Mark Twain National Forest

Missouri’s Mark Twain National Forest offers visitors a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities around the Branson/Lakes Area with more than 75,000 acres of national forest in Stone and Taney Counties.

West of U.S. Highway 65 is the Cassville District of the forest, which includes the Piney Creek Wilderness, Big Bay Recreation Area, Shell Knob and Onyx Cave. East of U.S. 65 is the Ava District, which includes Arkansas View, Bar K Wrangler, Camp Ridge, Caney, Cobb Ridge, Corbitt Potter, Hercules Glades, Tidwell, Watershed Divide, Willie Lee and Wolf Junction.

Significant hiking and backpacking trails are in the Piney Creek Wilderness and the Hercules Glades Wilderness, which encompass some of the most scenic and unique country in the Midwest.

Camping Areas:

• Blue Buck Knob National Forest Scenic Byway.
• Devils Backbone Wilderness.
• Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway.
• Hercules Glades Wilderness.
• Noblett Lake Recreation Area.
• North Fork Section of Ozark Trail.
• Piney Creek Wilderness.
• Ridge Runner Trail.