Mark Twain National Forest offers a wide spectrum of recreation opportunities to Forest visitors, including motorized trail riding. The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs (ACW) Ranger District provides the public with access to off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding opportunities along the Chadwick Motorized Trail System. Projects to improve this popular OHV trail system and the nearby Cobb Ridge Campground are in the works. New shower buildings will be installed to replace the old ones within the next two years. Trail maintenance will occur more frequently, thanks to a new service contract being put in place. A new, automated fee machine is planned to be placed in the Cobb Ridge Campground, as early as next year. The fee machine will have the ability to issue the daily and annual OHV permits, as well as campground site fees. more

Chadwick School’s kindergarten students took a trip to Marie Day’s farm last Wednesday to cut down a Christmas tree for their classroom. more

Increases in maintenance costs over the past 15 years have led to the need for the USDA Forest Service to adjust fees at Mark Twain National Forest’s developed recreation sites. New and increased fees will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Over time, this will also help in making improvements at multiple recreation sites in line with the Forest’s recreation strategic plan. A vast majority of the Forest is free for visitors to access and enjoy, but fees are needed to maintain the sites that offer amenities — things like fire rings, trash service, potable water, electricity, paved parking and more. more

On Monday, Oct. 2, Governor Mike Parson announced a total of 566 school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools have received grant funds from the second round of funding for the School Safety Grant Program. more

The heat of summer has broken, making way for cooler temperatures and more outdoor exploration for many areas of Mark Twain National Forest, including the Chadwick Off-Highway-Vehicle (OHV) Riding Area. The Chadwick OHV Riding Area has more than 70 miles of trails to explore. Motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs less than 50 inches in width can ride the trails with Forest Service OHV permits and as long as the vehicles are safe to operate and the drivers understand the rules of trail riding. more

Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area is one of two motorized trail systems in Mark Twain National Forest (Forest). Located on the Ava Unit of the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs (ACW) Ranger District, this network of trails gives Forest visitors a place to ride and enjoy their ATVs, UTVs and off-road motorcycles. The only thing the Forest Service requires is for visitors to purchase the proper riding permit. Unfortunately, several factors have created a bottleneck in pass sales. ACW Ranger District employees recognize this and are working to fix this issue. more

Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area is one of two motorized trail systems in Mark Twain National Forest (Forest). Located about 35 miles to the southeast of Springfield, this network of trails provides Forest visitors a place to ride their ATVs, UTVs and off-road motorcycles. A Chadwick Recreation Area project is being proposed to make multiple improvements to this trail system. Public feedback is encouraged and an open house to learn more will be held May 13 in Sparta. Specifically, the project proposes the following actions: more