Welcome to Mark Twain National Forest
Wildly Wonderful Experiences on the Mark Twain
Missouri has a lot of unique animals and plants, and some of those are reptiles and amphibians. This green tree frogs was found in the southern part of the Mark Twain in a swampy area.
The Forest is waiting, come explore!
Encompassing 1.5 million acres of beautiful public land in 29 counties in Missouri, Mark Twain National Forest maintains a healthy, working forest and restores Missouri's natural communities.
Mark Twain National Forest has a wide range of popular recreation opportunities. The forest has over 750 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and motorized use. Sections of the Ozark Trail wind through the forest. More than 350 miles of perennial streams, suitable for floating canoeing and kayaking, meander through its canopied expanses. Our campgrounds offer visitors a variety of forest experiences, including semi-primitive and wilderness camping for solitude.
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OHV Riding
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Hiking
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Camping
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Plan Ahead for Your Trip
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2023 - a record-setting year
Forest Service personnel and partners worked together in 2023 to complete some major projects, overcome obstacles, and reach new goals.
Recent News
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Grand Opening Activities planned for Red Bluff Recreation Area
Release Date: May 28, 2024
Features
Missouri Outdoor Connections
Creating opportunities to connect land stewards across the state.
Spotlights
Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Plan
View the newly updated Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan
Mingo Job Corp
Working closely with employees on the Mark Twain National Forest, Mingo students spend time working on a variety of conservation projects, while getting to spend time in the woods.
Firewise Fire Information
Is your home and property prepared for a wildfire? Visit Firewise.org’s Home and Landscape website to see what you need to do to make sure your home is as prepared as possible.