Mark Twain National Forest
The Mark Twain National Forest, located in southern Missouri is the only National Forest in the State. It encompasses
1,487,009 acres, 63,000 of which are congressionally declared wildernesses. The forest lies mostly within the Ozark
Plateau, dotted with remnant hills from this country’s oldest mountains, the Ozarks.
Noted for its beautiful scenic qualities, the Forest contains a variety of land forms, from gently rolling plains to
heavily dissected areas with deep sinuous valleys containing clear, cool spring-fed rivers and streams. Peaks, hills,
and knobs of varying heights are scattered throughout. Exposed rock and open glades add visual interest in many areas.
The forest lies within an interesting vegetative transition zone that includes tall grass prairie, central hardwoods
and pine, northern hardwoods, and southern coastal species. This provides a wealth of plant variety during all seasons.
Spring flowering and fall coloration are particularly vivid, though many plants bloom throughout the growing season.
Throughout the Forest, many trails provide hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking opportunities, including 300
completed miles of the 500-mile Ozark Trail.
The Mark Twain National Forest is popular with hunters, trappers, fishers, and people who enjoy observing, studying,
and photographing wild flowers and wildlife. The forest has about 175 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, and
70 species of amphibians and reptiles. Game species include whitetail deer, turkey, quail, woodcocks, doves, ducks,
geese, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, woodchucks, bobcats, and coyotes.
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