4:20 AM
— 7:00 PM
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 102 degrees are expected.
* WHERE...all of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western
Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.
* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ this evening.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.
Paddy Creek Recreation Area, National Forest System Road 211, Big Piney Trailhead Spur Trail (03-016-D), Paddy Creek Trail Loop (Trail 03-016-C), and a section of the Big Piney Trail (03-016-A) will be closed from December 1, 2026 until December 31, 2027 while a bank on the creek is restabilized…
The closure of Forest Trail 119 in the Chadwick Motorized Trail System will serve to ensure the protection of people who visit the Mark Twain National Forest by preventing access to the trail during the removal of a culvert. The Closure Order and Map can be accessed in the green links below.
This is a temporary closure for FS Road 566 up to Coy Bald Trailhead to avoid risk of entrapment from flooding waters during the peak rain season. Access to the Coy Bald Trailhead requires crossing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land—and traversing the Cane Creek low‑water crossing, a…
Please check weather conditions prior to visiting. Forecasts can be found:National Weather Service - Springfield, MO Severe Weather Potential National Weather Service - Springfield, MO (Facebook) Safety Tips are available: Brave the Elements Ready.gov - Floods Severe Weather Tornadoes
Visitors to McCormack Lake, Beaver Lake, and Markham Springs mill pond may notice lower water levels than normal. Be aware that lowering of water levels can leave slick mud or other trip hazards that aren’t normally encountered. Please be extra careful walking around the edge of the lakes during…
Missouri Department of Transportation and Christian County have closed Red Bridge, on Red Bridge Road, in Christian County. Barriers are in place to block access to the bridge.Red Bridge Road is a county road that goes through the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District, east of Highway 65 and…
Mark Twain National Forest has put in place Forest Order 09-05-25-02 for the Eleven Point Ranger District, Ozark Trail - Current River Section Closure. This closure is to promote public safety for this section of trail while work continues to clear out the areas with so many trees knocked down by…
For public safety, during recovery efforts from previous storm damage, Mark Twain National Forest has put in place Forest Order 09-05-25-01, Eleven Point Ranger District, Blue Ridge Horse Trail Closure.
Water system at Wild Boar Ridge Campground is out-of-service. Water and showers are available at the nearby Chapen Hill beach.
Trail 120B, Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area, is closed to all motorized vehicles.
Hunting feral swine is prohibited on the Mark Twain National Forest. For more information visit the Feral Swine page.
In 2012, The Mark Twain National Forest completed soil sampling in many areas of Southeast Missouri lead mining area. A few recreation sites were found to have elevated concentrations of lead, but there was not a clear trend indicating where we would find lead.In Fall 2014, we partnered with the…
Occupancy and prohibitions for camping in developed areas, forest quiet hours, parking, trash removal, glass beverage and food containers, alcohol use (must be over 21), cannabis, spark arrestors, and a few other items.
Operation and use of motorized vehicles and watercraft on National Forest System lands, rivers/lakes, roads, and trails.
Entering or being in the Palmer Lead Smelter Closure Area. The boundary of the Palmer Lead Smelter Closure Area is defined by the marked and signed area surrounding the Palmer smelter site located north of Forest Service road 2392 at Hazel Creek Campground
The area located north of the east gate road, T35N, R10 W, Section 8 and 17, south of the Piney River was used for military purposes in the past. For your safety, do not disturb unknown objects. Please use caution in this area and practice the 3Rs if you encounter any suspicious objects:Recognize-…
Labeling, removing and timeframes for use of tree stands.
The Gulf is closed for the protection of the blind cavefish.
THE FOLLOWING ACTS ARE PROHIBITED IN THE AREA WITHIN 150 YARDS OF THE GREER SPRING PARKING AREA, TRAIL OR SPRING BRANCH
All non-administrative, non-recreation buildings and structures are closed for protection of public health and safety.
The following restrictions are prohibited to protect those parts of the National Forest System which were designated units of the National Wilderness Preservation System by the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964, and such other areas of the National Forest System as are added to the Wilderness…
Operation and use of motorized watercraft within the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River zone to preserve the river.
Prohibiting entering any cave or mine on National Forest System lands within the Mark Twain National Forest.
Greenville Recreation Area
**Notice to Campers - Greenville Campground October 2026:** During the last 3 Saturdays of October, the Greenville Campground will host the Jack O’ Lantern Jubilee Special Event. The event will take place Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. During this time, the gates to the campground will be closed and no vehicle traffic will be allowed through due to pedestrian traffic. Participants will enjoy trick-or-treating through the campground. Campers are encouraged to participate in site decoration, but participation is completely voluntary. This is a family friendly event. Passing out alcoholic beverages or other adult drinks will not be allowed. This will be a highly trafficked time for the campground, so if you believe that this will affect your stay at the Greenville Campground, please make appropriate schedule changes or accommodations. Thank you for visiting the Wappapello Lake project.