Missouri Off-Road Trails

Mashit Spur B offers the perfect access to Palmer Lake, an old barite mine. The trail dead ends at the water's edge, where there is a boat ramp. To the east, there is some shoreline to set up for camping, and the same applies to the west. Going to the west, it connects to the dam. Palmer Lake is a popular area for fishing, boating, camping, and driving around. Check it out to maximize your recreation activity potential!

Barite is also spelled Baryte and is the main compound used in making barium. Barium is used in drilling muds, paint, glass, ceramics, and rubber. Barium sulfate is also used in medical tests and X-rays!

Forest Service Road 1735, also known as Huffman, is an easy trail through the Mark Twain National Forest, providing two access points to Little Piney Creek. Throughout the length of the track, golfball-sized gravel and smaller make up the road conditions, and it is generally not very rough. There are two small water crossings at the northern end, with the entire length of the trail being full-size truck-friendly. Three obvious campsites can be found, two of which are along the creek and the third one at the top of the ridge on the southeastern end of the trail. All three locations can fit multiple rigs. Signs for fishing are prominently displayed if you want to cast a line. It is quiet and close to I-44, making it easily accessible.

The highlight is a large gravel bar right on the river's edge, making it a prime time camping location! There is one small creek crossing on the northern end and golfball-sized gravel throughout the length of the road. It stops at a boat ramp and a decent-sized campsite for a couple of vehicles. There is a large, open field, clearly showing the bluff on the east side of the river, behind an old fence. This trail is absolutely worth checking out, especially for the gravel bar camping. 

Depending on weather conditions and river water level, the end of the trail might be impassable. There is clear evidence of past high flood waters.

Forest Service Road 1794, also known as the National Scenic Trail, is an out-and-back road that provides access to the Big Piney River. At the official end of the MVUM road, it continues around a muddy bend before stopping at the river. There is a boat ramp and a large, flat camping area that can accommodate multiple rigs. The trail itself has loose baseball-size rocks and smaller ones, with water runoff ruts from the top of the ridge down to almost the end at the bottom. Once the trail flattens out, there are multiple gravel bottomed water puddles. If you are looking for a quiet river location, look no further.

Be sure to check weather conditions and river water levels that may make the end of the trail impassable. Past flooding is clearly evident in the area.

McBride is an out-and-back trail giving access to the Gasconade River. It starts at the top of the ridge as a typical gravel road and once at the bottom transitions to a two-track to the river. There is a creek bed that runs through the trail at multiple points. Generally, the gravel size is golfball and smaller. Once it turns to the northeast, there is a cliff with small cave entrances to explore. At the end of the track, a couple of small camping areas with great views are available, along with a boat ramp.

Depending on weather conditions and river water level, the end of the trail might be impassable. There is clear evidence of past high flood waters.

Forest Service Road Brown provides access to the Gasconade River. The track starts at the top of a ridge line with private property on either side of the road. Open fields with cattle provide clear visibility to the surrounding ridgelines in the distance. Once the trail starts descending to the valley below, this marks the transition to public land. Golfball-sized gravel and some water runoff areas are not a challenge. The trail then turns around at a point right next to the river. The area is large and flat, so that multiple vehicles can set up for the only obvious campsite on the trail. There is one side trail near the end that heads to the river as well. 

Depending on weather conditions and river water level, the end of the trail might be impassable. There is clear evidence of past high flood waters.