Middle Fork Section

The newest section of the Ozark Trail was completed in November of 2005.  It connects with the Trace Creek section just northeast of Highway 32 and runs about 24 miles to the Karkaghne section at Highway J.

Overview

This trail crosses many brooks and streams in the upper basin of the Middle Fork of the Black River: Neals Creek, Strother Creek, Henderson Creek, Little Creek, Brooks Creek, as well as the headwaters of the Middle Fork.  The trail passes near fens, seeps, and small springs-- you won't run out of water here!

In between the many water crossings the trail travels over and around the many fingered ridges found in this area of the Ozarks.  You'll pass through oak and hickory hardwoods, short-leaf pine stands, and small savannahs.

The northern trailhead is at Highway DD.  A 200' gravel path connects to the main trail.  The Middle Fork section continues 1.5 miles north before connecting with the Trace Creek section.  If you're just planning a trip on the Middle Fork, you'll go south from the DD trailhead to the Highway J trailhead, a distance of about 23 miles.

Bike/Horse Bypass Around Barton Fen

Southeast of Bixby, Missouri on County Road 79 is a sensitive wetland known as Barton Fen.  The endangered Hines Emerald dragonfly breeds and lives in Barton Fen, and special care was taken when building the trail through this area to insure our trail users don't pose any habitat threats.

A foot-only trail has been built on the southwest side of the fen.  Bicycle and equestrian traffic bypass the fen area by taking County Road 79 for about a mile.  Be sure to follow the marked signs to insure you're taking the correct route through this area.

Directions

There are two official trailheads on the Middle Fork section:

• Highway DD Trailhead- This is just south of the Council Bluff Recreational Area, on the east side of Highway DD just north of Highway 32.  From Highway 32 & 21, take Highway 32 west for about 15-18 miles, then go north on Highway DD for 100-200 yards to the trailhead.
• Highway J Trailhead- From the town of Bixby (which is about 10 miles west of the Highway DD trailhead), take Highway 32 west for 2.25 miles, then south on Highway KK for 7-8 miles to Highway J.  Take Highway J east for about 3 3/4 miles to the trailhead access (about 3/4 of a mile past County Road 836 at Oates).  Turn south on the gravel road at the "Ozark Trail Parking" sign and continue to a small bend in the gravel road, then pull straight ahead next to the red gate. This is a small 2-3 vehicle parking area on a private-property easement. The gate is used very often, so please don't block access.
• Barton Fen (unofficial)- From Highway 32 at Bixby, take County Road 79 (across from Bixby store) south to CR-78 and make a right. There is parking on the right side of the road just before the low-water bridge. The trail can be found about 100' on the other side of the low-water bridge.