{"id":54020,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54020","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54020"],"author":"50","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-14 12:31:22","date_utc":"2025-12-14 17:31:22","modified":"2026-02-06 14:34:18","modified_utc":"2026-02-06 19:34:18","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/volunteer-vacation-trip\/hiking-and-river-adventures-with-indoor-lodging-in-the-ozark-plateau-mo\/","rest_url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-json\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/54020","title":"Hiking and River Adventures with Indoor Lodging in the Ozark Plateau, MO","description":"

Located in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Plateau, the Ozark Trail goes through the Mark Twain National Forest and provides ample hiking, floating and biking opportunities. You can experience five of the world’s largest fresh water springs, float on three of the most scenic rivers in the country and even encounter wild horses of Shannon County and elk herds on drive thru trails! All with the comfort of indoor lodging!<\/p>\n

Volunteers will build new trails, rehabilitate existing trails, and conduct general trail maintenance.<\/p>\n

On the vacation day volunteers will have the option to join an expert led hike or river float, go on a bike, or tour local landmarks including Klepzig Mill, Alley Springs spring and mill, Big Springs, Turner Mill, and Round Spring Cave Tour ( if cave is open),<\/p>\n

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation!\u00a0<\/b>Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it\u2019s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Avg. Temperature:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of around 80\u201385\u00b0F and lows of 60\u201365\u00b0F. Early September in the Missouri Ozarks is warm and often humid, with scattered showers and thunderstorms still possible.<\/p>\n

Sample Schedule: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 1: Arrival<\/p>\n

Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time\/place TBD)<\/p>\n

Day 2: Work Day<\/p>\n

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM<\/p>\n

Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.<\/p>\n

Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.<\/p>\n

Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.<\/p>\n

After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of\u00a0 time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.<\/p>\n

Day 3: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)<\/p>\n

Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike,\u00a0 tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.<\/p>\n

Day 5: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 6: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 7: Departure<\/p>\n

Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.<\/p>\n

Land Acknowledgment:<\/strong><\/p>\n

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Osage, O\u010dh\u00e9thi \u0160ak\u00f3wi\u014b, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) and Kaskaskia, past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.<\/p>","excerpt":"","slug":"hiking-and-river-adventures-with-indoor-lodging-in-the-ozark-plateau-mo","image":{"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129.jpg","id":54101,"extension":"jpg","width":2560,"height":1920,"filesize":1363869,"sizes":{"medium":{"width":550,"height":413,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":44790,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129-550x413.jpg"},"large":{"width":800,"height":600,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":105744,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129-800x600.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"width":300,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":17100,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129-300x300.jpg"},"1536x1536":{"width":1536,"height":1152,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":449275,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129-1536x1152.jpg"},"2048x2048":{"width":2048,"height":1536,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":786042,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129-2048x1536.jpg"},"rta_thumb_no_cropped_1920x9999":{"width":1920,"height":1440,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":696855,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251130-164129-1920x1440.jpg"}}},"all_day":true,"start_date":"2026-09-06 00:00:00","start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"06","hour":"00","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"end_date":"2026-09-12 23:59:59","end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"12","hour":"23","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"utc_start_date":"2026-09-06 04:00:00","utc_start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"06","hour":"04","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"utc_end_date":"2026-09-13 03:59:59","utc_end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"13","hour":"03","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"timezone":"America\/New_York","timezone_abbr":"EDT","cost":"","cost_details":{"currency_symbol":"","currency_code":"","currency_position":"","values":[]},"website":"","show_map":true,"show_map_link":true,"hide_from_listings":false,"sticky":false,"featured":false,"categories":[],"tags":[],"venue":{"id":44614,"author":"22","status":"publish","date":"2021-04-16 13:53:42","date_utc":"2021-04-16 17:53:42","modified":"2025-12-14 12:31:04","modified_utc":"2025-12-14 17:31:04","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/mark-twain-national-forest\/","venue":"Mark Twain National Forest","slug":"mark-twain-national-forest","city":"Fremont","country":"United States","province":"Missouri","state":"MO","zip":"63941","stateprovince":"MO","json_ld":{"@type":"Place","name":"Mark Twain National Forest","description":"","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/mark-twain-national-forest\/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Fremont","addressRegion":"MO","postalCode":"63941","addressCountry":"United States"},"telephone":"","sameAs":""},"show_map":true,"show_map_link":true,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=44614","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=44614"]},"organizer":[{"id":54394,"author":"35","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-16 16:21:54","date_utc":"2025-12-16 21:21:54","modified":"2025-12-16 16:21:54","modified_utc":"2025-12-16 21:21:54","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/host\/ozark-trail-association\/","organizer":"Ozark Trail Association","slug":"ozark-trail-association","json_ld":{"@type":"Person","name":"Ozark Trail Association","description":"","url":"","telephone":"","email":"","sameAs":""},"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54394","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54394"]}],"custom_fields":{"_ecp_custom_3":{"label":"Project Rating","value":"Moderate"},"_ecp_custom_4":{"label":"Trip Accommodations","value":"Dormitory\/Bunkhouse"},"_ecp_custom_5":{"label":"Accommodations Description","value":"Dormitory style bedrooms with fully equipped kitchens, full indoor bathrooms, laundry facilities, and either wifi or cell service. Outdoor fire rings and grills will be available. Cell service or wifi available. Volunteers need to bring their own sheets, bedding or sleeping bag and towels."},"_ecp_custom_6":{"label":"Area and Attractions","value":"Located in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Plateau, the Ozark Trail goes through the Mark Twain National Forest and provides ample hiking, floating and biking opportunities. You can experience five of the world's largest fresh water springs, float on three of the most scenic rivers in the country and even encounter wild horses of Shannon County and elk herds on drive thru trails! All with the comfort of indoor lodging!"},"_ecp_custom_9":{"label":"Minimum Age","value":"12"},"_ecp_custom_10":{"label":"Maximum Group Size","value":"12"},"_ecp_custom_11":{"label":"Travel Details","value":"St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the closest airport in St. Louis, MO. Airport pickup is available. Scheduled pickup time is 10am on September 6. Scheduled drop-off time is 11am on September 12."},"_ecp_custom_23":{"label":"Project Access","value":"Volunteers will hike in less than a mile from the paring area to the trail worksite."},"_ecp_custom_32":{"label":"Hike Type","value":"Day Hiking"},"_ecp_custom_33":{"label":"Registration URL","value":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/civicrm\/event\/register\/?id=383&reset=1"},"_ecp_custom_34":{"label":"Trip Length","value":"Full (week long)"},"_ecp_custom_37":{"label":"Volunteer Age","value":"Family Friendly"}},"json_ld":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Event","name":"Hiking and River Adventures with Indoor Lodging in the Ozark Plateau, MO","description":"<p>Located in the heart of the Missouri Ozark Plateau, the Ozark Trail goes through the Mark Twain National Forest and provides ample hiking, floating and biking opportunities. 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