Mark Twain National Forest Guide
- Home
- National Forests
- Missouri
- Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF), spanning 1.5 million acresacross 29 counties in southern Missouri, offers something for every outdoor enthusiast. From hiking trails and fishing spots to scenic drives through the Ozarks, this national forest is a haven for recreation and natural beauty. Mark Twain National Forest features woodlands, glades, and over 350 miles of streams. Visitors can explore its seven wilderness areas, semi-primitive zones, and special ecological areas, with campgrounds like Berryman Campground and Silver Mines Recreation Area providing access to some of the forest's most scenic spots.
Camping in Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest has various camping options, from paid campgrounds with amenities to dispersed camping in remote areas.
Campgrounds in Mark Twain National Forest
Paid Campgrounds
Berryman Campground
$15 per night
Greer Crossing Recreation Area
$10-$15 per night
Silver Mines Recreation Area
$15 - $50 per night
Red Bluff Campground
$15 - $50 per night
Sutton Bluff Recreation Area
$20 - $25 per night
Deer Leap Recreation Area
Day Use Fee: $3; Campground: $12 single, $20 double, payable onsite.
Private Campgrounds Near Mark Twain National Forest
Before planning your trip, check the top campgrounds in Missouri. Options in cities like Rolla and Poplar Bluff offer full hookups and additional amenities.
Budget Campgrounds
Blue Spring Trailhead
$2.00 per vehicle;
$10.00 per bus.
Noblett Lake Trailhead
Free
Bell Mountain Wilderness
Free
Piney Creek Wilderness
Free
Campgrounds by Lakes/Rivers for Fishing and Water Activities
Alley Spring Campground
$10.00 (winter non-electric and cluster sites) and the highest fee $140.00 (summer group site)
North Fork Recreation Area
Non-electric camping - $10. Day-use fees are $2 per vehicle, $10 per bus, or $20 annually
Huzzah Ponds
Free
Roby Lake
Free
McCormack Lake Recreation Area
Free
-
Three Springs RV Park and Campground
Three Springs RV Park and Campground is located near the headquarters of the Mark Twain National Forest in Rolla, MO. The campground offers 24 pull-through gravel sites. These campsites are narrow, which means you may not be able to deploy any slide-outs from your RV. There is a playground and a rec hall with pool tables, foosball, and an arcade.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, laundry facilities
Fee: $32 to $35 per night
-
Hidden Valley Family Outfitters
Hidden Valley Family Outfitters offers 74 RV campsites, 40 of which have pull-through capability. All of the sites are 40 feet wide and 52 feet long, allowing plenty of room for visitors to deploy their slide-outs and otherwise spread out across the area. A camp store provides RV supplies, groceries, LP gas, firewood, ice, fishing supplies, and a snack bar. Situated beside the Niangua River, the campground supports a boat ramp and a river dock. The camp store rents out kayaks and canoes. Guests can enjoy fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, and wildlife observation.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, warm showers, restrooms with flush toilets
Fee: $34 to $39 per night
-
Ozark Highlands MHC/RV Park
Ozark Highlands MHC/RV Park offers 24 RV campsites, of which nine are pull-throughs. All the campsites are 20 feet in width. The pull-through sites are 60 feet in length, and the back-in sites are 43 feet long. The campground provides planned activities for its guests. There is a heated pool, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a rec hall.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, warm showers, dump station, self-service RV wash station
Fee: $40 per night
RV Rentals Near Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest Hiking Trails
Mark Twain National Forest features trails for all skill levels, from easy walks to challenging hikes.
Easy Hikes for Beginners
Old Hahns Mill Trail
Length: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Stuart Lake Nature Trail
Length: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Longleaf Vista Interpretive Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Challenging Trails for Hikers
Big Piney Trail
Length: 16.1 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Bell Mountain Loop via Ozark Trail - Trace Creek Section
Length: 16.5 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
The Ozark Trail: Marble Creek Section
Length: 17.6 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
The Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section
Length: 34.7 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Lakeside Trails
Council Bluff Lake Loop
Length: 11.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Silver Mine and Turkey Creek Trails
Length: 5.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Lower Rock Creek Trail
Length: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
-
Council Bluff Lake Trail
Council Bluff Lake Trail is a moderately used pathway located near Belleview, MO. The trail is a loop that stays close to the shore of Bluff Lake. Traveling through forests that walk right up to the lake's edge, this pathway takes hikers through natural wildlife habitat areas.
