There are cooler brands that focus on coming up with premium features for their customers, and there are cooler brands that focus on coming up with affordable coolers for the average Joe.

Susie Nichols Cabin Trail: 0.6 miles round trip. This easy walk leads from the gate at the parking area up the old "home place" road to the farmstead of Susie Nichols, who up until her death in 1959 chose to keep "the old ways". Living without electricity and relying on her horse "ol' Don" she remained independent and self-sufficient. The park maintains her board & batten cabin and several outbuildings---the Nichols homestead being a cultural landscape typical of Ozark lifeways.I like this idea, because it will keep the inside of the cooler dryer and the contents easier to unload and keep organized. To be entirely honest, while Ozark tries, the ice retention isn’t quite on the same level as what you get with a Yeti. Neither is the toughness. The features are on par, however, and that is a plus. Here it’s really a battle of reputations, though, because, for the price, Ozark is a solid choice. Verdict Pulltite Cabin Trail: 0.2 miles round trip. Located across the Current River from the Pulltite campground, this very short trail is accessible by boat (or wading if the river is low enough). From the river bank the trail circles around a fern and moss covered dolomite bluff to Pulltite Spring and a log cabin that was constructed as a "retreat" by city folk who traveled to the Ozarks to "float the river" in the early 20 th century. Park staff have recently refurbished the log framework. The setting, seemingly remote, with access limited to the river---gives today's visitor a glimpse of the rustic natural character that has captivated Ozark "tourists" and settlers alike. Stone Ridge Trail:1.2 miles long.This moderate to mildly strenuous hike ascends the limestone bluff to the ridgeline above the Big Spring, then descends through swales and hollows down to link up with the Slough Trail. Segments of this trail consist of stone steps constructed by the "CCC boys" during the Depression era when Big Spring was an early State Park. The trail travels through dry upland oak woods with numerous dolomite outcroppings and several opportunities for scenic views. SAFETY NOTE:River fords are signed---and riders are to cross only at these designated fords. For the safety of both rider and mount---always release tie-downs before crossing a river ford. Never attempt to cross any stream or river during periods of high water.

Cave Spring River Trail: 0.8 miles round trip. This easy trail begins at the day-use picnic area near Cave Spring on the Lower Current located west of the small community of Hunter (take Hwy 21 south and Hwy E west out of Hunter). Cave Spring River Trail passes through dense riparian habitat along the banks of the spring branch fed by waters issuing from the large vaulted entrance of the cave. This trail follows the spring branch east to the Current River. Now, the general assumption here is that this cooler brand is actually owned by Walmart since they’re mostly sold at their stores. However, we cannot definitely say whether Ozark Trail is a Walmart company or not but it looks as a private label brand of Walmart.Another good thing about Ozark Trail coolers is that all of their metal components are made of stainless steel, which is resistant to both breaking and corrosion. That makes them longer lasting. What is the weather going to be? Will you be traveling during a season with temperature swings? Is there potential for inclement weather? So there you have it. We have the Ozark Trail line of coolers. They also have some great but more mainstream designs for the tightest of budgets, by the way. Kinnard Hollow Trail: 3.5 miles long.The Kinnard Trail must be accessed via the Chubb Hollow Trail, the Spring Valley Trail, or the Chilton Trail. A moderate, but long hike, this trail was once part of the route patrolled by a "Range Rider" when Big Spring, one of Missouri's first state parks, served as a wildlife "refuge" during the era of early conservation. Three fourths of the trail winds along a stream bed until ascending the ridge up to the Big Spring Lookout Tower. In the near future, hikers will be able to access the 200+ mile regional Ozark Trail from the Kinnard Hollow Trail via a 'spur' trail connecting the Between the Rivers Section of the Ozark Trail to the Big Spring trail system. Most of the models also come with an expandable top, which means you get plenty of storage space, being able to gain an extra three inches off the top.

Water sources like rivers and streams may only be available seasonally. OT maps are a great resource to help identify places where you can access water. If you’re on the trail for several days, toilet paper and a cathole shovel are necessities. When you do have to answer the call of the wild, make sure to stay at least 100 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep.

Ozark Trail Backpacks Compared

Ozark Trail decided to pass up the opportunity to create a simple cooler for the medium price range to the lower price range. Because of this, their coolers are certified bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee ( IGBC) and join the club of other well known, bear-proof coolers. That means you don’t have to worry about a grizzly bear gaining access to your cooler contents. How on earth they manage to make a profit with it is beyond us for now. We suspect a good amount of overseas outsourcing is behind it. But hey, we’re certainly not complaining! So you have a strong gasket, but you need it to squeeze very tight if it’s going to be useful. That’s where a pair of strong latches come in. In this case, the most popular latch design among premium coolers is the T-Rex Latch design. That’s exactly what you find on the Ozark Trail coolers. Blue Spring Trail: 1 mile round trip. This easy to moderate hike may be accessed at Powder Mill or from the picnic area at the Blue Spring Trailhead & Picnic Area. The trail skirts the bottomland riparian forest along the Current River between Powder Mill and the Blue Spring State Natural Area---where the trail parallels the spring branch out to Blue Spring . As the name of this spring indicates---Blue Spring is deemed the "bluest" spring in Missouri and at a depth of around 300 feet---it is Missouri's deepest.

Round Spring Trails: Round Spring Trail - A short walk (0.1 mile) from the Round Spring Picnic area takes visitors to an overlook where visitors can view the deep blue-green waters of Round Spring which lies at the base of a moss/fern covered limestone bluff. Interpretive exhibits provide information on geology and an overview of prehistoric peoples who once lived in the area. Here the ice retention is pretty impressive if Ozark’s own numbers are to be believed. The smallest hard-sided cooler is supposed to last 4.5 days, the 52-quart one is supposed to last 7 days, and the largest one is supposed to last 9 days. Pulltite Nature Trail: 1.5 mile loop trail.This trail presents a moderate challenge. The trailhead is located near the terminus of the campground road near the Group Camping Area at Pulltite. It is a 'self-guided' nature walk with interpretive panels along the trail. The trail ascends the ridge through oak/pine upland forest---passing close to a dolomite cave. On decent from the ridgetop the trail parallels the Current River through riparian habitat. While much of the trail is under shaded tree canopy, you’ll still want to use sunscreen to prevent any burns.Round Spring Cave Trail - A short walk from the cave parking area (0.1 mile) through the woods along the spring branch takes visitors to the Round Spring Caverns for a tour of the cave. Guided tours (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) led by a park ranger explore the subterranean world of stalagmites, stalactites, bats, and cave salamanders---typical of hundreds of caves found throughout the park. A cave tour takes approximately 2 hours.