Mark Twain National Forest

The Basics

Mark Twain National Forest
Main Office
401 Fairgrounds Road
Rolla, MO 65401

Phone: (573) 364-4621

About the Mark Twain National Forest

The Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) covers 1.5 million acres of land in southern and central Missouri. Over 1.4 million of those acres are found in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. The MTNF is spread across nine large tracts (eight of those being in the Ozarks), and are managed by eleven ranger districts (with ten of those in the Ozarks).

Some unique features and areas of the MTNF include Greer Spring, the Eleven Point National Scenic Riverway, the Glade Top National Scenic Byway, and seven different Wilderness Areas.


*Currently, there are so many more features and areas within the MTNF than I have had time to photograph, gather information for, and list here. As soon as new information become available, and I am able to gather pictures, I will post these new areas and features here.*

Ranger Districts & Features

Click on ¨Go¨ next to each ranger district for more info

Ranger District Campgrounds Trails Swimming Holes Waterfalls Springs Caves Offroad/ATV Areas Wilderness Areas
Ava
Ranger District Go
X X X X X X
Cassville
Ranger District Go
X X X X
Eleven Point
Ranger District Go
X X X X X X X
Fredericktown
Ranger District Go
X X X X X
Houston/Rolla
Ranger District Go
X X X X X X
Poplar Bluff
Ranger District Go
X X X
Salem/Potosi
Ranger District Go
X X X X X X
Willow Springs
Ranger District Go
X X X X X X

Campgrounds

The Mark Twain National Forest offers numerous campsites scattered across southern Missouri, with each one offering unique scenery and recreational opportunities. Camp out underneath... (continue)

Trails

Hundreds of miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and offroad enthusiasts await you in the back country of the Mark Twain National Forest. Each ranger district has... (continue)

Swimming Holes

If you are looking for a few good swimming holes, the Mark Twain NF has some nice spots to offer. While a few are located along cool, spring fed rivers, most are on... (continue)

Waterfalls

Although Missouri doesn't have nearly as many waterfalls as Arkansas, the ones that the state does have are... (continue)

Springs

The Ozarks is known for having numerous springs, and many are located within the Mark Twain National Forest. Several of the larger springs are also... (continue)

Caves

With over 6,000 known caves in the state of Missouri, you can bet that a large number of caves are found within the Mark Twain NF. Ranging in size from... (continue)

Offroad/ATV Areas

Offroad use, especially with ATVs and dirtbikes, has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the Mark Twain National Forest has... (continue)

Wilderness Areas

There are seven designated wilderness areas found within the Mark Twain National Forest, and each one has its own unique characteristics. Open glades, dense forest, clear creeks and streams, bluffs and... (continue)