Chadwick Motorized Trails System
Nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep forested hollows and down long ridge tops. It’s possible to plan a wide variety of full-loop riding without backtracking. All riders will encounter advanced riding challenges.
Situated about four miles southwest of Chadwick, Missouri, from which it got its name, the Chadwick Motorized Trails System is a 12 square mile chunk of rough national forest land in Ozark country. Camping facilities are close at hand for riders or other visitors.
Off Trail Travel
Off-trail travel is allowed only at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Cobb Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the map.
Terrain and Topography
Chadwick Area is mostly forested with oak, hickory, and pine woods on rocky ridge tops, with a few small open forest glades. Steep ridges break into narrow hollows with scattered surface rock and occasional rock ledges, and patches of eastern red cedar.
Trail Details
- Difficulty Rating: mostly moderate
- Length: +/- 80 miles
- Best Seasons: Fall and spring
- Surface Type: Segment 113 to H Highway has paved portions, all other segments and sections are native material
- Average Trail Grade: Varies by segment.
- Trail 101 - ranges from 0 - 5% up to 20-30% grade
- Trail 102 - 12 - 20%
- Trail 104 - 20 - 30%
- Trail 110 - mostly 12 - 20%, small section of 20 - 30%
- Trail 113 and 113 NW - ranges from 0 - 5% up to 20 - 30%
- Trail 115 - 20 - 30%
- Trail 117 - 5 - 8%
- Trail 120 - 20 - 30%
- Trail 122 - to Trail 101 has a 20 - 30% grade, to Trail 121 has a 30 - 40% grade
- Trail 124 - areas of 20 - 30% grade and 30 - 40% grade
- Trail 126 - most of the segment is 20 - 30%, small sections are 30 - 40% or 12 - 20%
- Trail 127 - most is 20 - 30%
- Trail 128 - 12 - 20%
- Trail 130 - 20 - 30%
- Trail 131 - 20 - 30%
- Trail 132 and 132A - ranges from 8-10% to 20 - 30%
- Trail 135 - 30 - 40%
- Trail 136 - 20 -30%
- Trail 137 - 12 - 20%
- Trail 171 - mostly 20 - 30% grade, sections of 8 - 10% and 30 - 40%
Active Alerts
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
Accessibility
- Vault toilet at KC Pavilion Trailhead is accessible.
- Cobb Ridge Campground -
- Vault toilet is accessible
- showers are accessible
- Site #10 is accessible
General Information
Camping
Trailer and tent camping at Cobb Ridge. Reservations recommended, however some sites are first come, first served.
Restrooms
- Camp Ridge,
- KC Pavilion,
- Cobb Ridge Recreation Area
Picnic Tables
- KC Pavilion,
- Camp Ridge
Safety:
- During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures.
- Be aware of hunting seasons.
For more safety tips visit the Safety section of the website.
Available Maps:
- Chadwick Trails - PDF
Visit Visitor Maps and Guides for information on available Forest Visitor Maps, Topographic Maps, and Mobile App/Interactive Maps.
January - December
- There is a camping fee at Cobb Ridge Campground.
- There are no fees at trailheads.
Riding permit required. Visit the Passes and Permits section of the site for prices and how to buy Mark Twain passes.
No drinking water is available at trailheads or along the trail; bring what you will need, or be prepared to sterilize water you find.
There is potable water available at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
On the Trail
- Riders must obey all State laws established for vehicles used off-highway.
- Motorized vehicles used in Chadwick riding area must be no more than 50 inches wide.
- Use only established numbered and approved trails - do not go cross country.
- Vehicles must have an appropriate muffler and approved spark arrester maintained in effective working order.
- All equipment must have operable braking systems.
At the Trailheads
- No overnight camping in day use areas at any time of year.
