Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Pontiac, Missouri

Glade Top Southwest (Sky Line Drive) FSR 149

This trail is the southwest branch of the Glade Top National Forest Scenic Byway, also known as Sky Line Drive FSR 149 within the USDA Forestry Service. It is a scenic 5.8 miles long gravel…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Devreaux Ridge Road

A point-to-point trail providing access to ample camping, OHV, and hunting opportunities inside Mark Twain National Forest. Primarily gravel road with multiple optional connections to primitive trails throughout. Rolling and turning hills with one creek…
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Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa

Old River Road

Old River Road is an enjoyable scenic drive through the Buffalo National River wildlife management area. It features high mountain views, many creek crossings in the wet season, historic homesteads, campgrounds, and Buffalo River access…
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Total Miles
15.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Carwash Falls

One of the most popular places to visit is the Ozark National Forest. This route runs north and south along the Big Piney Creek and offers abundant scenery and numerous places to camp along the…
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Total Miles
13.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Wi

Rail Hollow

Rail Hollow starts out from Stallion Bluff Road/FSR2185 and descends along The Piney Creek Wilderness on 39-1M/FSR1018. It is a well-maintained gravel road freshly graded and wide enough for two vehicles to pass. Once passing…
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Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Smith Branch Trail

Smith Branch Trail starts along the Rail Hollow Trail at FSR1019. It is a narrower single-lane road with some areas to pass another vehicle. It has been recently graded but is slightly rougher than Rail…
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Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Piney Ridge

Piney Ridge starts out from Stallion Bluff Road at Forest Road 178. It is a wide two-lane gravel road in great condition with fresh gravel in some areas. To the East borders Piney Creek Wilderness…
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Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Little Piney Creek - Union School

This is a fun, dirt and gravel road with 3 miles of single-vehicle trail. There are several water crossings typically 12" deep, and some shallow mud holes, but it can be much deeper and more…
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Total Miles
9.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Scroggins Ridge to Rock Creek

Scroggins Ridge 1171 is a gravel forest road in Mark Twain National Forest that descends south from highway 76 down to Rock Creek. There are 6 creek crossings that can be challenging after heavy rains.…
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Total Miles
6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mary Cole Ridge

Mary Cole Ridge 1011 is a scenic ridge road in Mark Twain National Forest with distant overlooks through the hardwoods seen in the fall and wintertime. This meandering ridgeline road has many campsite pull-offs and…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pilot Knob Mountain

This will take you to the top of Pilot Knob Mountain. It is a short road, but the beautiful view that is worth a detour if you haven't been. Elevation is 2080'. The first 200'…
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Total Miles
0.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Mark Twain National Forest Scenic Drive

This is a Mark Twain National Forest Scenic Byway Drive between Highway 112 and 86 in South West Missouri near Roaring River State Park and Eagle Rock, Missouri. Following NF Road 197 or FR 2275,…
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Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Su / Sp

Prison Fence Trail

An easy scenic trail with a variety of terrain types including gravel, dirt, mud holes, rock ledges and shallow water crossings. The elevation varies from around 1100' to just over 2400' as it follows along…
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Total Miles
16.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Mark Twain NF Trail

An easy scenic trail meandering through the forest trails and back roads of Mark Twain National Forest. Roads are a mix of dirt/gravel forestry and county roads. There are several hiking, biking, and NF recreation…
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Total Miles
47.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Morgan Mountain Road

Morgan Mountain Trail runs through the Ozark National Forest near Cass, Arkansas. The road is accessible at several points along the route. This trail used to extend further, however, there was a landslide that caused…
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Total Miles
7.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Scenic Riverways

The Scenic Riverways drive is a combination of gravel county roads and forest service roads within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It's an easy-going drive starting out of Eminence and heading North/East along the Jacks…
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Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Overgrowth Spur

The Overgrowth Spur runs North to South through Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This trail offers dispersed campsites if chosen with creativity. There are plenty of pull-off locations in case of traffic. Fallen trees…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cave Spoon

The Cave Spoon runs North to South through Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This trail offers dispersed campsites if chosen with creativity. There are plenty of pull-off locations in case of traffic. Fallen trees…
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Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Gooseneck Trail

The Gooseneck Trail runs East to West through Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. This trail offers 2 designated primitive campsites with a fire ring. One is located at the intersection of FR4799, and the…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Devils Canyon Trail

Devils Canyon trail is short, but worth the drive. The trail is out-and-back with plenty of primitive campsites if you are looking for a beautiful place to stay. The 1.14 mile trail ends with a…
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Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi