Each autumn, the Ozark Trail Conference Meeting in Potosi, Missouri, brings together hikers, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts eager to engage with one of the Midwest’s most compelling trail networks. The event serves as both a celebration and a working session to maintain, plan, and expand the Ozark Trail, a rugged path that threads through forested hills, limestone bluffs, and sparkling streams.

Set against the backdrop of the Mark Twain National Forest, the conference offers a chance to hike varied terrains within an accessible loop near Potosi. Expect distances ranging from moderate 6-10 mile sections to longer 15-mile days for seasoned participants. Elevation gains typically hover between 600 and 1,000 feet per segment, enough to push your cardiovascular system while rewarding with panoramic overlooks and intimate woodland corridors.

The trail claims its character from the Ozarks themselves—steep ridges carved by ancient rivers dare you to keep pace, while currents below quietly push the land’s slow change. Red cedars and lanky oaks crowd the path, their leaves shifting color like a rolling wave in fall. Interspersed limestone outcrops provide footholds and natural resting spots, where you can survey the countryside or catch a breeze.

Practical preparation is crucial. Footwear with solid ankle support and a grippy sole will manage the rocky, sometimes uneven soil. Hydration packs are essential; water sources can be unpredictable depending on season and recent rainfall. Timing your visit for early fall avoids the oppressive summer heat and the winter ice that can make trails slick. Start early in the day to benefit from cooler air and lengthen your hiking window.

Beyond the hike itself, the annual meeting hosts workshops on trail maintenance techniques, conservation practices, and the local ecology shaping this forest. It’s a rare combination of hands-on work, education, and exploration in a landscape that is fiercely itself—not tamed, but respected.

Whether you’re here to pull a few hours of trail work, join guided hikes that reveal hidden features, or just to share stories with fellow trail lovers, the conference embodies the practical spirit of outdoor adventure. This isn’t about conquering but engaging, learning, and giving back. Prepare well, stay alert to the land’s shifting moods, and the Ozark Trail will challenge and reward you without spectacle or spectacle’s excess. It’s a grounded trek through a landscape that dares you to move with care and curiosity.