Trace Creek Section – Ozark Trail

The Ozark Trail is part of a 25 year old vision to build a scenic and varied route through the Missouri Ozarks southwestward, eventually connecting to the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas. The Ozark Trails provides a recreational opportunity that can be enjoyed by individuals and families. It can be used for long distance backpacking, weekend trips, day hikes or half hour strolls. It combines clear Ozark streams, dry granite barrens, panoramic mountaintop views, and deep Ozark forests.

The 24 mile Trace Creek Section of the Ozark Trail is located in Iron and Washington Counties. Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use is permitted. This section of the Ozark Trail includes a portion of the old Trace Creek Trail which was constructed in 1968 and a newer six mile segment constructed in 1983.

The trail’s northern entry point is located at Hazel Creek Campground. From that point, it proceeds south following a continually changing landscape that leads users through dense oak, hickory and pine forests, shaded hollows, and across windswept ridge tops. It crosses several small tributaries and Hazel Creek, which is a major permanently flowing creek. It also crosses several state highways including C, DD, and 32 before ending at Highway A. Trail users should exercise caution at these streams and highway crossings. A spur trail can be found near the sections midpoint that leads to the 12 mile Council Bluff loop trail. This Ozark Trail section connects to the Courtois Section to the north and to the Taum Sauk Section to the south.