OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION
The Ozark Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards 430+ miles of backcountry trail in the Missouri Ozarks, serving hikers, volunteers, and corporate sponsors through membership, donations, and event fundraising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPotosi, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION does
The Ozark Trail Association (OTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Potosi, Missouri, whose mission is to develop, maintain, preserve, promote, and protect the Ozark Trail. The organization stewards a 430+ mile backcountry trail system in the Missouri Ozarks, designated as a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. National Park Service, and is the only entity solely dedicated to that corridor. Operations are predominantly volunteer-powered, anchored by an Adopt-A-Trail program, scheduled maintenance weeks, and new-trail construction collaborations with partners including the Sierra Club, American Hiking Society, and City of St. Louis Forestry Division.
OTA's core "products" are physical trail services rather than software: trail directory and trip planning tools hosted on ozarktrail.com, downloadable maps, safety guidelines, and thru-hiking resources. The organization recently hired its first full-time Trail Crew Leader (Devin Barnett, 2026), marking a structural shift away from a purely volunteer operational model. Revenue is generated through four membership tiers (Individual $35/yr, Family $60/yr, Next Generation $20/yr, Life $500 one-time), one-time and recurring donations via PayPal and the Walmart SPARK Good round-up program, corporate sponsorships with outdoor retailers and service providers (Bass Pro Shops, REI, Alpine Shop, UST, CDI, ARCO Construction, Public House Brewing), and event-based fundraising including the OT Challenge Hike ($1,250 per participant), OT100 Endurance Run, 3-Legged Monster Race, Devil's Toll Race, and pint/trivia nights.
The organization's go-to-market is community-led: it relies on volunteer labor for trail work, regional event participation for fundraising, and outdoor-industry partners for distribution and visibility. Its customer base consists of outdoor recreation enthusiasts (hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, trail runners, paddlers), volunteer trail adopters, and corporate sponsors seeking marketing exposure to a defined outdoor enthusiast demographic. Geographic operations are concentrated in the Missouri Ozarks with expanding engagement into the St. Louis metropolitan area.
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION
- Legal name
- Ozark Trail Association
- Website
- https://ozarktrail.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Ozark Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards 430+ miles of backcountry trail in the Missouri Ozarks, serving hikers, volunteers, and corporate sponsors through membership, donations, and event fundraising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trail Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Trail Running & Ultra-Endurance Events (Trail Races, Ultras) (MPAKAIAD), Outdoor Adventure Tour Operators (Hiking, Rafting, Climbing, Safari) (THAAAAAE)
Keywords
Where OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Potosi
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual memberships ranging from $20-$60 per year, plus one-time $500 Life membership. Members receive benefits including voting rights and contribute directly to mission funding.
- Donations: One-time and recurring cash donations via PayPal. Organization is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt. Also utilizes Walmart SPARK Good program for operational supply donations and spare change round-up.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support, purchasing gas for chainsaws, tires for trailers, tools, and marketing opportunities. Partners include Bass Pro Shops, Alpine Shop, REI, UST, CDI, ARCO Construction, and St. Louis Ultra Runners Group.
- Event Sponsorships: Companies sponsor outdoor events including the 3-Legged Monster Race, Devil's Toll Race, OT100 Endurance Run, and trail maintenance weeks. Sponsors receive marketing visibility at events and in promotional materials.
- Event Fundraising: Hosts events including OT Challenge Hike ($1,250 fundraising commitment per participant), OT Hike and Float Challenge, trivia nights, and pint nights that serve as fundraisers. These are described as largest fundraisers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Individual Membership - $35/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Family Membership - $60/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Next Generation Membership - $20/year |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Life Membership - $500 one-time |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Ozark Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops, maintains, preserves, promotes, and protects over 430 miles of multi-use backcountry trail in the Missouri Ozarks. It sells annual and lifetime memberships, accepts tax-deductible donations, and runs a volunteer Trail Crew program that organizes trail maintenance and trail building events, supported by corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, and outdoor recreational events such as races and challenge hikes.
Product overview
The Ozark Trail Association operates as a grassroots nonprofit organization managing one of the nation's longest backcountry trails spanning over 430 miles in the Missouri Ozarks. The organization offers a suite of trail-related services including a Trail Directory, Trip Planner, Maps, and Trail Services. It generates operational funding through four membership tiers (Annual Individual at $35, Annual Family at $60, Annual Next Generation at $20, and Life at $500), one-time and recurring Donation Programs, Corporate Partnerships, and Event Sponsorships. The association organizes Trail Maintenance Events, Trail Building Events, and Event Support Services involving volunteer coordination for races like the 3-Legged Monster Race and Devil's Toll Race. The organization is the only entity solely dedicated to protecting and promoting the Ozark Trail, which is designated as a National Recreation Trail.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Annual Individual Membership $35 per year individual membership providing access to OTA benefits and supporting trail maintenance and preservation of the Ozark Trail. Includes voting rights and an automatic renewal option via website account.
