The Ridge Runner Trail, a National Recreation Trail, consists of:

• a 6 mile loop at Noblett Lake,
• a 6 mile loop near the North Fork Recreation Area,
• and a 21 mile long segment in between that extends from Noblett Lake in the north to the North Fork Recreation Area in the south.

Open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, the trail leads you through a part of the Missouri Ozarks known for its beauty and limestone karst topography. The landscape varies from gently rolling to very steep terrain with rock outcrops and bluffs. Vegetation along the trail is diverse and includes oak-hickory, short leaf pine, and bottomland forests. Remnant prairie plants can be seen, a reminder of a time when repeated wildfire burned the Ozarks allowing fingers of prairie to extend into the woods. From Blue Hole Trailhead to the northern junction of the North Fork loop, the Ridge Runner and Ozark Trails run concurrently. A good map and compass, and knowledge of utilizing these, are strongly suggested for this trail system.

Operational Hours:

Open year round.

Fees:

There is a $2/vehicle fee for day use at the North Fork Recreation Area.

Restrictions:

A good map and compass, and knowledge of utilizing these, are strongly suggested. Drinking water is usually available at the North Fork Recreation Area from May through October 15, but make sure to bring drinking water and/or a container for carrying water on the trail. No horses allowed in the day use areas at Noblett and North Fork or on the portion of trail near Blue Springs.. There is a $2/vehicle fee for day use at the North Fork Recreation Area.

Ridge Runner Guide and Map

Please look at the five pages of the Ridge Runner Trail's Recreation Opportunity Guide (ROG) below. It includes a map of the area, an elevation chart, and descriptions of the loops. Below that, is a three-paged, more detailed map of the trail system.

Ridge Runner Map