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Welcome to Mark Twain National Forest
Missouri Outdoor Connections
Creating opportunities to connect land stewards across the state.
The Forest is waiting, come explore!
Encompassing 1.5 million acres of beautiful public land in 29 counties in Missouri, Mark Twain National Forest maintains a healthy, working forest and restores Missouri's natural communities.
Mark Twain National Forest has a wide range of popular recreation opportunities. The forest has over 750 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and motorized use. Sections of the Ozark Trail wind through the forest. More than 350 miles of perennial streams, suitable for floating canoeing and kayaking, meander through its canopied expanses. Our campgrounds offer visitors a variety of forest experiences, including semi-primitive and wilderness camping for solitude.
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OHV Riding
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Hiking
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Camping
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Plan Ahead for Your Trip
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Your Input Matters!
The National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) survey is happening on Mark Twain National Forest until September 2023. If you see us conducting surveys during your visits, stop and take the survey! It's a great opportunity to let us know how your recreational expectations are being fulfilled on Forest Service lands.
During the NVUM the public may encounter employees working in developed and dispersed recreation sites and along Forest Service roads. They will be out in all types of weather conditions, wearing bright orange vests, and will have signs that say, “Traffic Survey Ahead.”
All survey responses are confidential.
Recent News
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Youth Fishing Day at Ripley Lake
Release Date: Jun 1, 2023 Doniphan, Mo
Features
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project
Leading the way in restoring natural communities through collaboration
From 2012-2022, the forest will collaborate with partners to restore more than 100,000 acres near Doniphan, Winona, Van Buren and Poplar Bluff, Missouri, in a Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project (CFLRP).
Spotlights
Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River Draft Comprehensive River Plan
View the newly updated DRAFT Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan
Mingo Job Corp
Working closely with employees on the Mark Twain National Forest, Mingo students spend time working on a variety of conservation projects, while getting to spend time in the woods.
Proposed Recreation Fee Changes - Recreation Facility Strategy
Mark Twain National Forest needs to develop a sustainable recreation program through the Recreation Site Analysis. Review the proposed Recreation Facility Strategy and provide comments.
Firewise Fire Information
Is your home and property prepared for a wildfire? Visit Firewise.org’s Home and Landscape website to see what you need to do to make sure your home is as prepared as possible.
Fire Status and Updates
