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You might not recognize the name, but don’t let that dissuade you: The Ozark Trail (OT) deserves more attention than it tends to garner. Brimming with rocky streams, dolomite glades, plunge-pool-filled shut-ins, and hidden caves, the OT flaunts some of the most geographically unique hiking you can find anywhere.
The Ozark Mountains are home to over 390 miles of trails, including the 14 (mostly) continuous sections of the Ozark Trail. But most thru-hikers come to the Missouri Ozarks for the main event: The 230-mile Ozark Trail thru-hike between Onondaga Cave State Park southeast of St. Louis and the western edge of the Mark Twain State Forest.
If you’re searching east of the Mississippi for stunning scenery, technical terrain, and a long hike option sans the AT crowds, this is your pick. Along the way you’ll cross paths with fewer people than you can count on two hands—just keep an eye out for mountain bikers and horseback riders who frequent the multi-use sections of the trail.
Hiking the Ozark Trail
The 230-mile-long backbone of the Ozark Trail links eight continuous trail sections: the Courtois Creek, Trace Creek, Middle Fork, Karkaghne, Blair Creek, Current River, Between the Rivers, and Eleven Point sections. Most thru-hikers travel north to south, but the route works in either direction. From Onondaga Trailhead, hikers embark on the first 48-mile section full of white oak, pawpaw trees, and seasonal wildflowers. Duck into caves carved into the bluffs along Courtois Creek and spot wildlife within Huzzah Conservation Area, known for cerulean warbler, wild turkey, and North American river otter sightings. Popular campsites on this section include Berryman Campground around mile 22 or dispersed creek-side spots under red bluff walls on Huzzah Creek past mile 32.
The next section along Trace Creek is an enjoyable, quiet walk in the woods. Camp out at the Hazel Creek Campground at the start of this section, or continue on for 12 miles as you pass through dense oak, hickory, and pine forests before reaching the Middle Fork/John Roth Memorial waypoint. Some hikers may choose to continue on Trace Creek to the Taum Sauk section, but OT thru-hikers should head west onto Middle Fork/John Roth Memorial section to complete the longer route. This hilly 26-mile segment gains over 2,600 feet of elevation over a contoured landscape crossing brooks, streams, and wetlands, as well as small savannahs of oak and hickory hardwoods. Camp at Highway DD trailhead near the section’s start or Harper Spring around the 15 mile-mark.
After Middle Fork, head into the 29-mile Karkaghne section, which mixes sweeping wetland prairies and ridge-lined valley views through the Sutton Bluff Recreation Area. Camp riverside on a natural gravel beach along the West Fork of the slow-moving Black River, or set up a dispersed camp anywhere in the Mark Twain National Forest that’s at least 100 feet from the trail. Keep an eye out for a short spur trail between Sutton Bluff campground and Highway TT which leads to Grasshopper Hollow, the largest fen (peat-forming wetland) in non-glaciated North America.
Wetlands give way to ridgelines at the start of the Blair Creek section. The 26-mile route follows Blair Creek south as it carves down a valley through oak-hickory-pine forest before merging with the emerald waters of the Current River. Here the 30-mile Current River section picks up, following the river for two miles before veering south toward Stegall Mountain. You’ll find this area along the Indian Creek and Rocky Creek flush with shut-ins, water-eroded rock formations unique to the Ozarks that feature complex systems of plunge pools, rivulets, and shallow waterfalls. Enjoy views of the Ozark landscape as you gain 500 feet of elevation up 2.5 miles to the top of Stegall Mountain. Camp out at the top overnight, catching a glimpse of a full sky of stars if it’s clear.
The next 30 miles of Between the Rivers does just as it says: bridges the gap between the Current River and the Eleven Point River. The route passes several tributaries including Wildhorse Hollow, Devil’s Run, and Chilton and Big Barren Creeks, but lacks the larger swimming holes found up until this point on the OT. A gradual climb along a ridgeline from the Current River watershed to the Eleven Point River watershed takes you through forests filled with white and scarlet oak. Lock-in your thru-hike with the completion of the 29-mile Eleven Point River section. The finish challenges hikers with over 3,200 feet of elevation gain through slopes and hollows that follow the contours of the Eleven Point National Scenic River, with plenty of options to dip your feet in clear pools and rock-stirred rapids along the way. Enjoy sweeping views from dolomite bluffs and a hallmark lookout over Greer Spring at mile 12, then finish up at Eleven Point western trailhead (also known as 4155 Trailhead).
When to Hike the Ozark Trail
Most hikers complete the full, 230-mile thru-hike in 10-12 days (an average pace of 19-20 miles per day). The most popular time to thru-hike the OT is early May to late June and mid-August to mid-October. In spring and summer, hikers are more likely to experience bugs and wildlife, extreme heat, high humidity, and unexpected rain and wind storms. While heat and bugs are less of a problem in the fall and spring seasons, thru-hikers should be mindful of unexpected temperature swings and precipitation during these times of year. Heavy rain can lead to rising water levels, which may impact river crossings.
Gear for the Ozark Trail
With access to the Ozark Trail available year-round, hikers will need to prepare differently for each season. Ozark springs (March through May) see a lot of rain and varied temperatures; Ozark summers (June through September) tend to be hot, muggy, and wet; Ozark falls and winters (October through February) can drop to the lower 40s with chances of snow. Wet weather is common to the Ozark climate, especially in late spring through summer, and fosters a breeding ground for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks. Consider bringing waterproof shoes and treating your clothes ahead of time with permethrin to repel insects. In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round.
Permits
A perk of hiking lesser-traveled trails are fewer (or non-existent) permits and parking fees. The Ozark Trail does not have permit, parking, or registration requirements for its trail sections.