Trails have laced the earth’s surface for countless centuries. Early human beings followed game trails, and eventually wore trails of their own as they migrated and searched for food and water. Later, trails were developed between villages to allow for increased trade and cultural interchange. Trails also, of course, led to areas of special beauty and areas having spiritual significance.
Trails such as the Independence, the Oregon, and the Santa Fe, on which settlers moved westward across America, are legendary. Most of these trails, however, fell into disuse as roads and then paved highways lured people to speedier forms of locomotion. For many people, speed has lost at least some of its appeal and non-motorized travel again has gained importance.
Modern-day travelers are not settling new frontiers; instead, they usually seek quiet contrast to their often-hectic lives. They explore autumn-colored hills, rushing spring-fed rivers and quiet hollows. They find revitalization, inspiration and adventure in meeting the natural world on its own terms; sometimes, too, they relive at least a little of the original pioneer experience.
All of these scenic features and wilderness qualities that trail enthusiasts seek can be found in the Ozarks. These natural attractions, coupled with the sizable amount of public-owned property in the Ozarks, have prompted many trail users and land-managing agencies to envision a trail that would someday traverse the Ozarks extending from St. Louis through western Arkansas. Now, through a unique cooperative effort between state and federal agencies, private landowners and trail users, this vision of a 500-mile trail across the Missouri Ozarks is becoming a reality.
HOW WAS THE OZARK TRAIL ESTABLISHED
AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ADMINISTRATION?
In 1977, a group of public land managers, trail users and private landowners met to discuss the concept of a long-distance trail that would traverse the Missouri Ozarks. The concept was met with great enthusiasm and resulted in a commitment to work toward the development of such a trail and to establish the Ozark Trail Council. As plans for the Ozark Trail in Missouri were being formulated, a similar movement was taking place in Arkansas. The result was a commitment to develop a trail through the Ozarks of northwest Arkansas to be known as the Ozark Highlands Trail. The goal of both states is now to connect the Ozark Trail and the Ozark Highlands Trail, which will provide the opportunity to travel more than 800 miles through some of the most scenic country in the Midwest.
WHERE IS THE OZARK TRAIL LOCATED
AND WHEN WILL IT BE COMPLETE?
The Ozark Trail follows a scenic and varied route from the St. Louis metropolitan area southwestward through the Ozarks of southern Missouri to the Arkansas border where it will join the Ozark Highlands Trail. It also includes an eastern loop that traverses the scenic St. Francois Mountains region. Although much of the trail development to this point has taken place on public land, future development will be dependent upon the ability to negotiate trail easements with private landowners. The Ozark Trail is now more than 25 years old and it is hoped that the entire Ozark Trail will be complete in 10-15 years. The map in this brochure shows more than 300 miles of completed trail, as well as the entire proposed route.
