The Ozark Trail - Courtois Section

Courtois Section

Introduction

This 48-mile section has perhaps more trip options than any other part of the trail. You can enjoy a short walk along the Courtois Creek, a vigorous mountain bike challenge on the Berryman Loop or down to Hazel Creek, a sunset horseback ride to the Huzzah Creek bluffs, a long backpacking trip or even a hike-and-float adventure that combines a 12 1/2 mile hike with a canoe trip back to your car! Please note: The Ozark Trail through the Huzzah Conservation Area is foot-only: bicycles and horses are not allowed
to help protect wildlife.

Downloads: For Your GPS (gpx) Google Earth (kml)

Overview

This trail uses the western half of the Berryman loop trail, adds a 12-mile section to the south to reach the Trace Creek Trail, and connects to the North into the trail at Huzzah Conservation Area. The trail south of the Courtois to Butts road is rocky along the creek, then follows a double-track road to the edge of Huzzah CA land.

The new trail between Huzzah and Bass Resort and on to Harmon Spring was just completed in Spring 2010.

The trail from Harmon Spring to Hazel creek is in good shape and is very popular with mountain bikers and equestrians.

Current Trail Conditions

As of 01/21/2013, the condition is:
Open.

Overall this section is in nice shape. There may be a tree down here and there and some seasonal growth.

The new trail east of Bass' River Resort is now open. You still have a 1 mile of road to walk from the entrance to Bass', but after you cross the the low-water bridge stay to the right side of the road and look for the trail entrance, also on the right.

The Berryman portion of the trail was showing its age (70+ years!) and improvements and a renovation project have been completed. The sourthern, middle, northern, and Brazil Creek reroutes were completed last year and getting some good use. The east side of Berryman has also had recent maintenance and is mostly clear except for a few trees here and there.

Courtois Creek in the Huzzah Conservation Area can be subject to flooding. Consider calling Bass' River Resort, 800-392-3700 or Ozark Outdoors, 800-888-0023 for a river update. Portions of the trail in bottomlands or open areas can be weedy in the summer, especially near Harmon Spring.

Trail Statistics

Hiking

Biking

Equestrian

Distance:	48 miles
Difficulty:	Moderate
Camping:	Campgrounds: Huzzah Conservation, Berryman Camp & Hazel Creek. Camping within Huzzah Conservation Area is limited to their campground; Primitive camping is allowed in the Mark Twain forest (100' from trail)
Total Ascent:	4200' N-to-S; 4000' S-to-N (refers to total gain of all climbs on trail)
Topo Quads:	Onondaga Cave, Huzzah, Berryman, Courtois
Restrictions:	Only foot traffic is allowed within Huzzah Conservation Area.

Trailheads and Directions

Little St Louis Campround

From I-44, exit 214 (Leasburg)...
Head south on MO-H 7.5 mi.
Pass through Onondaga State Park and cross the Meramec River.
Continue on Cave Rd. for another 2.7 mi.
Turn left towards the campground and follow around to Courtois Creek.

From Steelville, MO...
From the junction of MO-19 / MO-8, head east on MO-8 for 5.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-E and follow for 5.8 mi.
Cross the low water bridge and continue for another .5 mi on Cave Rd.
Turn right towards the campground and follow around to Courtois Creek.

From Potosi, MO...
From the junction of MO-21 / MO-8, head west on MO-8 for 31.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-E and follow for 5.8 mi.
Cross the low water bridge and continue for another .5 mi on Cave Rd.
Turn right towards the campground and follow around to Courtois Creek.

Onondaga Trailhead

From I-44, exit 214 (Leasburg)...
Head south on MO-H 7.5 mi.
Pass through Onondaga State Park and cross the Meramec River.
The official trailhead and small parking area is on the left.

From Steelville, MO...
From the junction of MO-19 / MO-8, head east on MO-8 for 5.4 mi.
Turn left at MO-E and follow for 5.8 mi.
Cross the low water bridge and continue for another 3.2 mi on Cave Rd.
The official trailhead and small parking area is on the right just before the Meramec River.

From Potosi, MO...
From the junction of MO-21 / MO-8, head west on MO-8 for 31.1 mi.
Turn right at MO-E and follow for 5.8 mi.
Cross the low water bridge and continue for another 3.2 mi on Cave Rd.
The official trailhead and small parking area is on the right just before the Meramec River.

