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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

2025 dates

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 20, 2025
  • National Get Outdoors Day: June 14, 2025
  • Juneteenth: June 19, 2025
  • National Public Lands Day: September 27, 2025
  • Veterans Day: November 11, 2025
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Interactive Visitor Map

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Recreation

Showing: 41 - 50 of 205 results

Council Bluff Recreation Area
Site Closed
Water Activities Hiking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Picnicking Biking
The Council Bluff Recreation Area, located next to the largest lake on the Mark Twain National Forest, is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. The area provides ample opportunities for…

Coy Bald Trailhead
Site Temporarily Closed
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Picnicking
This is a small parking area. The road loops around and goes back out to the main road. Within the loop there are several picnic tables and campsites.Coy Bald Trailhead is the western trailhead for…

Crane Lake Recreation Area
Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Crane Lake was originally created many years ago by impounding Crane Pond Creek. The dam is an earth fill dam at the upstream end of a “shut-ins” or narrow gorge cut in the granite bedrock. The…

Crossroads Access
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Crossroads Access is a carry-in access that provides parking and a foot-trail to the Big Piney River for canoeing and fishing.  You will need to carry your canoes and kayaks down the 100…

Current River
Site Open
Picnicking Hiking Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Horse Riding and Camping Outdoor Science and Learning
The Current River is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Our site provides information on the USDA Forest Service operated sites along the river. For information on the National Park Service…

Deer Leap Recreation Area
Site Closed
Water Activities Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Deer Leap Recreation Area is situated on the east bank of the Current River, this site is not one of the busier campgrounds so is often a great place to get away from the crowds. Expect some…

Devils Backbone Wilderness
Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
Visit the land where a steep, narrow, ridge drops away, plunging into deep hollows. Welcome to Devils Backbone Wilderness Area. The area draws its name from a quarter mile long stretch of trail…

Devils Backbone Wilderness Trail
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Outdoor Science and Learning
Thirteen miles of maintained foot and horse trails follow the Devils Backbone and four other ridges, dropping off into surrounding hollows in a forest dominated by oaks, hickories, and shortleaf…

Dewitt Pond Trailhead
Site Open
Biking Hiking Horse Riding and Camping
Dewitt Pond is one of the access points to the Kaintuck Hollow Trail System; however, it is still about a third of a mile hike from this "trailhead" to where the road is gated and some parking can be…

Dry Branch Access - Gasconade River
Site Open
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Water Activities
Dry Branch Access provides a gravel boat/canoe access for the Gasconade River. This is a secluded, gravel ramp into the river with a few parking spots on the side of the graveled road.
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