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COURTOIS CREEK SECTION *
Length: 35 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation and private lands
If St. Louis is the gateway to the West, then the Courtois Creek Section of the Ozark Trail is Missouri’s gateway to the Ozarks. Before setting off on the trail, visit one of the cave state’s most famous caves at Onondaga Cave State Park. On the trail, you'll encounter densely forested terrain, a great setting in which to view wildlife. This section of trail approaches the Southeast Missouri Lead District, the world’s largest ore-producing area. Four trailheads are available: Huzzah Conservation Area, Harmon Springs, Hwy. 8 and Hazel Creek Recreation Area. The trail uses the western part of the Berryman Trail, a National Recreation Trail, and designated campsites are available at all trailheads except Hwy. 8. At this time, the trail currently has a five-mile gap at the north end.
*Only foot traffic is permitted in the Huzzah Conservation Area.
TRACE CREEK SECTION
Length: 24 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
MAP AVAILABLE
In addition to crossing Trace Creek, this section traverses many small streams on its route through a widely varying landscape. Near the section midpoint, the trail passes the headwaters of the Big River, the beginning of its 138-mile journey northward to the Meramec River. A portion of this trail exists as the original Trace Creek Trail, built in 1968. Just south of Hwy. DD, a spur trail leads to 440-acre Council Bluff Lake, where designated campsites, a beach and ample fishing opportunities are available. Hazel Creek Recreation Area and Hwy. A are the trailheads for this section.
TAUM SAUK SECTION
Length: 33 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources
MAP AVAILABLE
Because of construction taking place in the valley, the Ozark Trail through Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park remains closed. Construction is pending on a new route that will avoid the damaged areas and construction zones. When complete, this new trail segment will follow the East Fork of the Black River high above the shut-ins with nice views of the river valley and rejoin the original route further downstream. New trailheads and backpack campsites are included in the park redevelopment plan.
Until this new segment opens, the Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail remains closed through the valley of the East Fork of the Black River. This includes access to the shut-ins and the main park valley. From the Taum Sauk Mountain State Park trailhead, hikers may hike to Mina Sauk Falls or continue into Taum Sauk Creek valley as far as the "trail closed" sign, approximately five miles from the trailhead. No access is permitted beyond the closed sign.
The Western Taum Sauk Section of the Ozark Trail from Highway A at Bell Mountain Trailhead to Highway N is now open. There is no parking available where the Ozark Trail meets Highway N.
Immerse yourself in the beauty and solitude of the Missouri Ozarks. Nowhere else in Missouri can you experience the Ozarks in such an intimate way. Features such as the Devil’s Tollgate, Bell Mountain Wilderness, two state parks, and the state’s highest point and waterfall beg to be explored. Known as the St. Francois Mountains region, rocky glades are a prominent reminder of this area’s volcanic past, and contain a unique blend of plants and animals. The trail may be accessed at Hwy. A, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and Hwy. 21. Both state parks offer designated campsites and unique spur trail opportunities. Take this trail slowly to enjoy its numerous vistas and negotiate its rugged terrain.
MARBLE CREEK SECTION
Length: 8 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
MAP AVAILABLE
Marble Creek was named for colorful deposits of dolomite (commonly known as Taum Sauk Marble) formerly mined there. The trailhead at Marble Creek Campground displays the remnants of a gristmill, operated until 1935. From this area, the trail leads to a loop around 100-acre Crane Lake, which features a dam, shut-ins and picnic area. The trail may also be accessed at the Crane Lake picnic area. At this time, this section does not join any other section of the Ozark Trail. When complete, it will be approximately 21 miles long.
WAPPAPELLO LAKE SECTION
Length: 33 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, private lands and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
MAP AVAILABLE
Wappapello Lake was created in 1938 with the construction of a rolled earth fill dam to control flooding of the St. Francois River. The trail’s proximity to water lends itself to an abundance of waterfowl. A hike of any desired length is feasible on this section due to numerous trail access points. The two primary trailheads, Sam A. Baker State Park and Hwy. 172, are also the section ending points. Many portions of the trail are prone to flooding, making trail use during wet periods undesirable. The midpoint of the trail offers a scenic loop, while the southern section links to more than 100 miles of trail open to hiking and equestrian use. A connector trail permits access to Lake Wappapello State Park.
VICTORY SECTION
Length: 24 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
Named after the one-room schoolhouse that formerly stood near the trailhead, this isolated trail section is separated from the Wappapello Lake Section’s southern terminus by the Black River and three miles of rugged terrain. When complete, this trail will total approximately 30 miles. Currently, this section’s northern terminus and trailhead is at Hwy. 172, and the trail continues almost to the Black River, where the gap begins. Four trailheads offer access to the larger section of completed trail: Wrangler, Upalika Pond, Walton Chapel and Brushy Creek. Access to the adjoining Victory Horse Trail is located near the Wrangler Trailhead.
