Today I’m going to break away from my usual topics and write about something a little different. Today’s story is about one of the funnest days I’ve ever had out in the woods. (is “funnest” a word?…is it “most fun”?) That would be the day I went ATV trail riding at Mack’s Pines in the Ozarks. Now, I don’t often write stories involving commercial businesses (free plugs). I should also note this is not a paid or sponsored post. But hey, it’s my blog so I’m allowed to break the rules. Call it Mack’s lucky day.
I don’t have my own ATV and had never done this before. I was with a group of buddies on our annual Big Piney – Longpool Camping weekend. A few of the guys brought side-by-sides and 4-wheelers and had this event planned. I had driven by Mack’s Pines dozens of times and never thought much of it. I’ve hiked areas all around it, but had never actually been on their property. I had no idea how huge it was! We covered so much more ground in a day than I ever could by hiking or mountain biking. And there is just something fun about hauling ass through the woods on a motorized vehicle. Big hills, mud holes, creek crossings…no problem! Where I usually would avoid mud holes, we were seeking them out that day.
Directions
Mack’s Pines is located directly on Hwy 7, about 15-20 miles north of Dover. They show up on Google maps, so it’s really easy to find. And it’s really close to the Big Piney Creek and Longpool Campground. Convenient if you are in that area.
What to Expect
Mack’s Pines is a private property near Moccasin Gap with hundreds of miles of trails to explore. It is not only for ATV riding. You can hike or mountain bike all of their trails. Or you can tackle them by dirt bike, ATV, or horseback. If you are not familiar with this area, it is right in the middle of where I do a lot of hiking and floating. So it’s very scenic, with lots of hills, streams, wildlife, and some waterfalls. It is a giant labyrinth of trails, some of them well marked, but many of them are not. So come prepared with trail maps, at a minimum. Ideally, this is a place where a GPS device comes in really handy.
The first thing you should know is that they have a restaurant there with great burgers and a pretty darn good breakfast. We got there early in the morning and had breakfast before hitting the trail. I definitely recommend this. Then we checked in with the front desk. We got our trail map, quick run-down of their rules, and other things we needed to know. After a few minutes of unloading the ATV’s and getting our gear together, we were ready to hit the trails. They have two different sections of trails. One on the west side of Hwy 7, and one on the east side behind the office and campground. We only did the west side. So this post is strictly limited to our experience with the West trails that day.
The Trails
Although you can hike/bike these trails if you want, this place is really an ATV paradise. Why? Because there are TONS of creeks to cross and mud holes to splash through. You can navigate over or around these on foot or bike. But these are really the funnest part of an ATV trail ride. And there is plenty of fun here to be had!
The trails wind through the woods, up and down hills – finding creeks, cliffs, vistas, and waterfalls along the way. There are sections that allow you to go really fast, and other parts that are more technical. One trail we rode took us across a creek at the top of a tall waterfall. We took a break there and enjoyed the falls for a while. Another trail took us up a challenging hill, which was kind of an adrenaline rush. One of our guys had to winch his way up the hill. That’s all part of the fun.
We spent about 7-8 hours on the trails that day and I feel like we only saw a small portion of all they have to offer. We got a little turned around once or twice and had to guess which way to go. But it all worked. out. I have plenty of pics and video below for to check out. Hope you like those. All in all, Trail Riding at Mack’s Pines was an absolute blast! I was so glad I cancelled the Big Piney float I had planned that day, and did this instead. (and I LOVE to float the Piney). I hope one day I can go back and do the east side trails.
Plan Your Trip
Trail Riding at Mack’s Pines is something you’ll want to make a full day of, maybe even a weekend. I recommend getting an early start. Pack a lunch, or plan your route to stop back at the cafe for lunch. Whether you plan to hike, bike, or ride, show up with the right gear. You’ll want either hiking boots, shoes, or mud boots that you don’t mind getting wet or muddy. If your’re riding, wear clothes you don’t mind getting splashed with muddy water. As I mentioned before, be sure to have trail maps, and if possible a GPS device. Cell service there is spotty, so don’t rely on having it to access online maps or GPS service. (Google maps on your phone is hit and miss).
Accomodations
Mack’s Pines has everything you need to spend an entire week there if that’s what you want to do. They have cabins, campsites, and RV sites. I did not notice if the RV sites were full hook-up or not. I would think they probably are. There is also Longpool Campground on the Big Piney nearby if Mack’s is full. I mentioned the restaurant before. Their burgers are outstanding. And even when we camp at Longpool, we still drive to Mack’s for breakfast sometimes. Their office/store also has some groceries and supplies available. As for fuel, I don’t recall seeing any gas pumps but could be wrong about that. You’ll want to verify with them before going. Otherwise, the closest reliably open gas stations are 15 or so miles away in Dover.
I don’t want to list their parking/camping/riding fees here as they’re subject to change. So are their operating hours. So call ahead to get the current info on those. You can find their contact info and more here. Be sure to check out my pics below. And as always, remember to take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Or in this case, tire tracks! LOL.
(Click slider below to enlarge images)
