Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Missouri / Ozark Trail

Ozark Trail: Eleven Point Section

Mark Twain National Forest, Eleven Point Ranger District (Oregon County)

The Eleven Point Section is the southern end of the Ozark Trail’s established thru-hike route. The Ozark Trail Association (OTA) lists it at 29 miles, from Forest Road 3152 west past Greer Spring and McCormack Lake to a trailhead near Thomasville. Its eastern miles cross the rugged country of the Eleven Point National Scenic River, and from Greer the trail follows the river toward McCormack Lake.

The OTA promises swimming and fishing on the river in summer but adds that the section is “not a ‘walk in the park.’”

The hike

From the Forest Road 3152 trailhead, shared with the end of the Between the Rivers Section, the OTA says the trail follows side slopes to Hurricane Creek, a crossing that “may be unsafe to use during high water periods.” The Forest Service describes the first 10 miles as “very rugged slopes and flowages” and names Leffer Look, a high bluff, and the Devil’s Backbone, a karst feature, along the way.

At Greer Recreation Area, around mile 10, the trail meets the river. The OTA recommends a photo stop at the mouth of Greer Spring and points out a bluff view near mile 12. A spur leads to McCormack Lake near mile 13. Beyond, the trail reaches Bockman Spring near mile 20 and spends its last 10 miles in the Spring Creek drainage.

Backpacker’s 2016 overnight, written by Savannah Waszczuk, covers 12.5 miles eastbound, from the McCormack Lake trailhead to Forest Road 3152. She describes McCormack Bluff at mile 1.4 as the place to see dogwoods and redbuds in bloom, then a road walk at Highway 19 before the trail climbs from Graveyard Hollow. Her advice: “Take the upper path for better views and drier boots.”

A 2013 Backpacker shuttle hike drawn from The Ozark Trail Guidebook by Margo Carroll and Peggy Welch covers 24 miles. It mentions views of the Mary Decker Shoals, lookouts west of McCormack Lake, glades with wildflowers, and Bockman Spring, where water flows through a cave once used as a food cellar. Its safety note is short: “Ticks are common; take precautions.”

The OTA’s condition notes list tread problems just east of Greer, erosion near Bockman Spring, and heavy stinging nettle on the lower route between Hurricane Creek and Greer in summer. Hiking Project lists 29 miles with about 3,900 feet of climbing. The section is open to hikers, bikes, and horses.

Tips

Camping

The Forest Service allows dispersed camping along the trail at least 100 feet from it, with no toilets, structures, trash cans, treated water, or fire grates. Bury human waste and pack out all trash. The OTA lists Greer Springs and McCormack Lake as developed campgrounds; Backpacker (2013) describes primitive sites and vault toilets at Greer and water at McCormack Lake. Terrain Magazine’s thru-hiker passed through McCormack Lake Campground in October 2024.

Inside Intel: Backpacker’s 2016 trip recommends an unnamed pine grove at about mile 5.7 of its eastbound route. After passing the Greer campground and Graveyard Hollow, climb about a mile to level ground, where there’s room for a group and a view of the river about 200 feet below. Refill at Graveyard Hollow before the climb.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Pine needles 200 feet above the Eleven Point:

Backpacker's suggested camp is a pine grove high above the river, and a comfortable pad turns a needle-covered bench into a good night's sleep. See the pads testers like.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.