Water sources indicated on the OTA maps are mostly reliable. “[The Ozark Trail] is more raw than other trails I’ve thru-hiked. There are few bridges over creek crossings and hardly any developed campsites,” Letner said.
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Lunch was mostly another ProBar, Primal Strips vegan jerky, and Kitch Fix granola. Dinner was freeze-dried hiking food from Backpacker’s Pantry, Patagonia Provisions, and Food For The Sole. I mailed food resupply boxes to Bushy Creek Lodge and The Landing in Van Buren.
What’s more, the OT offers many things to see and experience for both seasoned and first-time backpackers. The Ozark Trail had its beginnings in the 1970s when a group of public land managers, land owners, and trail users met to discuss the concept of a long-distance hiking trail. A comprehensive state outdoor recreation plan prepared by the state of Missouri in 1975 showed a need for an addition of 500 to 900 miles (805 to 1,448 km) of hiking trails. A first meeting in 1976 at Meramec State Park lead to the first draft of the trails proposal in February 1977 and in 1981 the first sections of the trail were under construction.
Whether you’re getting ready to head out hiking, going shopping, or traveling, this backpack is up to the job! It features a front zippered pocket for your accessories and keys and a large open main compartment for everything else. 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.
This was day nine of my 16-day thru-hike of the Ozark Trail (OT). Browse Ozark Trail’s top-rated backpacks and more. Find the best backpack for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. Order your 2023 Official Missouri Travel Guide and start planning your #MissouriAdventure today. While much of the trail is under shaded tree canopy, you’ll still want to use sunscreen to prevent any burns. The Ozark Trail Association maintains a number of maps to help you traverse each section of the trail.
The OT is a great “starters thru-hike” in both length and technicality. The one place this trail may be considered more advanced is the lack of towns along the trail for resupply and a bed, shower, ozark trail canopy and town food. Streams and creeks can run deep and quick during heavy rains, and temperatures can dip below freezing in the spring and autumn. There are long stretches without cell phone service.
Although I saw many diggings from feral hogs, I was fortunate to have never come across any. I did meet a hunter in the woods whose hands and arms were covered in blood. She had just shot a wild hog and had cut out the “back straps” to eat. My first ozark trail outdoor equipment night out I heard coyotes howling just before I fell asleep, which half startled me but was also beautiful to hear. “The AT, PCT, and CDT have a higher profile, but not many people can take three to five months out of their lives to do a thru-hike.