The Ozark Trail: A Guide to Hiking Missouri’s Mountains

Browse all our gear like spacious tents, durable backpacks, warm sleeping bags, outdoor cooking supplies, and more. Take the Ozark Trail 25 L Stillwater Daypack with you on your next outdoor adventure. The first good design feature is the placement of the door on the side, and more specifically on the long side of the tent. I’ve tried tents with the door on one end and it is cumbersome. For the end-door variants, one has to toss their sleeping bag down the tent when getting ready for bed. Other items that you may want to keep at the foot of the sleeping area are also hard to access or reach if your head is near the door.

It was pretty easy to make adjustments from the side door access. This pack fits me fine and is very comfortable for lightweight loads. It’s light enough that I don’t mind putting it in my backpack and it takes up almost no space at all. For day hikes this is just as good as (and lighter than) my Osprey Daylite that retails for almost four times more. The one downside with integrated rain flies is the lack of ventilation and temperature control.

A great pack for day hikes, hunting and weekend camping. While this pack may not be big enough to carry all the gear you need for longer treks, it offers many of the features you would want at a good price. Walmart has up to 50% off select Ozark Backpacks and Daypacks! Grab a hydration compatible backpack for $13.96 or Go Bag for $15.53. I’ve carried it in bad weather, including rain and snow. Some days this bag was heavier than I would have chosen it to be.

Bring a dedicated bear canister or hang a bear bag for all food and other aromatic items that might attract ozark trail canopy a bear’s attention. If you’re searching east of the Rockies for stunning scenery, technical terrain, and a long hike option sans the AT crowds, this is your pick. Try out unlimited access with 7 days of Outside+ for free. The Ozark Trail cooler is made from polyethylene, which is the most common kind of plastic in use today.

Looking for a versatile Backpack perfect for hiking, traveling, commuting or anything else? If so, the Ozark Trail Adult, Unisex, Denton 20 Liter Hiking Backpack in gray is a must-have for life on the go. For storage options, there is a large zippered main compartment, a padded laptop sleeve and front accessory pockets. This bag was also designed with water bottle pockets to keep hydration within reach and side compression straps ozark trail backpack to help stabilize the load. It is made from 420D recycled polyester fabric and has a 600D polyester abrasion-resistant bottom that offers maximum durability. An adjustable sternum strap and air mesh-padded back and shoulder straps help you get a comfortable and customizable fit every time.

Trail maps are free to print at home or are available for purchase at the online store. If you’re on a multi-day hike, toilet paper and a cathole shovel are necessities. When you have to answer nature’s call, make sure to stay at least 200 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep. Tent, hammock or open-air camping — choose your camping style based on experience and comfort level. Be prepared to face changing weather conditions out in the wilderness.

Water sources such as rivers and streams may only be available seasonally. Ozark Trail maps are a great resource to help identify places where you can access water. Bring enough water for your trip or a way to purify water to make it safe to drink. Many of the creeks and streams look crystal clear, but it’s still smart to make sure any impurities are removed with pumps or tablets before drinking the water.

Ozark springs see a lot of rain and varied temperatures; Ozark summers tend to be hot, muggy, and wet; Ozark winters can drop below freezing. Wet weather is common to the Ozark climate, especially in late spring through summer, and fosters a breeding ground for bugs, mosquitos, and ticks. Consider bringing waterproof shoes and treating your clothes ahead of time with permethrin to repel insects. In the colder seasons insulating layers are a must, and a good rain shell for you and rain fly for your tent are necessary year-round. Just about every other daypack I’ve had falls apart under the weight of my books (med school).

One of the best parts of hiking is settling around a campfire at the end of the day and enjoying a hot meal. You may find it helpful to make a list of meals for each day you are out on the trail to ensure that you are not over- or under-packing for your trip. Further south, you can find Klepzig Mill, a historic building constructed nearly 100 years ago along the banks of Rocky Creek.