Chadwick Motorized Trails System

At a glance

Details

Type

National Forest OHV trail system

Ownership

public

Managed by

USDA Forest Service - Mark Twain National Forest, Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs RD

Location

Chadwick (about 4 mi SW of town), Christian Co. MO · Christian Co.

Address / directions

Ava-Cassville-Willow Springs RD, 1006 S. Jefferson, Ava MO, 417-683-4428; trailheads KC Pavilion, Oak Camp, Camp Ridge

Vehicles allowed

ATV, UTV and motorcycle (USFS); machines must be 50 in. or narrower. MVUM data agrees: ~57.5 mi open to ATV and motorcycle plus ~9.7 mi motorcycle-only; no over-50-in. class is open.

Width limit

50 in. maximum (USFS)

Difficulty (source wording)

Mostly moderate; all riders encounter advanced challenges (USFS)

Trail miles

~79-80 mi (USFS / Recreation.gov)

Fees & permits

OHV permit required per machine: $10 (1 day), $20 (2 days), $30 (3 days), $60 annual to Dec 31 of purchase year (USFS permit page). Buy a day pass on Recreation.gov (valid to sunset, per vehicle), at Casey's General Store, 7182 St Hwy 14 E, Sparta MO (417-278-3244), or at the Ava/Salem/Rolla USFS offices; annual permits at the Ava and Salem offices. Mountain bike $3/day or $20/yr. No fee at trailheads; camping fee at Cobb Ridge Campground. County ATV permit needed to use connecting county roads.

Hours & season

Open year-round, January-December (USFS); best seasons fall and spring. Ranger office (Ava, 1006 S Jefferson): Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30, closed 1:00-1:30 and federal holidays.

Amenities

Three trailheads: KC Pavilion (20 rigs w/ trailers; vault toilet, pavilion), Oak Camp (3 rigs), Camp Ridge (25 rigs; toilets, picnic tables). Cobb Ridge Campground: potable water, showers, vault toilet (trailer/tent; reservations recommended, some first-come). 3-acre Family Play Area and 5-acre Trials Bike Area are the only off-trail areas. No drinking water at trailheads or on trail; no trash cans (pack out).

Rules

Obey Missouri OHV law; stay on numbered/approved trails; muffler and USFS-approved spark arrester; working brakes; no overnight camping at day-use trailheads; fireworks prohibited. Under-18 helmet/eye protection and under-16 supervision are Missouri law (earlier note).

Family & group notes

Family Play Area; mostly moderate trails but all riders meet advanced challenges (USFS)