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 | ||
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)
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)
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)
Although Missouri doesn't have nearly as many waterfalls as Arkansas, the ones that the state does have are... (continue)
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)
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 use, especially with ATVs and dirtbikes, has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the Mark Twain National Forest has... (continue)
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)