Length: 11.4 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
-
Berryman Trail
Berryman Trail climbs 2,529 feet in elevation along a roaring creek with several tent campgrounds along the way. Fishing in the stream for native trout is one of the favorite activities that draws people to this path. Visitors are encouraged to take two to four days to travel the entire loop.
Length: 27.1 miles
Intensity: Moderate
-
Lower Rock Creek Trail
The Lower Rock Creek Trail is an in-and-out pathway that changes 495 feet in elevation during the hike. The track is moderately trafficked and located near the town of Frederick, MO. There are many viewpoints with remarkable sights of the creek tumbling down into the canyon below.
Length: 5.5 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
-
Greer River Trail
Located near Alton, MO, Greer River Trail is a short in-and-out trail that begins at a trailhead and reaches a waterfall. Though the trip is short, the path climbs 208 feet in elevation in only 0.7 miles making it difficult for some.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
-
Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section
Expect to travel through rugged terrain on this section of the Ozark Trail. While hikers get a rest when walking through the temporary meadows, the rest of the path is strewn with mudslides, rocky slopes, and incredibly steep climbs up and down hillsides. To make up for the harsh terrain, the views are incredible with many being a sight that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Length: 12.3 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Activities in Mark Twain National Forest
Mark Twain National Forest offers diverse activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking: Discover trails for all abilities, from the easy Old Hahns Mill Trail (0.8 miles) to the challenging Bell Mountain Loop (11.8 miles). Scenic options include the Ozark Trail: Taum Sauk Section.
Mountain Biking: Explore diverse biking trails, including Swan Creek, Chadwick Motorized Trails, and Council Bluff Lake Trailhead. For a challenging ride, don’t miss sections of the Ozark Trail, such as the Taum Sauk and Trace Creek sections.
Fishing: Cast your line at Council Bluff Lake, Eleven Point River, or North Fork River. Anglers can enjoy bass, trout, and more, with special areas stocked for prime fishing.
Boating:Enjoy motorized, non-motorized boating, serene paddling or fishing excursions at stunning spots like Noblett Lake Recreation Area and Council Bluff Recreation Area.
Swimming:Cool off in designated swimming areas such as the Current River at the Watercress Recreation Area or the scenic Council Bluff Recreation Area.
Tubing: Float along the Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River or the Big Piney River, with multiple access points like Greer Crossing Recreation Area and Turner Mill North River Access, ensuring a fun-filled adventure.
Cultural Learning:Explore the Ozarks' rich history through historic sites like Civilian Conservation Corps constructions, spring-powered mills, and silver mines.
-
Fishing
In some forest sections, anglers find wide-open lakes or reservoirs to fish for stocked trout, crappies, or bass. In other areas, anglers combat close quarters where trees hover over creeks tumbling from one hole to the next filled with native trout, waiting for a lingering fly or floating worm.
How to get to Mark Twain National Forest
Address: 401 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla, MO 65401
Fee: Entry fee $0
Mark Twain National Forest is an ideal place to spend a vacation in an RV. To take advantage of the opportunities that the forest provides, visit RVshare to find an RV rental that will take you and your family on a trip full of wonders.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark Twain National Forest
Does Mark Twain National Forest offer free camping sites?
Yes, Mark Twain National Forest offers free camping sites. Dispersed camping is allowed in many areas of the forest, as long as campers leave no trace when they pack up camp. The Berryman Campground in the forest offers free, primitive camping with access to vault toilets and picnic tables.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Mark Twain National Forest?
Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in Mark Twain National Forest. Campers may stay 14 consecutive days and then must move at least one mile before setting up camp again.
If you are camping in a developed recreation area, you may camp for up to 14 days, and then must leave the campsite for at least seven days before returning.
Is Mark Twain National Forest open all year round?
Yes, Mark Twain National Forest is open year-round. Some areas may only have services during the summer season, however, and in some spots there is no water available in the winter months.
How many hiking trails does Mark Twain National Forest have?
There are 32 miles of maintained trails in the Mark Twain National Forest. Hikers will find trails for a variety of abilities, from easy walks to lengthy hikes in the forest.
What type of wildlife lives in Mark Twain National Forest?
Wildlife living in the Mark Twain National Forest includes roadrunners, bald eagles, wild turkeys, deer, and black bears. There is a variety of songbirds and other small animals living in the forest as well.
