The Mark Twain National Forest, created in the 1930s, is comprised of several segments totaling 1.5 million acres and spead across southern and central Missouri. The Berryman Trail, about 1.5 hours southwest of St. Louis, is a 24 mile loop, the western and southern legs being designated as part of the Ozark Trail which eventually will run over 500 miles from St. Louis into Arkansas and will connect with the existing Ozark Highlands Trail. The trail offers few vistas, meandering through the forest canopy through hollows, bottoms, and up over ridges. "Leaf-off" conditions in early spring, winter, and late fall allow for longer sightlines. The absence of bugs and heat are additional plusses during these seasons. Designed for horse travel, the trail utilizes switchbacks and has no steep climbs. Mountain bikers also are making frequent use of the trail. Motorized travel is not allowed.
Camping is allowed anywhere off the trail, but only 3 reliable water
sources exist. Parking is available at the National Forest's Berryman Campground,
an old Civilian Conservation Corps site on Forest Road 2266, off of Highway
8 between Potosi and Steelville. There are 8 camping sites here and 3 picnic
sites. 5.5 miles clockwise along the Berryman Trail is an artesian well
at the Edward Beecher Camp, an open clearing with a small creek nearby.
At the 9.8 mile mark there is an old dilapidated campground called Harmon
Spring Camp. The remains of old campsites are visible, but it was not an
inviting place. A concrete base for a 2-seater outhouse has no walls, but
2 vandalized stools still stand over the holes. A stock pond is available
and also a spring, which I never looked for. If you want to make the entire
circuit in a pair of 9 mile days instead of three days, you could leave
the trail on Forest Road 2265 which leads to Hwy. W, and in less than a
mile arrive at the Forest Service's Brazil (pronounced BRA-zil with the
emphasis on the first syllable and a short "a" sound) Creek Campground.
There are 8 camp sites here and room for a few cars to park. Water is available
from the creek. Crossing the creek on the highway bridge eliminates what
could be a tricky creek crossing. From here, it is 9.2 miles without dependable
water sources to return to Berryman Camp and finish the loop.
INFO:
Mark Twain National Forest
Potosi District
Hwy. 8 West
P. O. Box 188
Potosi, MO 63664
(314) 438-5427
Forest Supervisor
Mark Twain National Forest
401 Fairgrounds Road
Rolla, MO 65401
(314) 364-4621
Danny's Missouri Backpacking & Hiking Trails Review