Route 66 and ATV Trails Through Kansas and Missouri
With this small amount of Kansas covered by Route 66, there is no ATV riding areas available until reaching Missouri. Route 66 continues in Missouri on MO-66E to Joplin. In Joplin, turn left at 7th Street then take Business US-71E, which is also Range Line Road, to Webb City.
Before traveling to Webb City, take a short drive to the Mark Twain National Forest and spend some time riding the trails that are offered there. These trails offer steep forested hills with rocks and stream crossings and are often along old logging roads or fire trails. To get to these trails, take US-71S to MO-86S to MO-76. For more information, call 417-847-2144. After exploring the trails in Mark Twain National Forest, return to Business Us-71E and travel to Webb City.
In Webb City, turn right on Madison Street, turn left on Broadway Street, turn right on Webb Avenue then right on Main Street. Follow Main Street to Carterville. In Carterville, turn left with MO-HH at Lewis Street intersection, turn right onto Carter Street, turn left on Main Street and another right turn at the T intersection with Pine Street and continue to Brooklyn Heights. In Brooklyn Heights, turn right on Old Route 66 Boulevard, turn left at the intersection with Hyacinth and continue on Old 66 Boulevard to Carthage. In Carthage continue on Old 66 Boulevard to Oak Street, take a left on Oak Street, then a right on Garrison and a right on Central Avenue. Follow Central Avenue to MO-96E and go past the railroad tracks to the intersection of Old 66 Boulevard. Continue east through Maxville and on to CR118. Turn right on CR118 to Forest Mills and continue to MO-96. Continue traveling east on MO-96 through Avilla, Stone City, Log City, Plew, Rescue, Phelps, Albatross, Heatonville and to Spencer.
In Spencer, continue on MO-96 to FR-2059, take a left on FR-2062 Lc and continue to MO-N. Travel on MO-N to MO-96 and on to Historic Route 66, which is MO-266 to Paris Springs and on through Halltown, Ellwood and on to Springfield. Continue on MO-266 east in Springfield, and on to College Street. Turn right on College Street and follow to US-65 Business North. Continue on Business US-65 N to Glenstone Avenue, which is BL-44. Turn right on Glenstone Avenue, and then travel east again. Before leaving the Springfield area, ATV enthusiasts can enjoy some more trails by riding at Chadwick ORV Area in Ava, Missouri.
Chadwick ORV Area is also located in the Mark Twain National Forest. This area is in the northern most portion of the forest near Ozark. Riding here requires a forest pass and a helmet for everyone under 18. ATVs must be less than 50″ because the trails and bridges are no wider, and must have a spark arrester and proper exhaust packing. The trails here range for riders of all experience levels. Camping is available with running water and basic facilities. Chadwick ORV Area can be found by exiting US-65 at Sunshine Street and continuing on Sunshine Street for 2.5 miles to the entrance. For more information, call 417-638-4428. After riding the trails, return to Springfield.
Leave Springfield on MO-744 to continue with the exploration of Route 66, get on MO-OO and travel through Mulroy, Stafford, Holman, Northview and on toward Marshfield. Turn onto MO-38, then turn onto MO-CC and continue through Niangua, Conway and Phillipsburg.
In Phillipsburg, take road “W” north, cross I-44 and travel 9 miles. Continue traveling on road “W” to Elm. Turn left on Elm, which becomes Mill Creek and continue past Lebanon. Turn left on Outer road, cross over I-44, and turn left on frontage road. Stay on frontage road to CR “F” at Exit 135. Travel through Hazelgreen. Take CR”AB” east through Laquey and connect to Road “AA”, turn right onto “P”, left on MO-17 and continue on MO-17 through Waynesville. Follow MO-17 to Devil’s Elbow, then take I-44 frontage road to Arlington, enter I-44 at exit 172 past Clementine, leave I-44 at Exit 176 and follow the frontage road through Newburg and Doolittle. Follow BL-44 through Rolla.
The next ATV detour takes place at Rolla. From Rolla, take MO-72 S to Centerville and Sutton Bluff Recreation Area. There are 25 miles of ridges and bottoms in this portion of the Mark Twain National Forest. Campgrounds are open from April 21 to October 30 and a forest service permit is required. For more information, visit www.katva.org.
After returning to Rolla, continue on BL-44, which becomes US-63 and follows it across I-44 and onto the northern frontage road. Follow the northern frontage road for about 8.5 miles, cross I-44 at the intersection of MO-68. Continue north on frontage road through St. James, Fanning, Cuba, Hofflins, Bourbon and Sullivan.
The last ATV detour in Missouri is located in the Sullivan area. Exit the I-44 frontage road in Sullivan at the exit for MO-155 to Potosi. Turn left on MO-8 and travel to MO-32. Follow MO-32 to the entrance of St. Joe State Park. Trails here are sand-flats and wooded hillsides that can be steep. The staging area has 3 small shelters, vault toilets, water, change house, picnic tables and barbeque grills. Riders must have helmets, flags, brakes and a muffler, as well as a spark arrester, cannot carry passengers and no drugs or alcohol. A daily fee is required for each off-road vehicle. For more information, call 513-431-1069.
Return to Sullivan, turn left onto Elmont, then back to the southern frontage road heading north and continue through Stanton and St. Clair. Connect to MO-100 before Gray Summit and follow MO-100 through Gray Summit to Pacific. In Pacific, take BL-44 to I-44 at exit 261. Continue on I-44 through Allenton, Eureka, Peerless Park, then leave I-44 at Watson Road. Continue on Watson Road through Crestwood, Marlborough and on to St. Louis. At St. Louis turn left on Chippewa Street, turn left on Gravois Avenue, then onto Tucker Boulevard. Take Tucker Boulevard to 13th Street to Florissant, then right onto Salisbury and cross the McKinley Bridge into Illinois.
