The Ozark Trail: A Guide to Hiking Missouri’s Mountains

I’d have 3 days to sample them all before setting off into the Ozarks. Comfy and roomy pants or shorts are best (hopefully with pockets, so kids can carry their own snacks and trash). Most kids will do fine with sneakers on short hikes. Once your family is hiking distances on a regular basis, invest in some boots. Kids’ boots are cheaper than adults, and they often outgrow them before they wear them out, so they can get a lot of use by multiple kids.

A reader emailed several good questions while preparing for a backpacking trip on the Ozark Highlands Trail. Because it’s basically a single compartment stuff bag, I did have to make sure the items inside were distributed properly. I have used the hydration compartment for items like my iPad. By default, this unexpectedly ended up being ozark trail chair my go-to daily bag for several months. Order your 2024 Official Missouri Travel Guide and start planning your Missouri adventure today. Tents, hammocks or open-air camping — you can do it all according to your comfort level.

On the small side, so it won’t work for hikers who need ozark trail backpack a spacious pack. Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free. I think you could strap things to the outside, as it has a daisy chain and two loops at the bottom. I agree with the other reviewer though, I would not go over about pounds with this pack.

A thru-hike can begin at the Onondaga State Park and proceed southward to the Eleven Point Western trailhead, or move in the opposite direction from south to north. The Ozark Trail Association Trip Planner contains information on a thru-hike, including directions to Onondaga State Park and Eleven Point Western trailheads. A perk of hiking lesser-traveled trails are fewer (or non-existent) permits and parking fees.

Many higher quality tents could cost 3 or 4 times that amount. Usually I share a 2- or 3-person tent when backpacking with others to split up the weight, but as mentioned we each needed to be self-contained so I brought my 1-person tent from Ozark Trail. If you’re searching east of the Rockies for stunning scenery, technical terrain, and a long hike option sans the AT crowds, this is your pick. I sweated just a bit but not too much since the walk was short (and I didn’t want to sweat after a shower).

ozark trail backpack

While this pack may not be big enough to carry all the gear you need for longer treks, it offers many of the features you would want at a good price. Find the best backpack for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. Trailspace’s community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top daypacks. I’ve had this pack for 2 years and I’ve beaten the living daylights out of it and it still performs just as well as the day I bought it. After being ridden hard for around 125 miles, the brakes and front derailleur needed some time and attention with an Allen wrench to dial them back in.

Specifically designed for the demands of long distance backpacking, the award-winning Duplex hits the sweet spot when it comes to size, weight, and features. The Free Zip provides the versatility of a freestanding tent with all the benefits of an ultralight shelter made from Dyneema® Composite Fabric. It is truly a go-to tent for just about any backpacking trip.

I’ve tried tents with the door on one end and it is cumbersome. For the end-door variants, one has to toss their sleeping bag down the tent when getting ozark trail chair ready for bed. Other items that you may want to keep at the foot of the sleeping area are also hard to access or reach if your head is near the door.

I was a little concerned with how the straps would distribute weight. Prior to taking it out on the trail, I did give it two coats of silicone spray so that it would shed water. Packing-wise, I chose to line it with a garbage disposal liner. If you need a large pack, or are heading on a days-long adventure, this pack won’t work for you. While this pack won’t work for everyone, it’s a practical size for day trips, light travelers, and kids.

The next section along Trace Creek is an enjoyable, quiet walk in the woods. Some hikers may choose to continue on Trace Creek to the Taum Sauk section, but OT thru-hikers should head west onto Middle Fork/John Roth Memorial section to complete the longer route. This hilly 26-mile segment gains over 2,600 feet of elevation over a contoured landscape crossing brooks, streams, and wetlands, as well as small savannahs of oak and hickory hardwoods.