Mark Twain National Forest

Ridge Runner Trail

The Ridge Runner Trail, a National Recreation Trail, is 22 miles long and extends from Noblett Lake in the north to the North Fork Recreation Area in the south. The trail leads you through a part of the Missouri Ozarks known for its beauty and limestone karst topography. The landscape varies from gently rolling to very steep terrain with rock outcrops and bluffs. Vegetation along the trail is diverse and includes oak-hickory, short leaf pine, and bottomland forests. Remnant prairie plants can be seen, a reminder of a time when repeated wildfire burned the Ozarks allowing fingers of prairie to extend into the woods.

Area Attractions:

Trail: The northern trailhead of the Ridge Runner Trail begins near Sugar Hill Campground in Noblett Recreation Area. The trail goes around the campground, through Clearwater Picnic Area, and around the 27-acre Noblett Lake in an 8-mile loop or the moderately rated main trail heads 22 miles south to North Fork Recreation Area. The trail does not have bridges – plan for wading across the streams, and be especially careful during high water.  Practice "leave no trace" techniques while traveling.  Click here for a printable brochure.

Use: Foot travel, horseback, mountain bike.
Distance: 30 miles
Rating: Moderate

Facilities: There is no drinking water on the trail.  Carry your own water and/or treat water from the many springs or creeks. Bacteria levels can be high even in springs, so don’t drink untreated water. Drinking water is usually available at the North Fork and Noblett Recreation Areas from April 15 through October 15.  Carry out all trash.

Nearby Sites: Noblett Lake Recreation Area, North Fork Recreation Area, Devils Backbone Wilderness, Blue Buck Knob National Scenic Byway. 

How to get here:

From Willow Springs, MO, take Hwy 76 west 12 miles to Hwy 181. Take Hwy 181 south to Hwy AP; go south on AP for 3 miles to the Noblett Lake Recreation Area.  OR, from West Plains, MO take State Rt. CC west 16 miles to the North Fork Recreation Area.

Open All Year
Open all year, but spring, fall and mild winters are best, as summers can be sweltering, especially when hiking across south-facing slopes. A good map and compass are strongly suggested as new vegetation, leaf fall and vandalized or squirrel damaged grey trail markers can leave the traveler confused or lost.