- No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
Address: 1006 S. Jefferson Ava, MO 65608
Phone: 417-683-4428
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
Trailhead/Starting Points
Segment Length Begin Segment End Segment
1.7917 Lookout Road Pavement Trail 127A
13.496 Trail 101 Trail 101, 104, 115, 120, 121, 122, 171, Cobb Ridge
1.508 Trail 102 Trail 104A
0.6692 Trail 104 Trail 104
0.2359 Trail 105 Trail 128
7.2571 Trail 110 Trail 110, Trail 135
13.3342 Trail 113 Trail 108, 113, 114, 129, 131, 138, 171, H Highway
0.3678 Trail 113 NW Trail 113 NE
0.8256 Trail 115 Trail 115
5.0967 Trail 117 Trail 171
0.853 Trail 120 Trail 119, 121
1.5282 Trail 122 Trail 101, 121
2.2513 Trail 124 Trail 124, 126
5.2283 Trail 126 Trail 101, 126, 126 C
0.1229 Trail 126A Trail 140
0.8641 Trail 127 Trail 127
0.4303 Trail 127B
Parking
Parking is estimated based on parking to ensure that other vehicles can fit in the parking areas:
- KC Pavilion Trailhead - 20 vehicles with trailers
- Oak Camp Trailhead - 3 vehicles with trailers
- Camp Ridge Trailhead - 25 vehicles with trailers
Cobb Ridge Campground - located on the western portion of the trail, visitors camping at Cobb Ridge can access the trail from the campground, but there's no day use parking or designated trailhead at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
Directions
There are three trailheads for the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area:
- KC Pavilion Trailhead - western portion of the trail, near Cobb Ridge
- Oak Camp Trailhead - southern portion of the trail
- Camp Ridge Trailhead - northern portion of the trail
Cobb Ridge Campground - located on the western portion of the trail, visitors camping at Cobb Ridge can access the trail from the campground, but there's no day use parking or designated trailhead at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
Additional Information
Operated By
USDA Forest Service
Nearby Recreation Sites
Recreation Opportunities
Biking - Mountain Info
This trail is heavily used by ATV/OHV users. ATV's do have the right-of-way, so please be prepared for frequent stops.
Most trails stay on the ridge tops or hollow bottoms, with connecting trails crossing slide slopes. Some trail sections offer greater challenges than others. Various methods may be used to indicate closed trails. Travel only open marked trails, and stay off closed routes.
Off-trail travel is allowed only at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Camp Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the map provided at the top of the page.
Orange Diamonds with trail numbers mark the open, designated trails.
There are three trailheads - KC Pavilion, Oak Camp, and Camp Ridge. Visitors camping Cobb Ridge can access the trail from the campground, but there's no day use parking or designated trailhead at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
OHV Trail RidingOHV Trail Riding Info
Most trails stay on the ridge tops or hollow bottoms, with connecting trails crossing slide slopes. Some trail sections offer greater challenges than others. Various methods may be used to indicate closed trails. Travel only open marked trails, and stay off closed routes.
Off-trail travel is allowed only at two locations in the Chadwick Area. One is the 3-acre Family Play Area just to the west of Camp Ridge Campground. The other is the 5-acre Trials Bike Area, located between Trails 110 and 135, near the head of Cobb Ridge. These areas are shown on the map provided at the top of the page.
Orange Diamonds with trail numbers mark the open, designated trails.
There are three trailheads - KC Pavilion, Oak Camp, and Camp Ridge. Visitors camping Cobb Ridge can access the trail from the campground, but there's no day use parking or designated trailhead at Cobb Ridge Recreation Area.
Picnicking - Single Info
KC Pavilion Trailhead
No day use fee
This site has a pavilion that can accommodate up to 40 or 50 people. There is one large grill and several picnic tables available.
Camp Ridge Recreation Area
No day use fee
There are 3 picnic tables with grills available for visitors to use.
Recreation Groups
Nearly 80 miles of multi-use trails for ATV, UTV, motorcycle, and mountain bikes wind in and out of deep forested hollows and down long ridge tops.