Lower Narrows Trailhead

From Potosi, MO...
Head west on MO-8 for 26.6 mi.
At the Bass River Resort sign / Butts Rd., turn right and follow for .5 mi.
Turn left on Lower Narrows Rd and follow for about 2 mi.
At Barn Rd, keep to the right. At the entrance to River Oaks Ranch, turn left. Look for the trailhead and kiosk on the left.
From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 10 mi.
At the Bass River Resort sign / Butts Rd., turn left and follow for .5 mi.
Turn left on Lower Narrows Rd and follow for about 2 mi.
At Barn Rd, keep to the right. At the entrance to River Oaks Ranch, turn left. Look for the trailhead and kiosk on the left.

Bass River Resort

From Potosi, MO...
Head west on MO-8 for 26.6 mi.
At the Bass River Resort sign / Butts Rd., turn right and follow for 1.6 mi.
You will need to check in at Bass Resort to use this location for parking and a trailhead.

From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 10 mi.
At the Bass River Resort sign / Butts Rd., turn left and follow for 1.6 mi.
You will need to check in at Bass Resort to use this location for parking and a trailhead.

Harmon Spring Trailhead

From Potosi, MO...
Head west on MO-8 for 17 mi.
Turn right toward Berryman Campground on CR-207. and follow for 4.0 mi.
At the Y intersection, keep left and continue on for 2 mi.
At the intersection with MO-W, turn left on Berryman Trail Rd. / CR-205 for 1.5 mi.
Turn right on to a little USFS Rd. 2901 and follow to a parking area just south of the trail.

From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 10 mi.
At the Bass River Resort sign / Butts Rd., turn left and follow for 1.6 mi.
At Bass Resort, keep to the right and continue on Butts Rd. for .8 mi.
Keep to the right and continue on Berryman Trail Rd. / CR-205 for 5.8 mi.
Turn left on to a little USFS Rd. 2901 and follow to a parking area just south of the trail.

Brazil Creek Campground

From Potosi, MO...
Head west on MO-8 for 17 mi.
Turn right toward Berryman Campground on CR-207. and follow for 4.0 mi.
At the Y intersection, keep left and continue on for 2 mi.
At the intersection with Hwy W (paved), turn right on Hwy W and follow for 1.1 mi. to trailhead and parking.

From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 10 mi.
At the Bass River Resort sign / Butts Rd., turn left and follow for 1.6 mi.
At Bass Resort, keep to the right and continue on Butts Rd. for .8 mi.
Keep to the right and continue on Berryman Trail Rd. / CR-205 for 7.4 mi.
At the intersection with Hwy W (paved), continue on Hwy W and follow for 1.1 mi. to trailhead and parking on left.

From Bourbon, MO...
From I-44, exit 218, head south through Bourbon to Hwy N.
Continue on Hwy N for 12.1 mi.
Turn right on Hwy W and follow for 7.6 mi. to trailhead and parking on the right.

Berryman Campground

From Potosi, MO...
Head west on MO-8 for 17.3 mi.
Turn right on Berryman Rd. and follow for 1.2 mi.
Turn left into Berryman Campground.

From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 19.3 mi.
Turn left on Berryman Rd. and follow for 1.2 mi.
Turn left into Berryman Campground.

Highway 8 Trailhead

From Potosi, MO...
Head west on MO-8 for 18.2 mi.
The trailhead and parking is on the right north of Hwy 8.

From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 18.4 mi.
The trailhead and parking is on the left north of Hwy 8.

Hazel Creek Campground

From Potosi, MO...
Starting at MO-8 / MO-21, head west on MO-8 .2 mi.
Turn left on MO-P and follow for 14.1 mi.
Turn right on MO-C and follow for 4.1 mi.
Turn right on MO-Z and follow for 2.1 mi. Continue on past the Palmer Cemetery another .9 mi.
Turn left and continue .2 mi to the trailhead and campground.

From Steelville, MO...
Head east on MO-8 for 15.4 mi.
Turn right at MO-Y and follow for 7.8 mi.
Turn left on CR-657 / Brazil Rd. and follow for 5.4 mi.Turn right and continue .2 mi to the trailhead and campground.

From Bixby, MO...
Head north on MO-49 4.7 mi.
Turn right at MO-Y and follow for 4.6 mi.
Turn right on MO-C / MO-Y and follow for .2 mi.
Turn left on MO-Y and follow for 5.3 mi
Turn right on CR-657 / Brazil Rd. and follow for 5.4 mi.Turn right and continue .2 mi to the trailhead and campground.

From Ironton, MO...
Head northwest on MO-21 for 3.6 mi.
Turn left to stay on MO-21 and continue for 11.9 mi.
Turn left at MO-C and follow for 11.8 mi.
Turn right on MO-Z and follow for 2.1 mi. Continue on past the Palmer Cemetery another .9 mi.
Turn left and continue .2 mi to the trailhead and campground.

Maps

Courtois
TT Miles 0 to 14