Kaintuck Hollow Natural Bridge Trailhead
This is one of the access points to the Kaintuck Hollow Trail System, south of the Mill Creek Recreation Area. This trailhead is the closest to the natural bridge.
Kaintuck has sixteen miles of trails that will lead you through an oak forest, interspersed with hickory, cedar, dogwood, and pine trees. There are several trail loops offering a variety of routes to choose from. Walk through a natural tunnel 175 foot long or enjoy wading in cool Missouri streams. You can visit Willkins Spring Pond with its average daily flow of 3 million gallons. Perhaps you’ll even see the otters that live there! The trails are very popular with horse riders and mountain bikers. No motorized vehicles are allowed.
General Information
Dispersed Camping
There are no designated campsites along the trail, however dispersed camping is allowed.
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.
When visiting, please remember
- No motorized use.
- No entry into the natural bridge tunnel.
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: 108 S. Sam Houston Blvd. Houston, MO 65483
Phone: 417-967-4194
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: 37.850184
Longitude: -91.91501657
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Day Hikes Info
The Kaintuck Hollow Trail is open year round to mountain bikers and includes multiple sections with a total of 16 miles of trail.
Acorn Section is approximately 4 miles in length and follows an old logging road. Butterfly Section traverses through cedar forest and then passes over a dry stream bed covered with large, mossy rocks.
The Mushroom Section is a short connection trail between Acorn and Pine Tree sections. Mushroom Section passes a small pond and old homestead.
Cedar Section is offers approximately 3 miles of trail and parallels a gravel road connecting Mill Creek Recreation area with Hwy T. Squirrel Section connects to Oak Leaf Section, not far from the Natural Bridge and tunnel, which is currently not open to public due to health risk to bat population.
Deer Track Section passes a small lily pond and then loops southwest to Wilkins Spring. Redbird Section begins by following a ridge top and then descends into Kaintuck Hollow.
The trail is of moderate difficulty.
Backpacking Info
The Kaintuck Hollow Trail is open year round to mountain bikers and includes multiple sections with a total of 16 miles of trail.
Acorn Section is approximately 4 miles in length and follows an old logging road. Butterfly Section traverses through cedar forest and then passes over a dry stream bed covered with large, mossy rocks.
The Mushroom Section is a short connection trail between Acorn and Pine Tree sections. Mushroom Section passes a small pond and old homestead.
Cedar Section is offers approximately 3 miles of trail and parallels a gravel road connecting Mill Creek Recreation area with Hwy T. Squirrel Section connects to Oak Leaf Section, not far from the Natural Bridge and tunnel, which is currently not open to public due to health risk to bat population.
Deer Track Section passes a small lily pond and then loops southwest to Wilkins Spring. Redbird Section begins by following a ridge top and then descends into Kaintuck Hollow.
The trail is of moderate difficulty.
Biking - Mountain Info
The Kaintuck Hollow Trail is open year round to mountain bikers and includes multiple sections with a total of 16 miles of trail.
Acorn Section is approximately 4 miles in length and follows an old logging road. Butterfly Section traverses through cedar forest and then passes over a dry stream bed covered with large, mossy rocks.
The Mushroom Section is a short connection trail between Acorn and Pine Tree sections. Mushroom Section passes a small pond and old homestead.
Cedar Section is offers approximately 3 miles of trail and parallels a gravel road connecting Mill Creek Recreation area with Hwy T. Squirrel Section connects to Oak Leaf Section, not far from the Natural Bridge and tunnel, which is currently not open to public due to health risk to bat population.
Deer Track Section passes a small lily pond and then loops southwest to Wilkins Spring. Redbird Section begins by following a ridge top and then descends into Kaintuck Hollow.
The trail is of moderate difficulty.
Horseback Riding Info
The Kaintuck Hollow Trail is open year round to mountain bikers and includes multiple sections with a total of 16 miles of trail.
Acorn Section is approximately 4 miles in length and follows an old logging road. Butterfly Section traverses through cedar forest and then passes over a dry stream bed covered with large, mossy rocks.
The Mushroom Section is a short connection trail between Acorn and Pine Tree sections. Mushroom Section passes a small pond and old homestead.
Cedar Section is offers approximately 3 miles of trail and parallels a gravel road connecting Mill Creek Recreation area with Hwy T. Squirrel Section connects to Oak Leaf Section, not far from the Natural Bridge and tunnel, which is currently not open to public due to health risk to bat population.
Deer Track Section passes a small lily pond and then loops southwest to Wilkins Spring. Redbird Section begins by following a ridge top and then descends into Kaintuck Hollow.
The trail is of moderate difficulty.