Glade Top Trail - Mark Twain National Forest - Taney County & Ozark County Missouri

The Glade Top Trail is a spectacular drive of over 23 miles on unpaved roads within 60 miles of Springfield and Branson. It’s especially worth visiting in the fall.

The Glade Top Trail is Missouri’s only National Forest Scenic Byway. The 23-mile trail runs through narrow ridge tops above the surrounding countryside. Along the trail there are seven overlooks with off road stopping places providing panoramic views that reach to the Springfield Plateau twenty miles to the northwest and forty miles south to the Boston Mountains in Arkansas.

While it is not a recognised hiking or backpacking route, as it is in the Mark Twain national Forest there is no reason why you couldn’t use this route as an access point for some serious bushwhacking.

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You can read more about the Glade Top trail on the US Forest Department website

Glade Top Trail – Fall 2009 Photographs

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First Stop on the Glade Top Trail

The view across to Arkansas

Glade Top Trail

Fall color (2009)

Glade Top Trail – View to the north

Fall color on the Glade Top Trail (2009)

Glade Top Trail

Fall color – Glade Top Trail (2009)

Lone Pines on the Glade Top Trail

Stopping point on the Glade Top Trail

Glade Top Trail

Glade Top Trail – Caney Picnic Area

Cave at Caney Picnic Area – Glade Top Trail – you are now advised not to enter caves because of the possibility of disturbing and infecting roosting bats.