If you’re planning an Ozarks family vacation to Mark Twain National Forest, use this guide to decide which part to visit. We'll help you make your plan of things to do, and point you to the best trails in the forest.
The Ozarks are rich in nature. So much, in fact, that there are no less than three national forests within the region (Ouachita, Ozark–St Francis, and Mark Twain). When it comes to hiking, fishing, boating, spelunking, or just plain exploring in southern Missouri, you'll find it all in Missouri’s only national forest—Mark Twain National Forest.
Heads up: This page contains Amazon affiliate links. That means if you click and buy—we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about it here.
Jump Ahead: Find It | Things to Do | Know Before You Go | Stays
Where is Mark Twain National Forest?
You’ll find the heart of Mark Twain National forest about two hours southwest of St. Louis, Missouri. The park covers a massive geographical area of over one million acres, leaving plenty of room to explore in spanning thirty counties across Southern Missouri.
It's a big forest. When you plan your visit, pick a general area to focus on. There are several towns sprinkled throughout the Mark Twain National Forest, including:
Central Missouri: Fulton, Rolla, and Salem
East Missouri: Potosi
Southwest Missouri: Cassville and Ava
Southeast Missouri: Doniphan
South Central Missouri: Houston and Willow Springs
Don't get lost! The forest is a big place and you can count on it that your cell phone will lose signal. Find your way with a handheld GPS navigator.
District Office Locations
The Mark Twain National Forest is split into several smaller regions, each with its own district office. The six district offices are open weekdays 8 am – 4:30 pm. You can stop by these offices to buy maps to help you find your way through the forest. There is also a supervisor’s office in Rolla.
Supervisor’s Office in Rolla: 401 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla, MO
District office locations:
Ava: 1006 S. Jefferson, Ava, MO
Doniphan: # 66 Confederate Ridge Road, Doniphan, MO
Houston: 108 S. Sam Houston Blvd, Houston, MO
Poplar Bluff: 1420 Maud Street, Poplar Bluff, MO
Potosi: 10019 W. State Hwy. 8, Potosi, MO
Salem: 1301 South Main, Salem, MO
The next step in planning your Ozarks family vacation to the Mark Twain National Forest is to decide what activities to explore.
Plan Your Adventure: Things to Do In Mark Twain National Forest
Inside the Mark Twain National Forest are seven wilderness regions, where the land is protected from development—you’re likely to find remote solitude with your family in nature.
Stay comfy all day long while you explore with body glide anti chafe balm
Whether you’re planning on camping inside the forest or staying in a nearby town, there’s plenty to keep you busy during the day (or for multiple days) inside the forest.
Here’s a quick list of some of the things you can do during your trip to Mark Twain National Forest.
Hiking
Backpacking
Camping
Hunting
Horseback Riding
Kayaking or Canoeing
👉 Check here for specific rental information by activity and area.
Are you looking for an adventure, here are a few suggestions. However, keep in mind that this forest is massive. You could spend a few weeks here and barely scratch the surface of what it has to offer.
Backpack the Bell Mountain Loop
Bell Mountain offers an 11.6 mile loop with several accessible, hike-in camping spots and spectacular views that provide a great way to experience the sunrise or sunset in the Ozarks.
The Bell Mountain trail is rocky and primitive, providing challenging terrain for experienced hikers.
The Bell Mountain Wilderness Trail has three trailheads, each accessible from Highway A.
Lindsey Mountain Trailhead (Best Access for a Day Hike)
Enjoy the Scenery on the Greer Springs Trail
Find a family-friendly day hike on a well-maintained path leading to Missouri's second largest spring. Greer Springs is a day-use trail located near Alton, Missouri. It's open to foot traffic and leashed pets year round.
Get your toes wet while keeping your feet protected with our fav KEEN hiking sandals.
Float the Eleven Point River
Choose your water adventure with--you guessed it, 11 access points. Eleven Point River offers an exciting combination of gentle, spring-fed streams and bubbling rapids for a balanced float trip. Whether you're looking for a day float or a multi-day float with overnight stays at a float camp, you'll find it here!
Eleven Point River originates near Willow, Missouri and runs close to Greer Springs as well as down into the northern part of Arkansas. With eleven access points, it's fairly dispersed.
Explore the Forest on Wheels (ATV, UTV, OHV)
If you're looking to go off-road, there are two designated ATV/UTV/Motorcycle riding areas in the Mark Twain National Forest:
Chadwick in Christian County
Sutton Bluff in Reynolds County
The Chadwick designated riding area is near the Ava/Cassville, Missouri area and includes three trail heads along with a larger recreation area. Sutton Bluff is near Salem, Missouri and also includes three trailheads and a recreation area.
👉 Book Your Guided Ozarks Off-Road Tour with Hog Wild Adventures in Branson.
Pack a picnic and bring it in your backpack with this backpack cooler.
Fish the Big Piney River Near Rolla, Missouri
Big Piney is a family-friendly river with beautiful scenery. If you're looking for river and stream fishing or long-ride floats, this river offers 21 miles of National Forest accessible water that is floatable most of the year as long as there are no severe drought conditions.
Know Before You Go
A few key points to remember as you plan your Ozarks family vacation to the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri are listed below.
Leave No Trace: As with many natural areas, the Mark Twain National Forest adopts a Leave No Trace policy. This means that you should leave the forest as you found it without disrupting it. Anything you carry in, such as food scraps or garbage, you should carry out with you. Avoid disturbing the soil, plants, or other natural features.
Fees and Permits: Permits are required for camping. There are also some minimal fees for those using motorized vehicles or mountain bikes on the trails. Daily mountain bike fees are $3.00 per person and ATV/UTV/Motorcycle fees are $7.00 per person. If staying longer than a week, you can get an annual pass to save on fees.
Maps: Check out this interactive map to help you navigate your adventure. If you want a physical map, you can purchase maps from one of the district office locations.
Check for Alerts: Before departing, check the Mark Twain National Forest website for alerts, notices, and closures. This resource is important to review because it includes information about restrictions. For example, visitors may not enter caves or mines inside the forest. Violators could face steep fines of up to $5,000 per person.
Be Alert & Prepare Ahead: Mark Twain National Forest may have dangerous wildlife, including mountain lions, venomous snakes, and bears. Learn about how to protect yourself in the event of an encounter during your adventure. Typically for mountain lions and snakes, it means backing away slowly while maintaining eye contact and making yourself appear bigger and intimidating. Avoid turning your back to predators when possible.
Tips to Book Your Trip
Here are a few helpful links to plan your trip to Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri.
Get the Right Outdoor Gear:
Book a Stay:
Find a Campground: Campground Directory Map
Book a Vacation Rental: Search Vacation Rentals in Mark Twain Forest
Discover the Perfect Glamping Spot: Glamping in the Ozarks
Rent a Car: Roadtrips are the best way to experience the Mark Twain National Forest, get the best rates on Economy Bookings.
