Mark Twain National Forest

Missouri's only national forest, the Mark Twain sprawls across 1.5 million acres of the Ozark Highlands spanning 29 counties, making it one of the most geographically dispersed national forests in the country. Named for the state's most famous literary son, the forest encompasses the rugged beauty of the Ozarks with crystal-clear springs, scenic rivers, limestone bluffs, and vast cave systems that make Missouri the "Cave State." The Eleven Point River, designated as a National Scenic River, flows through the forest with waters so clear that snorkelers can spot smallmouth bass in its deep pools.\n\nThe forest protects seven congressionally designated wilderness areas totaling over 63,000 acres, each offering distinct Ozark landscapes from open glades to rugged hollows. The unique glade ecosystems -- natural prairie-like openings on south-facing dolomite slopes -- harbor drought-tolerant wildflowers and eastern collared lizards more commonly associated with the desert Southwest. Underground, the forest sits atop one of the most extensive karst landscapes in the nation.\n\nRecreation includes over 750 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, with the Ozark Trail stretching over 230 miles through the forest's most scenic terrain. The forest's nine developed float streams draw thousands of canoeists and kayakers annually.