the Ozark Trail Association.
Dispersed Camping is allowed along the trail:
Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.
There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!
- Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles
- Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources.
- Treat any water found in the area before consuming it.
- Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
- Pack out all of your garbage.
Water
Most trailheads do not have potable water. Plan accordingly.
Resupply and Services
The trail does not go through any towns.
Passes & Permits
- None of the trailheads charge a fee.
- If you visit one of the developed sites along the trail please check the bulletin board at the site for fee information.
Recreation Sites
Ozark Trail - Between the Rivers Section
Ozark Trail - Blair Creek Section
Ozark Trail - Courtois Creek Section
Ozark Trail - Current River Section
Ozark Trail - Eleven Point River Section
Ozark Trail - Karkaghne Section
Ozark Trail - Marble Creek/Crane Lake Section
Ozark Trail - Middle Fork Section
Ozark Trail - North Fork Section
Ozark Trail - Taum Sauk Section