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

The fishing rod holder on this backpack is a game-changer. It’s so convenient to have my hands free while still being able to carry my fishing rod securely. The rod holder is adjustable, so it can accommodate different sizes of rods, which was a great feature to have on the go.

You may find it helpful to make a list of meals for each day you are out on the trail to ensure that you are not over- or under-packing for your trip. Exploring Missouri’s scenic backcountry is one of the best reasons to head out on the Ozark Trail. The area offers many things to see and experience, including 1.5 billion-year-old mountains, pristine rivers and some of largest freshwater ozark trail backpack springs in the United States. The Pelican also features a different pull handle than the Yeti and Ozark coolers as well. I do think the Pelicans pull handle is the lowest on my list of the three.

It would make a great camping backpack but also serve well as a travel backpack for more urban adventures. This unisex camping and hiking backpack is large enough to hold supplies for several days, but not bulky or inhibiting enough to become a nuisance. A great pack for day hikes, hunting and weekend camping. The Ozark Trail 1-Person Backpacking Tent is on the cheaper end of the spectrum. A variety of websites have it currently priced for less than $50. Many higher quality tents could cost 3 or 4 times that amount.

I also liked how my head wasn’t directly beside the door, which often occurs for an end-door tent. If something crawled through the zipper door it wouldn’t immediately be inches from my face but instead would have to work its way a few more feet to my head. At the same time, my head wasn’t zero or six feet from the door, but about two or three feet at all times. A great way to ask questions of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts is to check out the Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers  (OTSHAB) Facebook page. You’ll find numerous advocates eager to answer your questions and aid you in planning your thru-hike.

We hike anywhere from 3 to 4 miles at a time up to 7 miles with a goal of a 10-mile round trip day hike. Sometimes it’s a single trail or we combine multiple trails at a state park. During these longer hikes I found it useful to have a large hiking bag and not just a school backpack.

Thru-hiking is defined as hiking the contiguous 230-mile backbone of the Ozark Trail in one trip. 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. Fit and finish were pretty good — no loose seams or stitching.

This cooler is not only smaller in its overall size but also a fraction of the price of the competition. Similar to the Ozark Trail cooler, the Pelican features orange wheel rims and also has orange clasp accents. You can get this cooler in three colors, Tan which is featured here, as well as graphite and white. The other two colors will have different rims and accents, so if you don’t love the orange you have options. My own personal beverage drama every summer has really pushed ozark trail canopy me to do this review. To me, worrying about the temperature of the drinks I have on my boat is the absolute last thing I want to be thinking about when I am heading out on the water.

One downside was that I did experience a manufacturing defect — the sterner strap kept sliding out from the top, which was frustrating to say the least. But overall, I highly recommend this backpack for its versatility and style. It’s a perfect companion for any outdoor excursion, whether as a carry-on for travel, a hike, or a bike trip.

After some research we realized they make backpacks designed for women, men and unisex. Because of her small frame we had her fitted for a woman’s bag at REI and she ended up getting an REI 22-liter clearance bag. I was fitted for a 45-liter bag since I needed to carry camera equipment, extra socks, knee sleeves, and extra supplies my wife didn’t need to deal with. Yeti has clearly set themselves apart as the biggest player in the cooler space. Since they launched, they have carved out an incredible market share delivering products across the board from coolers to dog bowls.