Ozark Trail Association

Fri - 04/19- Spring Mega Prep -- Sutton Bluff-
2024-04-19 | Sutton Bluff
Fri – 04/19 – Spring Mega Prep – Sutton Bluff or Council Bluff Campground — TBD- Karkahgne GAOA tread rehab day
We’re still finalizing details — more info to come

Sa 04/20- Spring Mega - Sutton Bluff- Karkahgne
2024-04-20 08:00 - 2024-04-21 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Sutton Bluff
Sa 04/20-21 – Spring Mega. — Sutton Bluff – Karkahgne GAOA tread rehab day
We’re heading to the MTNF Sutton Bluff campground on the Black River to give some loving to the Karkahgne section of the Ozark Trail. Free camping with availability to water and we have restrooms. Plan on arriving Friday night and stay the weekend.
The OTA will be providing dinner on Saturday evening after a day out on the trail along with a fun as always raffle and an awesome bonfire so be to bring those camp chairs’. The OTA will provide safety equipment and tools.
What to bring: An awesome attitude, camping gear, food for meals not provided, backpack for carrying your water, snacks, lunch, any items you would need, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Plan your clothing needs by layers, the weather can be persnicketie. Pets are welcome but must be leashed within the campground and on the trail.
This will be our 51st MEGA of our 21st year of being the OTA so come join us for a fun weekend. Any questions, don’t hesitate to reach us at admin@ozarktrail.com See you soon!

Fri 04/26-28- OTA-LAD Blair Creek Day CANCELLED
2024-04-26 - 2024-04-28 | Winona USFS Facility, Winona, MO
Fri 04/26-28 – OTA-LAD Blair Creek Day
We’ll join up with the LAD Foundation for some TLC on the Blair Creek Section
Tentative plans are for camping at Powder Mill and lodging at the USFS Winona facilities.
More details to come

Ozark Trail Association Q2 2024 Board of Directors Meeting - Saturday, April 27, 2024
2024-04-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The Q2 meeting of the directors of the Ozark Trail Association will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 9:00 A.M., via Zoom for the purpose of electing board directors and officers, reviewing the prior year’s business, discussing corporate operations for the upcoming year, and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
NOTICE: The Ozark Trail Association is not affiliated in any way with the manufacture, distribution, sale, or promotion of Ozark Trail branded outdoor merchandise from any source. All enquiries regarding Ozark Trail-branded gear will be discarded without action as we cannot help you.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86073332579?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 860 7333 2579
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Fr 05/03-04 CANCELLED- Maint Out There– Round Springs
2024-05-03 - 2024-05-05 | Round Spring Campground, Eminence, MO, United States
Fr 05/03-04 – Maint Out There– Round Springs – Tentative
more to come

Celebrating the History of Current River @Cedar Grove
2024-05-11 | Big Rock Candy Mountain, 36225 Big Rock Candy Mountain, Jadwin, MO, 65501, United States
We are heading to the river, Current River that is at Cedar Grove at Big Rock Candy Mountain CG as we celebrate the history surrounding the area. We are joining the Ozark Riverways Foundation where OTA Volunteers will have a table to add to a wonderful day of living history crafts, music and historical information. The evening includes a live concert by National Park Radio who is loved by so many and has a large following across the USA. Tickets are $20 for the concert. Camping is available by calling BRCM to reserve a spot or you can choose to camp at other available campgrounds in the area. Would love to have you join us at the OTA table sharing information about the Ozark Trail and the OTA.
See you at the River!

Ozark Trail Association Monthly Business Meeting - Tuesday, May 14, 2024
2024-05-14 07:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
You are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the volunteers who run the Ozark Trail Association.
No need to register.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/92216037029?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 922 1603 7029
Passcode: [REDACTED]
NOTICE: The Ozark Trail Association is not affiliated in any way with the manufacture, distribution, sale, or promotion of Ozark Trail branded outdoor merchandise from any source. All enquiries regarding Ozark Trail branded gear will be discarded without action as we cannot help you.

