Mark Twain Community Campout in Missouri

This is one of two opportunities to hang out with a Bikepacking Roots’ Community Steward for Swift Campout, hosted by Kurt Pitts of Missouri Bikepacking!

Swift Campout is the annual, global call to go bike-camping to celebrate the summer solstice. For the tenth year in a row, adventurers will pack camp gear on their bicycles and head out on June 22nd and 23rd, 2024 to kick off summer with a bike-overnight. Swift Campout is an ode to spending the longest day in the saddle and the shortest night under the stars. It is a celebration of the stellar community that rallies to share this stoke.

Join us for a free, fun overnight bikepacking adventure in the Mark Twain National Forest of the Missouri Ozarks. This trip has a choose your own adventure element, where you will be able to decide between a 40-mile gravel loop or 35-mile singletrack out and back option. Take in scenic vistas of the Mark Twain National Forest and maybe go for a swim in the West Fork of the Black River.

The trip will start at Koinania Valley Ranch in Black, Missouri.

Riders choosing the gravel option will have 19 miles with 1,696 ft of ascent. 6 miles are paved. The 13 miles of gravel has an even split of smooth/hardpack and loose/chunky. Day 2 has 21.7 miles with 1,581 ft of ascent. 5.5 miles of pavement and 16.2 miles of gravel with another even split of smooth/hardpack and loose/chunky.

Riders choosing the singletrack option will have 5 and a half miles of hardpack gravel to take them to the Ozark Trail. After 12 miles of undulating singletrack on the Middle Fork and Karkaghne sections of the OT, they will reach Sutton Bluff Campground. Day 2 is a complete backtrack of the day 1 route. Each day is 17.8 miles with day 1 having 1,363 feet of ascent and day 2 having 1,414 feet of ascent.

This trip is beginner-focused and open to anyone. The atmosphere will be supportive and non-competitive with the goal of sharing bikepacking and creating a safe and inclusive opportunity to bikepack. You bring your bike, gear, food and self-sufficient riding skills and we’ll bring the community and camaraderie. We have created these Community Campouts to support you in building community and making new bikepacking friends, expand or develop your bikepacking skills, and to get to know a little bit more about Bikepacking Roots’ through our Community Stewards.

This trip is limited to 15 riders, so sign up now to secure your spot!