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Recreation

Mark Twain National Forest has a wide range of popular recreation opportunities. With seven Wilderness Areas, the Ozark Trail, the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River, many campgrounds and day use areas, springs, and areas such as Fuchs House at Markham Springs you are sure to discover your place to unplug and make the Mark Twain part of your story.

Recreation Fee Free Days

a fishing dock at the Wild Boar Hollow boat launch

2026 dates

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19, 2026
  • Presidents’ Day: February 16, 2026
  • Memorial Day: May 25. 2026
  • National Get Outdoors Day: June 13, 2026
  • Independence Day: July 4. 2026
  • Constitution Day: September 17, 2026
  • National Public Lands Day: September 26, 2026
  • Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday: October 27, 2026
  • Veteran’s Day: November 11, 2026
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Interactive Visitor Map

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Recreation

Showing: 1 - 10 of 205 results

Bar-K Wrangler Camp
Site Open
Picnicking Hiking Water Activities Horse Riding and Camping Biking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Bar-K Wrangler Camp is a quiet campground located on the west bank of Swan Creek and serves as a Trailhead for the Swan Creek Trail.  The campground is used frequently by equestrians. Whether you…

Barn Hollow Float Camp
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Barn Hollow Float Camp is on the left bank of the Eleven Point National Scenic River. This camp is located 10.4 miles downriver of Greer Crossing. Access is by river only.Canoes may be launched…

Bateman Road Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
This is a trailhead for the Bateman Trail. From this trailhead you can access the Bottoms Corner Connector and Corral section of the trail. Bateman Trail DetailsRating: ModerateLength: 16 milesBest…

Bateman Trail
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
The Bateman Trail, a non-motorized trail system, consists of approximately 16 miles of trail. This hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trail, leads you through limestone glades that can be seen…

Bay Nothing Gravel Boat Launch
Site Open
Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Bay Nothing Gravel Boat Launch is situated on the east bank of the Current River and provides a gravel boat launch for motorized and non-motorized boats. This access is less developed and smaller…

Beaver Lake Recreation Area
Site Open
Outdoor Science and Learning Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Beaver Lake is 15 acres in size. Primitive camping is allowed but no facilities are provided. There is a gravel ramp for boat access. The lake has been stocked with channel catfish, bluegill, redear…

Bell Mountain Ottery Creek Trailhead
Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning
This trailhead accesses the Taum Sauk section of the Ozark Trail (OT) and the Bell Mountain Wilderness Trail.When entering the wilderness from the Ottery Creek Trailhead a short, 2 mile trail will…

Bell Mountain Wilderness
Site Open
Hiking Outdoor Science and Learning Horse Riding and Camping Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
This is a wonderful place to spend the day hiking! This 9,143 acre wilderness is part of the St. Francois Mountains, one of the oldest landforms in North America and includes the second highest peak…

Bell Mountain Wilderness Trail
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
Visitors frequently enter the area for daytrips or as a part of a broader journey on the Ozark Trail system which crosses through the South East corner of the wilderness. The trails and wilderness…

Bell Mountain Wilderness Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Outdoor Science and Learning
This trailhead provides access to the Bell Mountain Wilderness from the north side.  It has a few parking spots, but no amenities.  There is usually just enough room for a small horse…
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