ROLLA, Mo.–The big event coming up in the spring of 2024 is the total solar eclipse on April 8. That coincides with youth turkey hunting season, so we ask that visitors and hunters be aware, be courteous, and be cautious. Visitors, please ensure you are wearing safety orange if you want to venture in the woods the weekend before the eclipse. Hunters, please be aware of the expected increase in visitation to the Forest. Turkey Hunters are also encouraged to check our website forWalk-in Turkey Hunting Area information. These spots make great places to go find a gobbler.
Spring is not just for hunting though, many folks will be taking advantage of the warming weather to camp, hike, bike, ride, and just generally enjoy the Forest. For everyone choosing to explore trails, go to the maps and publications section of the website (fs.usda.gov/mtnf) to find downloadable maps of many of our most used recreation trails. You can also explore the Forest using the Interactive Visitor Map online before going to explore it IRL. That is a great way to pick multiple destinations for a weekend getaway to the woods. Whatever user group’s hat or helmet you find yourself wearing in the woods, be respectful of all the other users too! Sharing trails and being courteous to one another leads to everyone enjoying their visit to public lands and preserves the outstanding legacy of outdoor enthusiasm that everyone has built here on Mark Twain National Forest.
Be prepared! Along with people thawing out and finding their way in the woods, animals and plants are also coming to life. Ensuring that you have bug spray and check for ticks is important. Sometimes mother nature also likes to give Missouri excessive rain in the springtime. If that is the case, please keep an eye out on river levels and don’t try to cross flowing water in a vehicle. Whether you are wanting to avoid high water or find out what the river levels are for kayaking and canoeing, the best place to track water levels is on the USGS website at https://water.weather.gov/ahps/
After a big day out in the woods, you’ve earned a good night’s rest. Luckily, Mark Twain National Foerst has some excellent places to go. Here is a list of some of the most popular campgrounds across the Forest:
- Silver Mines Recreation Area opens Mach 9th. Campsites start at $15.00 per night. This beautiful area is located along the St. Francis River, the only river in Missouri classified as “white water,” and is used for kayaking during the spring high waters.
- Loggers Lake opens April 7th. Campsites starting at $15.00 per night. Located in Shannon County, this campground is situated along the south-east shore of the 22-acre Logger’s Lake. It’s a great place to find dark skies for viewing the night sky.
- Cobb Ridge Campground is located adjacent to the Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV trail system. Campsites start at $15.00 and day use permits for the trial system start at $7.00.
Fees across the Forest were recently updated for the first time in a couple decades, so your favorite spot might have a new price. Prices for camping are posted at each campground and available on our website. Those fees are collected and go back into maintaining the recreation sites right here on the Forest. Whatever you do, we hope you have a fun spring and find many positive adventures with friends and family while visiting Mark Twain National Forest!
Remember to follow us at www.facebook.com/marktwainnationalforest and share some of your recreation pictures with us!