MIDDLE FORK SECTION
Length: 8 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
The Ozark Trail’s newest section is growing quickly and is expected to reach its final length of 25 miles in 2006. The northern trail terminus can be found on the Trace Creek Section approximately 2.5 miles north of its intersection with Hwy. 32. From here the trail extends eight miles to an intersection with Iron County Road 73. The completion of this section will allow trail users to travel more than 200 continuous miles from the Courtois Creek Section through the Eleven Point River Section.
KARKAGHNE SECTION
Length: 25 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
MAP AVAILABLE
Winding through valleys and over ridgetops, this section offers more than just a trail. The Sutton Bluff Recreation Area, also a trailhead, offers designated campsites near the Black River. A spur trail east of Hwy. TT leads to Grasshopper Hollow, the largest fen complex in unglaciated North America. A fen is formed when upwelling groundwater creates saturated soil conditions that support distinct plant and animal communities. The area near Grasshopper Hollow is home to many rare and endangered species, and is great for birdwatching.
BLAIR CREEK SECTION *
Length: 26.5 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation and Pioneer Forest
MAP AVAILABLE
One of the first completed sections of the Ozark Trail, Blair Creek brims with Ozark flavor. Privately owned Pioneer Forest offers more than 150,000 acres of mature old growth oak-hickory-pine forest, which has been conservatively managed for more than 50 years. A spur trail up quiet Laxton Hollow leads to the Himont Trailhead, providing access to the Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry (access provided by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources), a 61,000-acre area devoted to primitive outdoor recreation. Upon reaching Owls Bend, the cool waters of the Current River await exploration as do the caves and historical features of the area. Nearby Cove Spring is just up Powder Mill Creek, one of more than 65 springs that feed the Current River, this one gushing up to 32 million gallons of water a day. This section’s trailheads are at Hwy. P, FS 2220 and Powder Mill.
* Mountain bicycling and equestrian use permitted only on the northern 8.5 miles of this section.
CURRENT RIVER SECTION
Length: 30 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation, Ozark National Scenic Riverways (National Park Service), and private lands
MAP AVAILABLE
This section passes through a myriad of publicly owned lands, best viewed from the trail atop Stegall Mountain, the highest point in the area. The trail wanders through Peck Ranch Conservation Area, a 23,000-acre area named after a wealthy businessman who, ironically, purchased this forestland to provide fuel for his iron smelter. High bluffs, shut-ins and igneous glades provide attractive scenery. Catch a glimpse of the pink and purple porphyry (crystals) by taking a side trip to Rocky Falls, or step back in history at Klepzig Mill, located on Rocky Creek. This section can be accessed at Powder Mill, Shannon County Road 533, Peck Ranch Road and Hwy. 60.
BETWEEN THE RIVERS SECTION
Length: 30 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
MAP AVAILABLE
This section provides the necessary connection between the Current and Eleven Point rivers. In addition to traversing impressive stands of white oak, shortleaf pine, and scarlet oak, the trail offers pleasant views of the surrounding countryside. Take a look into the past when nearing Bristol Cemetery, or explore the lichen-covered boulder field at Devil’s Run. Access to the trail is at Hwy. 60, Sinking Creek Lookout Tower and FS 3152.
ELEVEN POINT RIVER SECTION
Length: 30 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
MAP AVAILABLE
This section offers much in the way of intriguing trail diversions, most notably the Eleven Point River. View the river from atop high bluffs at Leffer Look. Discover the karst features of Devil’s Backbone, the history of Bockman Spring House and the cool waters of Hurricane Creek. Trail may be accessed at FS 3152, Greer Recreation Area, McCormack Lake (via a spur trail) and FS 4155. Developed campsites are available at the Greer area and McCormack Lake.
NORTH FORK RIVER SECTION *
Length: 28.5 miles
Lands Crossed: Mark Twain National Forest
The newest completed section of the Ozark Trail, this segment of the trail travels through the area east of the North Fork of the White River. It shares a portion of the existing Ridgerunner Trail and traverses the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness, a 6,595-acre expanse through which the trail winds over ridges and down through hollows. The trail is especially beautiful in the spring, when flowering trees and wildflowers provide welcome splashes of color. This section’s trailheads include Pomona (FS835), Hwy. AP, Hwy. CC and near Hwy. KK (on County Road CO).
*Bicycles are not permitted in the Devil’s Backbone Wilderness.
FOR DETAILED MAPS OF COMPLETE TRAIL SECTIONS AND SPECIFIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE OZARK TRAIL, YOU MAY CONTACT:
| Missouri Department of Natural Resources Ozark Trail Coordinator P.O. Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 573-751-5359 or 800-334-6946 www.mostateparks.com Request by e-mail |
Missouri Department of Conservation P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 573-751-4115 www.mdc.mo.gov |
| U. S. Forest Service Mark Twain National Forest 401 Fairgrounds Rd. Rolla, MO 65401 573-364-4621 www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/ |
National Park Service Ozark National Scenic Riverways P.O. Box 490 Van Buren, MO 63965 573-323-4236 www.nps.gov/ozar/ |
| U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 10992 Hwy. T Wappapello, MO 63966-9603 573-222-8562 www.usace.army.mil/ |
Ozark Trail Association www.ozarktrail.com |