2024 OT Hike and Float Challenge
2024-05-17 - 2024-05-19 | Round Spring Campground, Eminence, MO, United States
Take the Challenge! Join the Fun!
This year we’ll double the fun by doubling the length of our float!
Join your fellow trail enthusiasts that have taken the challenge to raise funds for the OTA! You can fund-raise as an individual, or better yet, grab a friend or two and register as a team!
Commit to raising money for the OTA and register at: https://charity.pledgeit.org/2024OTHikeAndFloat.
Fundraising is easy: just ask your friends, your family, your family’s friends, your friends’ families, your Facebook friends, really, just anyone, to support you while you support the OTA. Your goal is to raise $1,000 for the OTA, and with our platform, it’s a snap. With 20 friends donating $50 each, you’ve done it!
That’s the challenge. Then we’ll celebrate your fundraising efforts by hiking the Ozark Trail and floating the Current River. We’ll hike from Round Spring Campground to Current River State Park, then shuttle to Pulltite to float 9 miles back to Round Spring Campground.
Sometime in there, we’ll run the Real Hikers Wear Kilts race to win the coveted RHWK trophy!
As in the past two years, we’ll base out of Round Spring Campground near Eminence, MO. We’ll provide tent camping spots for Friday and Saturday nights, your kayak for the Saturday float, and meals Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast.
If you have any questions, just shoot an email to otchallengehike@ozarktrail.com.
Register at: https://charity.pledgeit.org/2024OTHikeAndFloat.

Sat May 18 - CANCELLED - Wappapello Maintenance Day
2024-05-18 | Ozark Trail Wappapello Section, Greenville, MO, 63944, United States
Saturday, May 18 – We will meet at 8:30am on Saturday morning for a day of work on the Wappapello section. The most likely need will be lopping and weed-eating, but there is no shortage of tread to rehab. As the event approaches, we will assess the best work opportunity and plan accordingly.
This is a single work day event; no camping is planned.
We will send out information via email one week before the event regarding the meeting location and the work planned for the day.
What to bring: Bring a lunch any snacks you may need and at least two liters of water. As with any work on the OT, you need to wear sturdy boots, long pants, dress in layers (plan for weather), and bring a backpack to carry your lunch and water on the trail. You will be carrying tools on the trail, so you need to have gloves; the OTA will provide gloves and safety glasses if needed.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

National Trails Day at Current River SP
2024-06-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Current River State Park, Hwy 19, Salem, MO
Whooohooo! Let’s head to our most memorable place ever…Current River SP is located on the Current River, a National Scenic River. We will be staying at the old Alton Box Resort in the historic building that has housed many a person who have immersed themselves in this area of the Ozarks. Housing is first come but camping will be available. Come for the day or stay a day or two giving back to a trail we are passionate about. We will have a day of trail maintenance and then return to CRSP for dinner and more fun with a raffle, fellowship and as always blazing bonfire under a star filled filled sky!
You will need to be prepared for the weather, bring your camping gear and a kindred spirit!

Sat June 8 - CANCELLED - Victory Maintenance Day
2024-06-08 | Ozark Trail Victory Secton, Williamsville, MO, 63967, United States
Saturday, June 8 – We will meet at 8:30am on Saturday morning for a day of work on the Victory section. The most likely need will be lopping, weed-eating, and sawing, but there could be some tread to rehab. As the event approaches, we will assess the best work opportunity and plan accordingly.
This is a single work day event; no camping is planned.
We will send out information via email one week before the event regarding the meeting location and the work planned for the day.
What to bring: Bring a lunch any snacks you may need and at least two liters of water. As with any work on the OT, you need to wear sturdy boots, long pants, dress in layers (plan for weather), and bring a backpack to carry your lunch and water on the trail. You will be carrying tools on the trail, so you need to have gloves; the OTA will provide gloves and safety glasses if needed.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Cancelled - Ozark Trail Association Monthly Business Meeting - Tuesday, June 11, 2024
2024-06-11 07:00 - 21:00 | Zoom

Cancelled - Ozark Trail Association Monthly Business Meeting - Tuesday, July 9, 2024
2024-07-09 07:00 - 21:00 | Zoom

August 3rd, 2024 -- CANCELED -- OTA -- PREP -- 3 Legged Monster Race -- Bass River Resort
2024-08-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Bass’ River Resort, 204 Butts Road, Steelville, MO, 65565, United States
August 3rd, 2024 — OTA — PREP — 3 Legged Monster Race — Bass River Resort
CANCELED — C&M Char is exhausted.. but we’ll hit hard over the next 2 weeks
9 am — Meetup at Bass River Resort Main parking lot to go out and prep the course
We’ll disperse in teams to weed eat and clear the course.

Bring a lunch and at least 2 liters of water ( fluids to your needs), sturdy work shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
It will be hot but it’s also tick season so long pants are the choice of the day especially if you are weed eating, lopping or are part
of a sawyer team. We’ll car pool to the various work locations. We should be done by 2:30-3pm and will meet back at the
main parking lot for cold refreshments and wrapup

August 10th, 2024 -- OTA -- CANCELED -- PREP -- 3 Legged Monster Race -- Bass River Resort
2024-08-10 | Bass’ River Resort, 204 Butts Road, Steelville, MO, 65565, United States
August 10th, 2024 — OTA — PREP — 3 Legged Monster Race — Bass River Resort
CANCELED
9 am — Meetup at Bass River Resort Main parking lot to go out and prep the course
We’ll disperse in teams to weed eat and clear the course.

