Lookout Road

Total Miles3.5
Technical Rating
5Moderate
Best TimeSpring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Trail TypeFull-Width Road
Accessible By
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Trail Overview

Lookout Road is a scenic, moderately challenging 3.5-mile unpaved route through the Mark Twain National Forest's Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Recreation Area. Starting near Cobb Ridge Campground, the dirt and gravel road winds along forested ridges and hollows in southwest Missouri, with elevations ranging from 960 to 1,350 feet. The terrain features rocky sections, muddy hills, and deep water or mud holes exceeding 12 inches in depth. A river crossing near the end of the trail provides a scenic stop to clean muddy tires. Because this is a popular two-way route, drivers should watch for oncoming ATVs, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides.

Photos of Lookout Road

Difficulty

Rated a 5 due to a couple deep water/mud holes that are over 12" deep.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

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Stephen Starr
Aug 23, 2026
2025 Jeep 2dr Wrangler WILLYS
Open
Trail condition was good and free of obsticles. a few muddy spots. easy to go thru. some washboard rock slopes but easy to navigate. be aware of two wheel trails that cross road could have traffic.
Bradley Bos
May 22, 2026
Open
Muddy/WetNormal
Trail was great, we had a few trees blocking but cleared them. The mud pits are getting pretty soft and deep with the rain so good way to get muddy. All around great trail as little of everything
Kevin Miner
May 04, 2026
2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Open
Normal
Joel Block
Aug 02, 2025
Open
Normal
Took our brand new 2024 bronco wild trak. Had no problems. Toward the north west side of the trail. There are narrow spots with branches, brushing the vehicle, but no pinstripes. Saw a few other motorists. A few mud holes. Very passable and a lot of fun!
Preston Roesslet
Jul 21, 2025
Open
Some mud holes, but nothing too deep. There was one that was probably close to 12" deep but nothing my stock TrailBoss couldn't handle. Some parts about halfway through are pretty overgrown making for a fairly tight path, but it's passable if you don't mind rubbing against some tiny branches. There are some steep rocks that have gotten a little rougher since the last time I was here, but they are still passable in a stock 4x4
Corey McTavish
Jul 17, 2025
Open
Muddy/Wet
This was an easy trail with a few small water crossings. Several dispersed camping sites along the way.
Nicole DelSanto
Jun 16, 2025
2018 Toyota 4Runner
Open
Njce trail. Generally one vehicle wide with areas to pass. The creek is nice to cross over. Some very muddy spots, but nothing terrible.
Brian Miller
Jun 01, 2025
2024 Subaru Outback
Open
Muddy/WetRough/Deteriorated
Ran this morning in a bone stock (including tires) Outback Onyx. We came in from Center Road in Ozark and ran all the way to the asphalt at the Cobb camping area. The stair step rocks were fun. A couple of “puddles” were door sill deep. Lots of slow fun. Did the entirety in the Deep Mud and Snow Xmode setting.
Adam Kessler
May 19, 2025
2024 Ford Maverick
Open
Muddy/WetRough/DeterioratedWashboard
I really enjoyed this trail in fact so much so that I wanted to go ahead and do it backwards. However my wife didn’t. Some of the water holes got to around a foot to a foot and a half deep. Thankfully, the Maverick TREMOR is good for up to 24 inches so we were fine and the water holes had good traction. The stair step rocks were fun, but I didn’t have to use my locker. I did use trail control with mud and ruts mode. I also have a set of 235/75R17 - 31 inch all-terrain tires, which are about 2 inches overstock giving us about 10 1/4 inches of ground clearance. If you’re gonna use a maverick, I wouldn’t wanna have any less other than that. It’s the perfect vehicle any wider and I would bring a machete to prevent custom pinstriping. Anyway well worth the time of travel from Branson, MO! 🤗
gary Walton
Apr 04, 2025
Open
Muddy/Wet
3 foot deep water hole and 2 foot deep at water crossing at west interest
Dane Vankirk
Feb 15, 2025
Open
Muddy/Wet
Muddy, wet trail with some good sized mud holes. There were 4 dirt bikes, an ATV and a jeep that we met on the trail.
Morgan Rena
Dec 15, 2024
Open
Muddy/Wet
Dylan Daugherty
Nov 18, 2024
Open
Muddy/Wet
Trail was pretty straightforward. A few water holes up to 2 ft deep. Fun mild rock steps to climb.
Alex Lafferty
Oct 02, 2024
Open
NormalDustyMuddy/Wet
This trail was very enjoyable. We ended any the water crossing and it was very easy to get to this spot and back from it. We did this in a completely factory 1997 Tahoe with 3” blocks in the rear and the keys cranked up in the front. We had ZERO issues getting through.
Jeep and Destroy
Sep 05, 2024
Open
Muddy/Wet
Pretty fun little trail, just the right distance if you’re rocking it with a toddler. He was about ready towards the last 1/4 mile. This also was just the right amount of fun for a stock Gladiator on crappy tires. I might not have attempted this trail if I had known just how bumpy it was going to be but we went into it blind and pushed the ol stocker to its full potential as it just rained yesterday so there were some huge puddles on the last stretch of hills with literally no way to turn around haha. Nothing on this trail woulda been a match for my lifted wrangler but in a stack 4x4 I’d say it was close today.

Lookout Road Trail can be accessed by the following ride types:

  • Single Track
  • 50 Inch
  • 60 Inch
  • High Clearance
  • Full Width

Access Description

The trail is located within the Mark Twain National Forest's Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Recreation Area. While standard forest service roads are typically open to licensed highway-legal vehicles, any off-highway vehicles (OHVs), ATVs, or dirt bikes operating within the recreation area require a daily or annual USDA Forest Service permit. Fees and regulations are managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Lookout Road Map

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