Mark Twain National Forest
Overview
Mark Twain National Forest encompasses 1.5 million acres of public land across 29 counties in southern and central Missouri's Ozarks. The forest is open and offers over 750 miles of trails for hiking, horseback, mountain biking, and motorized use, plus 350+ miles of floatable streams. Current notable closures and conditions: ALL CAVES are closed forest-wide due to White Nose Syndrome (Forest Order 09-05-21-08). The Blue Ridge Horse Trail and portions of the Ozark Trail - Current River Section on the Eleven Point District are closed due to storm damage recovery. The 1039 Fire area near Cassville remains closed after a November 2025 wildfire burned 1,200+ acres. Feral swine hunting is prohibited (management program in effect). Water levels at McCormack Lake, Beaver Lake, and Markham Springs are lower than normal. Wild Boar Ridge Campground water system is out of service (use nearby Chapen Hill). Forest-wide camping is limited to 14 days per 30-day period. The forest contains wilderness areas, the Eleven Point National Scenic River, numerous springs, glades, and karst features. Fire danger is currently moderate.
Top Campgrounds
- Aunts Creek
- Baxter
- Big M
- Campbell Point
- Cedar Spring Campground
- Council Bluff Campground
- Deer Leap Campground
- Dillard Mill State Historic Site Shelters
- Dry Fork Horse Camp
- Eagle Rock
- Float Camp
- Float Camp Picnic Area
- Fuchs House
- Gooseneck Campground
- Greenville Recreation Area
- Grubb Hollow Campground
- Marble Creek Recreation Area
- Markham Campground
- Markham Springs
- Mill Creek
- North Fork Campground
- Pine Ridge Campground
- Pinewoods Lake Rec Area
- Shell Knob Rec Site Pavilion
- Silver Mines
- Sutton Bluff Recreation Area
- Viola
- Watercress
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