Mountain Biking in the Missouri Ozarks
Trail Guide for FRANKLIN, GASCONADE, Crawford, Phelps & Dent Counties
The Quiet Mountain Bike Mecca
Most of the country has not figured out yet that the Missouri Ozarks — and Crawford County in particular — is one of the better single-track destinations between the Rockies and the Smokies. The Berryman Trail in the Mark Twain National Forest is the headliner. Beyond that, there is a stack of less-famous trails within easy driving distance, less crowded than what you would find in Bentonville or Pisgah, and with that classic Ozark mix of hardwood ridges, rocky descents, and creek crossings.
This is a local guide written by people who actually own land out here. We are not professional MTB reviewers — we are a couple of land guys who know which trails our buyers and friends like.
The Berryman Trail — Crawford County
The headliner. A 24-mile loop in the Mark Twain National Forest near Steelville. Originally built as a horse trail in the 1930s, it has been a cornerstone Missouri MTB destination for decades. Mostly intermediate-friendly with some technical sections, big elevation rolls, and that Ozark feel of being deep in the timber for miles between road crossings.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced riders looking for a long day in the woods.
Length: 24-mile loop. Many riders do half-loops with a shuttle.
Surface: Single-track, packed dirt, some rocky and rooty sections, occasional creek crossings.
Season: Spring and fall are best. Summer is hot and buggy. Winter is rideable but watch for downed limbs and freeze-thaw mud.
Trailhead: Brazil Creek Trailhead is the most common put-in. Parking and primitive camping available.
Land near the Berryman Trail →
Council Bluff Trail — Just South of Dent County
The lake loop. A 12-mile loop around Council Bluff Lake in Iron County, just south of our service area but a short drive from any property in Dent County. Smoother and friendlier than the Berryman. Good intermediate trail with lake views, rolling terrain, and clean tread.
Best for: Intermediate riders, riders who want lake-side camping options, mixed-skill groups.
Length: 12-mile loop.
Surface: Mostly smooth single-track with some rocky sections.
Season: Spring through fall.
Other Mark Twain National Forest Options
The Mark Twain has hundreds of miles of trail across central and southern Missouri. Most are technically open to mountain bikes, though some are primarily horse or hiker trails. A few worth knowing:
- Sutton Bluff Recreation Area — in Reynolds County, about an hour from Salem. Connector trails through the surrounding forest.
- Forest Service Roads — if you like gravel grinding, the Mark Twain has miles of unpaved forest roads that are perfect for long, low-traffic gravel days.
Official trail info: fs.usda.gov/marktwain
Closer-In and Shorter Options
- Onondaga Cave State Park (Crawford County) — a few miles of multi-use trail, more for a quick afternoon than a destination ride.
- Meramec State Park (Franklin County) — trails primarily for hiking, but a couple of multi-use sections. Worth checking the current rules with the park.
- Local rail-trails and gravel roads — for casual rides, the rural roads in our five counties are some of the lowest-traffic, most scenic gravel grinding in the Midwest.
Tips for Riding the Ozarks
- Tubeless tires are not optional. Sharp Ozark rock punctures tubes constantly.
- Bring more water than you think. Trailheads in the National Forest do not have potable water.
- Cell service is unreliable. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
- Watch for hunters in season. The Berryman is in National Forest land; hunting is permitted in season. Wear blaze orange in November.
- Steelville is the closest town for the Berryman — gas, food, and bike repair if needed.
Buying Land Near the Trails?
We have buyers who specifically look for property within easy reach of the Berryman or Council Bluff. There is real, growing demand for recreational property near top-tier trail systems — and that demand has not been priced into all of the available inventory yet. If trail access is part of what you are looking for, tell us and we will hunt for it.
Justin Head · 573.308.7376 · justin.head@whitetailproperties.com
Ryan Record · 573.259.6360 · ryan.record@whitetailproperties.com