Mark Twain National Forest · Missouri

Devils Backbone-McGarr

3.0 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 21-6123-B · trail class 2 · typical grade 10-12% · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking, horse

Trailhead McGarr Ridge Trailhead Drive there

McGarr Ridge Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

season January to December

McGarr Ridge Trailhead is located on the south side of CC Highway about 4 miles east of Dora, MO. It provides access to the Devil's Backbone Wilderness Area. This wilderness takes its name from a long narrow ridge known to early settlers as Devil’s Backbone. There is a unique blend of Missouri Ozark’s flora and fauna, characterized by rugged topography, springs, and the North Fork River. With 6,595 acres inside the Wilderness’ boundaries, this is an ideal area for day hiking or overnight backpacking.

Restrictions Limit your party size to 10 persons; no camping within 100 feet of trails, water sources and other camps. Terrain is sometimes steep. No motorized or mechanized equipment allowed. Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics; Never tie stock directly to trees. Commercial use will not be permitted. Special uses will not be permitted, except for access to surrounded private property.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Mark Twain National Forest

All 294 trails in Mark Twain National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.