text: Spend The Day Exploring Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest
  Posted in Missouri Nature	March 03, 2022 by Beth Price-Williams
  Spend The Day Exploring Caves In Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest
  Exploring Missouri quite naturally means happening upon little known caves, often while we're hiking. Even if we're not into hiking, we can explore some of the most popular caves in the state on guided tours. Missouri is, after all, the cave state with more than 6,400 caves. If you're up for a day of adventure outdoors, one that includes discovering hidden caves, make your way to Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest.
  Spanning 1.5 million acres through 29 counties, Mark Twain National Forest draws outdoor lovers from all over Missouri and beyond for its many activities – from hiking to camping.
  Trip Advisor/TaylorPettit
  The sprawling national forest also boasts more than 600 caves, some of which play an important role to the wildlife that live in the forest.
  All Trails/Mike Edwards
  An estimated 20 caves in Mark Twain National Forest, for example, house many of the resident gray bats. The bats use their caves for a specific purpose, such as hibernation.
  Wikipedia/Cody Jordan
  If you want to get an up-close view of some of the caves in Mark Twain National Forest, lace up your hiking boots, and follow one of the 700 miles of hiking trails.
  Be forewarned, however, that you may not be able to go inside all of the caves but should be able to get a glimpse inside. You might want to bring a flashlight along.
  All Trails/Phillip Dean
  The Onyx Cave Trail, for example, will take you to several different caves along its 2.1-mile path. Just be prepared for a bit of a challenge as the trail is considered moderate.
  Greer Spring Trail, on the other hand, leads you to a cave and one of the largest springs in Missouri. The 1.2-mile trek also earns a moderate rating due to several inclines and rocks that litter the path in some places.
  All Trails/Wallace Bell
  Follow the Slabtown Cave Overlook Trail that will take you to the cave and to sensational views, from inside of the cave, of Big Piney River.
  All Trails/Jacob Rozner
  While considered moderate, the trail tallies less than half of a mile.
  Learn more on the official website of Mark Twain National Forest.
  All Trails/Dilia Martin
  Have you been to Missouri's Mark Twain's National Forest? How many caves did you run across? Let us know in the comments! If you're a fan of hiking and caves, follow the Sheep's Cave Trail in Meramec State Park.