Bring a lunch and at least 2 liters of water ( fluids to your needs), sturdy work shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
It will be hot but it’s also tick season so long pants are the choice of the day especially if you are weed eating, lopping or are part
of a sawyer team. We’ll car pool to the various work locations. We should be done by 2:30-3pm and will meet back at the
main parking lot for cold refreshments and wrapup

Q3 2024 Ozark Trail Association Board of Directors Meeting - Saturday, August 10, 2024
2024-08-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
The Q3 meeting of the directors of the Ozark Trail Association will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 9:00 A.M., via Zoom for the purpose of reviewing the current year’s business and discussing corporate operations for the upcoming year, and for the transaction of any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81062848910?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 810 6284 8910
Passcode: [REDACTED]

NOTICE: The Ozark Trail Association is not affiliated in any way with the manufacture, distribution, sale, or promotion of Ozark Trail branded outdoor merchandise from any source. All enquiries regarding Ozark Trail-branded gear will be discarded without action as we cannot help you.

CANCELLED - Ozark Trail Association Monthly Business Meeting - Tuesday, August 13, 2024
2024-08-13 07:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
You are invited to attend the monthly meeting of the volunteers who run the Ozark Trail Association.
No need to register.

NOTICE: The Ozark Trail Association is not affiliated in any way with the manufacture, distribution, sale, or promotion of Ozark Trail branded outdoor merchandise from any source. All enquiries regarding Ozark Trail branded gear will be discarded without action as we cannot help you.

August 17th, 2024 -- OTA -- 3 Legged Monster Race -- Bass River Resort
2024-08-16 08:00 - 2024-08-18 17:00 | Bass’ River Resort, 204 Butts Road, Steelville, MO, 65565, United States
August 17th, 2024 — OTA — 3 Legged Monster Race — Bass River Resort

Join The Ozark Trail Association for one of the most fun events Running, Biking and Floating on and along the Ozark Trail.
We base out of Bass River Resort and Ozark Outdoors for a fun filled day of adventure.

Signup here to enter

https://www.ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=110476

Sept 9th, 2024-- Alpine Shop -- OTA Pint Night 6-8 pm
2024-09-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Alpine Shop, 440 N Kirkwood, Kirkwood, MO, 63122, United States
Sept 9th, 2024– Alpine Shop — OTA Pint Night 6-8 pm
It’s Back!!! — Join the Ozark Trail Association for a fun filled evening at the
Alpine Shop for an ALL Pint Night. All funds go to the Ozark Trail Association to help
support the Ozark Trail
Signup here to volunteer

Alpineshop.com
440 North Kirkwood Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122-3912

Ozark Trail Association Monthly Business Meeting - Tuesday, September 10, 2024
2024-09-10 07:00 - 21:00 | Zoom

Sept 12-13 -Trail Maintenance on the Middle Fork
2024-09-12 09:00 - 2024-09-13 16:00 | Hwy DD/32 Trail head, Hwy DD/32, Belleview, MO, 63623, United States
The event date has changed — The actual event has been moved to Sept 14 from Sept 21, 2024 — so we will do some prep a couple days prior in case we haven’t got it all done.
Sept 12-13th, 2024– One Eyed Dog MTB Race PREP — Council Bluff Lake
We’ll meetup at the DD/Hwy 32 Trail Head parking lot at 9am. We’ll have tools, weed eaters, chainsaws , blowers and loppers to put the finishing touches on the course for race day.
Wear sturdy work shoes ( preferably hiking boots) , long pants and weather appropriate shirt. Bring a lunch and at least 2 liters of water. We’ll also have cold beverages for the end of the day.
We’ll disperse to various locations on the course to finish prepping for the race

One Eyed Dog 100/50/24/12 MTB Race -- Council Bluff Lake
2024-09-14 | Council Bluff Lake Campground
Note — the date of the event has been changed from Sept 21 to Sept 14th, 2024.
Sept 14th, 2024– One Eyed Dog 100/50/24/12 MTB Race — Council Bluff Lake
100/50/24/12 miles of the best MTB single track to be found!
It’s rough, rugged and up to you to win the race!!!
Pick your distance and classification and go for it!!!
Spend the weekend or the day. The event runs from 6am- 12 am Saturday

