Overview
Mark Twain National Forest is in Southeast Missouri. The forest is 1.5 million acres through 29 southern and central Missouri counties and is known for its rivers and trails. The Ozark Trail runs through the forest and connected public lands for 225 miles.
3 things to do · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Mark Twain National Forest
Eleven Point Canoe Rental
Hufstedlers Canoe Rental
Richard's Canoe Rental
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Apr. (climate data from nearby St. Louis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TBN Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport-Forney Field, Fort Leonard Wood — 58 mi away. Directions
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St Louis — 86 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Eleven Point Canoe Rental, Hufstedlers Canoe Rental
- Afternoon Richard's Canoe Rental
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
Headquarters
History
In the 1870s, citizens of southern Missouri began an era of extensive logging of the state's native oak, hickory, and pine forests. Lumber mills were commonplace, but by the 1920s they had disappeared, along with much of the state's native forests. Thus, in 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the MTNF into existence. In March 1933, he also created the Emergency Conservation Work Act, better known as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In the area that would later become Mark Twain National Forest, hundreds of young men at over fifty CCC sites worked at building roads and planting hundreds of acres of pine to preserve and enhance the natural resources of southern Missouri. Many of their contributions can still be visited and enjoyed today.
Landscape
Flora and fauna
White tail deer and wild turkey.
Climate
Missouri has unpredictable weather.
Get in
By car
By air
- Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) US Hwy 60 east Van Buren, Missouri or turn at Winona, Missouri on Highway 19 go north to Eminence 2 hours.
- Lambert - Saint Louis International Airport (STL) Interstate 44 southwest to Rolla, take Highway 19 South through Salem. 2 hours.
See
- Cane Bluff
- The Eleven Point River is an 88-mile long river, 44 miles of which are designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. The river is one of the Midwest's most preserved free-flowing streams.
- Glade Top Trail
- Greer Spring
- Irish Wilderness
- McCormack Lake
- The Narrows
- Turner's Mill
Do
Land activities
- Hiking on over 500 miles of trails.
- Mountain biking.
- Hunting.
- Picnicking at dozens of picnic grounds.
Water activities
Swimming, fishing and canoeing are popular activities. The Blue Ribbon Trout Area is a noted fishing spot.
Canoe rental is available from several companies:
Do Eleven Point Canoe Rental
Do Hufstedlers Canoe Rental
Do Richard's Canoe Rental
Winter activities
- Hiking
Sleep
Lodging
Campgrounds
Many campgrounds in the forest.
Stay Buffalo Creek
Stay Hammonds Camp
Backcountry
Deer camps are free camping.
Nearby
Salem
City / town · 5 listings · 25 mi away
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Park · 1 listings · 32 mi away
Cuba
City / town · 10 listings · 34 mi away
Bourbon
City / town · 1 listings · 37 mi away
Eminence
City / town · 37 mi away
St. James
City / town · 1 listings · 38 mi away
Rolla
City / town · 27 listings · 43 mi away
Licking
City / town · 2 listings · 43 mi away
My experience
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