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. Size is perfect for day trips, smaller individuals, and teens.
Here are their (and my own) stories and advice for conquering this rugged, beautiful, rewarding excursion. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top daypacks. I don’t make it a habit of buying my gear from Walmart, but this was a excellent purchase. I use this pack on a daily basis to carry my office clothes while I ride my bike to work and to carry light loads while out Geocaching. Water sources like rivers and streams may only be available seasonally.
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, ozark trail canopy and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round. The next section along Trace Creek is an enjoyable, quiet walk in the woods.
If you’re on the trail for several days, toilet paper and a cathole shovel are necessities. When you do have to answer the call of the wild, make sure to stay at least 100 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep. Some sections have restrictions on their use in order to be compatible with the goals and purposes of the various public and private landholders whose property the trail crosses. Horseback riding, mountain biking, or trail side camping may be restricted in certain environmentally sensitive areas. The trail is currently composed of thirteen sections, most of which are joined to other sections, though some gaps exist.
Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. If you need a large pack, or are heading on a days-long adventure, this pack won’t work for you. On the small side, so it won’t work for hikers who need a spacious pack. He suggests carrying paper copies of the Ozark Trail maps, which can be purchased through the Ozark Trail Association, Alpine Shop, or printed free from the website — as well as a GPS device.
It is intended to reach from St. Louis to Arkansas. Over 350 miles (563 km) of the trail have been completed as of 2008, and the estimated length when finished will be at least 500 miles (805 km). With access to the Ozark Trail available year-round, hikers will need to prepare differently for each season. Ozark springs see a lot of rain and varied temperatures; Ozark summers tend to be hot, muggy, and wet; Ozark winters can drop below freezing. Wet weather is common to the Ozark climate, especially in late spring through summer, and fosters a breeding ground for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks.
Be prepared to adjust plans based on the conditions you encounter. Have backup plans in case of gear and equipment failures. “Park services all but abandoned trail maintenance because of COVID. Ticks were unavoidable given the amount of growth encroaching on the trail,” she said. Tents, hammocks or open-air camping — you can do it all according to your comfort level. Just be prepared to face changing weather conditions out in the wilderness.
The sections vary in length from 8 to 40 miles (13 to 64 km). The longest continuous stretch available for hiking in as of 2008[update] is 225 miles (362 km), from Onondaga Cave State Park to the Eleven Point River. The exact routes for incomplete sections have not been established, so the total length of the trail when completed remains undetermined.