To sign up to participate in the race as a rider … go here
https://www.bikereg.com/the-ozarks-one-eyed-dog-50100

To volunteer for the event aid station or other needs during the day just
signup on this page

CANCELLED - Sep 14 - Lopping Taum Sauk
2024-09-14 08:00 - 17:00 | Taum Sauk Mtn, Middlebrook, MO, 63650, United States
This event is cancelled due to weather.
Much of the Taum Sauk section between Taum Sauk Mountain and Johnson Shut-ins is badly grown in, especially toward the midpoint. The trail needs serious lopping. This is the route of the Devil’s Toll Race on October 5th.
The trail is rugged, and the hiking required for this event will be more challenging than most. We will be hiking in from Taum Sauk Mountain at least 4 miles, and of course we must hike back out. Hiking out will involve 700 feet of ascent, some of it quite steep.

Upper Current Trail Maintenance/Cystic Fibrosis Extreme Hike
2024-09-18 15:00 - 2024-09-21 17:00 | Hwy 19 FIre Tower, Hwy 19, Eminence, MO, United States
Maintenance on Thursday and Friday. Aid Station assistance on Saturday.
The OTA is providing extra help this year for the Cystic Fibrosis Extreme Hike. We will be doing trail maintenance on Thursday and Friday before the event on Saturday, September 21. This event has raised millions of dollars across the nation in support of this deadly and debilitating disease. Some of the CFE hike will traverse a part of the Upper Current River Section of the Ozark Trail so we will be performing any last minute trail prep and then assist with aide stations on the day of the hike.
OTA Volunteers will be utilizing the Hwy 19 Fire tower just south of Current River SP which has bunk rooms enough to house up to 12. Volunteers can come down Wednesday afternoon as early as 3 pm and stay over. You will need to bring bedding, personal items, and extra food. We will have a dinner on Thursday and Friday night along with a light breakfast Saturday morning. Some extra food will be provided.
If you just come down for the CF Hike only, you will have to arrive around 4:00 am at Echo Bluff so you can be in position at one of the aid stations before the race starts and help with set up. We’ll leave from Echo Bluff before the race start at 4:30 so we can be in position at the aid stations before the participants pass through. Depending on how many stay over on Saturday, we may have a BBQ at the Fire Tower housing.
As always, bring a backpack, water, snacks, wear sturdy footwear, long pants and dress in seasonal clothing. Also bring a headlamp, camp chair, and rain gear.as there is a short hike to the aid stations on Saturday. Pack seasonal clothing — we don’t have long hikes to the aide stations but you should wear sturdy hiking shoes/boots to be safe.
Any questions — contact Kathie at 573-382-8270 or respond to the email you will receive around Sept. 17th.let
The OTA is providing assistance to aide stations positioned on the Upper Current Rive section — map of the section shown below.
https://www.nps.gov/ozar/current-river-challenge.htm

CANCELED due to WEATHER -- Let's Build some new Trail in Carondelet Park St. Louis
2024-09-28 08:00 - 14:00 | Carondelet Park, 3900 Holly Hills Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63116, United States
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, the OTA will be partnering with the Friends of Carondelet Park, GORC and a plethora of Volunteers to assist in building a new trail within this urban park, We will be meeting at 8:30 am for check in and assignments.
Please dress for trail work with heavy boots/shoes, long pants, layer for the weather, bring a backpack with water, snacks anything to make your day amazing. Tools will be provided along with safety glasses and golves. Contact Kathie Brennan at 573-382-8270 for any questions.

Devil's Toll Race - Taum Sauk SP to Johnsons Shut Ins
2024-10-05 | Taum Sauk Mtn – Devils Toll Race
This has become one of the must do events on the Ozark Trail. All proceeds help fund the Ozark Trail Association to maintain the Ozark Trail. If you want to cheer on your family and friends, Volunteers are needed at the finish line to help with food preparation and timing.
The Devil’s Toll Gate Race is a 13-mile dual discipline event across one of the most scenic and rugged landscapes Missouri’s Ozark Trail has to offer. The event traverses from the highest point in Missouri, Taum Sauk Mountain down past the beautiful Mina Sauk Falls and thru the rock formation known as the Devils’ Toll Gate before again climbing over and around Profit and Wildcat Mountains with a tricky descent past the famous Scour of Taum Sauk reservoir, finishing with an amazing Black river crossing at Johnson Shut-ins State Park.
What makes this more intriguing is the team-style concept! This event will have 2 options: Participants can opt for the running version or the hiking version. The event will be capped at 300 participants.
Runners prepare to engage in a rough and rugged portion of Ozark Trail where 1,400’ of elevation over 13ish miles may seem like a cake walk, but fear not there is enough rock to keep you rolling, enough hills to keep you panting, a few turns to keep you thinking and when rhythm comes to your stride prepare to lose it again as the rocky and technical terrain will let you know that won’t be happening often!
Hikers prepare once again for a gorgeous hike with some of the most amazing vistas, history and flora/fauna galore. We take you thru the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in an attempt to really put you “out there”. Participants will be greeted with a cookout BBQ at the Pavilion with food prepared by OTA’s own Chef Jeff.
There is limited cell service in this region. On-course communications will be spotty at best. Group camping will be available at the JSISP campground just a mile away from the Visitor Center’s main parking lot where the shuttle to take participants will be early Saturday morning.
A rain date may be looked at should extreme weather cause the event to be postponed, BUT is highly unlikely
To enter as a participant — go here: https://www.ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=113038
To volunteer — just signup on this OTA event page

