Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) is a U.S. National Forest located in the southern half of Missouri. MTNF was established on September 11, 1939. It is named for author Mark Twain, a Missouri native. The MTNF covers 3,068,800 acres (12,419 km2) of which 1,506,100 acres (6,095 km2) is public owned, 78,000 acres (320 km2) of which are Wilderness, and National Scenic River area. MTNF spans 29 counties and represents 11% of all forested land in Missouri. MTNF is divided into six distinct ranger districts: Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs, Eleven Point, Houston-Rolla, Cedar Creek, Poplar Bluff, Potosi-Fredericktown, and the Salem. The six ranger districts actually comprise nine overall unique tracts of forests. Its headquarters are in Rolla, Missouri.Plan your visit to Mark Twain National Forest and a wealth of other attractions, well-known and undiscovered, using our Rolla trip itinerary planner.
Some unique features of the Mark Twain include Greer Spring, which is the largest spring on National Forest land and part of the Eleven Point National Scenic River with an average daily flow of 214 million U.S. gallons (810 million liters). The public can also visit the Glade Top Trail National Scenic Byway, which offers views of over 30 miles (48 km) to the Boston Mountains in Arkansas. The 350-mile Ozark Trail system winds through much of the National Forest.
The Forest has two trail systems for certain motorized vehicles and bikes, being the Chadwick Motorcycle & ATV Use Area and the Sutton Bluff ATV, UTV, and Motorcycle Trail System.
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Mark Twain National Forest reviews
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We visited a small portion of this park. Our son enjoyed swimming in the river. Some were fishing, others swimming, some were in canoes/tubes/kayaks. There was plenty of parking and the bathroom...
We visited a small portion of this park. Our son enjoyed swimming in the river. Some were fishing, others swimming, some were in canoes/tubes/kayaks. There was plenty of parking and the bathroom... more »
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We were visiting in the area and discovered a hiking trail by Stone Mill Spring. If possible, we enjoyed the easy (stony) trail more than our grandson! The Spring bubbled into a pond like area and..... more
We were visiting in the area and discovered a hiking trail by Stone Mill Spring. If possible, we enjoyed the easy (stony) trail more than our grandson! The Spring bubbled into a pond like area and..... more »
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The Mark Twain National Forest has alot to offer in recreation. Most sites have picnic areas and bathrooms. Pinewood section is a great fishing spot, no swimming at this one. There is swimming at Current River, and Rocky Falls! Big Springs is quite the view!
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If you love hard enduro this is the place for you. So much area to cover you couldn't ride it all in a week straight. Terrain is so different you'll never see one part of the park that Is the same it's absolutely amazing. People are super nice and everyone there is a friend.
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