John J. Audubon East Trailhead

The John J. Audubon Trail is a 12-mile, circular, wilderness trail established as a memorial pilgrimage through the area which the great naturalist/artist visited on his wide-ranging bird collecting trips while living in Ste. Genevieve.

Maps

A GeoPDF map is available through the Avenza app

General Information

Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground.

Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.

There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!

Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles
Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources.
Treat any water found in the area before consuming it.
Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
Pack out all of your garbage.

January - December

6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

On the Trail

No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail or past designated parking areas.

At the Trailhead

No overnight camping in day use areas at any time of year.
Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash in the day use area
No trash containers in the parking lot; please pack out all your trash.
Fireworks are prohibited.

Trail Use

Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, as long as they are kept on a leash. Unleashed dogs can pose a danger to your pet, the natural resources of the area, and other forest visitors.

Leashes must be six feet, or shorter, when in developed recreation sites, including trails within the boundaries (36 CFR 261.16(j)) when they are not inside an enclosed vehicle or tent.
Yield your leashed dog around other hikers and horses.
Pack out your dogs waste or bury it 100 feet from water and trails.

Wildlife

Do not allow them to interact with wildlife

Address: 10019 W. State Hwy. 8 Potosi, MO 63664
Phone: 573-438-5427
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday; District Offices closed 1 - 1:30 for lunch (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.marktwainnf@usda.gov

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 37.719197

Longitude: -90.185304

Directions

From St. Louis, take I-55 south to Hwy. 32 (2nd Ste. Gen. exit); go west, then south on Hwy B; follow Hwy B to WW and go east 5.7 miles to Bidwell Creek Road; follow this for 0.5 miles then turn right at the Coldwater Club, following this road 0.4 miles; turn left on FR 2199 and go 6.5 miles to Bidwell Creek ford.