Ozark Trail Association Monthly Business Meeting - Tuesday, October 8, 2024
2024-10-08 07:00 - 21:00 | Zoom

Fall MEGA Prep at Sutton Buff Campground
2024-10-11 | Sutton Bluff Campground, 7378 County Rd 849, Centerville, MO, 63633
Oct 11 – OTA Fall Mega Prep — Sutton Buff Campground
Come out and help get ready for the 2024 OTA Fall Mega at Sutton Bluff
We’ll meetup at the pavilion at the entrance to Sutton Bluff at 9:00 am.
We’ll cache tools at the worksite and get everything ready to go for
Saturday’s work day.
Please bring a lunch and at least 2 liters of water. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and weather appropriate clothes.
The OTA will provide all equipment and tools as well as well safety PPE ( helmets, glasses and gloves).

information on Sutton Bluff Camground — https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232419

Annual Fall Mega at Sutton Buff Campground
2024-10-11 08:00 - 2024-10-12 17:00 | MO
We are ready to celebrate the cooler temperatures and the Fall color across the Forest. Our Fall MEGA will be returning to the MTNF Sutton Bluff campground located along the Black River. Camping will be provided and there will be 2-3 camper/RV sites that you can reserve which will be first come. There will also be showers and restrooms available so be sure to bring your personal care items along with any camping equipment. You are welcome to arrive anytime Friday afternoon to be ready to get out on the trail Saturday which will be tread restoration on the Karkaghne section located neat by.
Information for the weekend:
Free camping at Sutton Bluff campground.
Friday: Registration will be open till 9 pm at the pavilion. We will be utilizing multiple campsites so everyone will be sharing sites.
Saturday: Registration will begin at 7 am at the Pavilion.
Crew Leader meeting at 7:59 am at the OTA truck. Welcome will be at 8:30 at the Pavilion where Volunteers can get their safety gear.
Volunteers will need to bring a backpack to carry your snacks, lunch and at least 2 liters of water. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and weather appropriate clothes. The OTA will provide all equipment and tools as well as well safety PPE ( helmets, glasses and gloves).
Also be sure to bring a camp chair, headlamp, cash(for the raffle) and any other items to make your weekend amazing. The day will be capped with the Traditional OTA dinner by Chef Jeff, Kathie’s raffle and of course an awesome bonfire.
Questions? – Contact Kathie at 573-382-8270 by texting. Also note Sutton Bluff campground has no c-phone service.
information on Sutton Bluff Campground — https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232419

Fall 'Whoopin it Up in Winona' Maintenance Event
2024-10-18 08:00 - 2024-10-23 17:00 | Winona USFS Facility, Winona, MO
18-23, 2024 – Fall Whoopin It Up In Winona
Join us in Winona for the fall southern section maintenance event. This is always am outstanding trail event for OTA Volunteers. We will continue cleaning up storm damage from the late Spring storms plus continuing tread restoration on the 11 PT, Between the Rivers and Current River Sections.
We’ll be based out of the USFS facilities in Winona. There is limited inside sleeping and will be first come basis but a huge yard to camp out in. You will need to bring your own bedding and personal care items. Several meals will be provided but please indicate which days you will be in attendance so that we can plan accordingly. we will plan on a potluck meal on Saturday night and a group breakfast on Sunday morning.
Please also bring a backpack, at least 2 liters of water. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots and weather-appropriate clothing. The OTA will provide all equipment and tools as well as well safety PPE ( helmets, glasses and gloves).
To get to the Winona MTNF facility, it is located on Hwy 19 inside the city limits of Winona. Look for the OTA signs.
Questions? Contact Kathie at 573-382-8270