- Annual Family Membership $60 per year family membership covering multiple family members for OTA benefits and supporting trail maintenance and preservation of the Ozark Trail.
- Annual Next Generation Membership $20 per year membership for individuals age 26 and under, supporting youth engagement with the Ozark Trail and providing OTA member benefits.
- Life Membership $500 one-time fee lifetime membership providing permanent OTA membership benefits and ongoing support for trail maintenance and preservation.
- Trail Directory An online searchable directory covering over 430 miles of hiking trails in the Missouri Ozarks, divided into (mostly) linked sections, providing users with trail descriptions and access information for planning their outdoor trips.
- Trip Planner An online planning tool that helps visitors organize hiking or outdoor trips along the Ozark Trail, mapping out routes across linked trail sections in the Missouri Ozarks.
- Maps Digital and downloadable maps for navigating the Ozark Trail system, supporting hikers and other trail users with route information across the 430+ mile trail network.
- Trail Services Support services for trail users including safety guidelines, thru-hiking tips, and other resources to help visitors safely navigate and enjoy the Ozark Trail.
- Trail Maintenance Events Volunteer-organized trail maintenance projects including clearing, weed eating, and trail marker installation across the Ozark Trail system, led by a full-time Trail Crew Leader with participation open to all ages and experience levels.
- Trail Building Events Collaborative projects with organizations including Sierra Club, Open Space STL, American Hiking Society, the City of St. Louis Forestry Division, YMCA O'Fallon Park, and the USFS to construct new trail sections and expand the Ozark Trail system.
- Event Sponsorships Sponsorship opportunities for outdoor events including the 3-Legged Monster Race, Devil's Toll Race, OT100 Endurance Run, OT Hike & Float, and trail maintenance weeks, providing sponsors with marketing visibility at events and in promotional materials.
- Corporate Partnerships Partnership program for corporations to support the Ozark Trail with financial contributions, in-kind supplies (gas for chainsaws, tires for trailers, tools), and marketing opportunities targeted at outdoor industry retailers and service providers.
- Donation Program Tax-deductible donation options including one-time and recurring cash donations processed via PayPal, plus integration with the Walmart SPARK Good round-up program, all supporting the 501(c)(3) mission of trail maintenance and preservation.
- Event Support Services Volunteer support for outdoor races and events including aid stations, directional support, and timing assistance, with OTA coordinators organizing aid station teams at events such as those held at Gunstock Hollow.
Quantifiable outcome
- 430+ miles of maintained trail system
Companies that use OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alpine ShopcoreMajor retail partner hosting OTA pint nights, outdoor expos, and promotional events. Logo displayed on website sponsors section. Partner since at least 2019.
- REIcoreNational outdoor retailer partner. Logo displayed on website sponsors section.
- Bass Pro ShopscoreMajor outdoor retailer partner. Logo displayed on website sponsors section. Hosts OTA information booths at expo events.
- ARCO ConstructionminorConstruction company partner. Logo displayed on website sponsors section. Supports trail projects and events.
- UST (United States Tactical)minorTactical gear manufacturer partner. Logo displayed on website sponsors section.
- St. Louis Ultra Runners Group (SLUG)minorRunning group partner. Logo displayed on website sponsors section. Collaborates on trail running events.
- Sierra ClubminorEnvironmental organization collaborating on trail building projects. Joint trail build events at O'Fallon Park with City of St. Louis.
- Open Space STLminorSt. Louis open space advocacy group. Partner on cooperative trail building projects.
- City of St. Louis Forestry DivisionminorCity government partner collaborating on new trail construction in O'Fallon Park.
- American Hiking SocietycoreNational hiking advocacy organization. Co-hosting Vacation Trail Week at Peck Ranch conservation area.
- Public House Brewing CompanyminorBrewery partner for Ales for Trails fundraiser events. $1 from every pint sold donated to OTA during events.
- YMCA O'Fallon ParkminorHost venue partner for cooperative trail building projects in St. Louis.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North Country Trail Association: Volunteer-driven nonprofit supporting the 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail across multiple states. Comparable long-distance trail stewardship nonprofit with similar volunteer, membership, and corporate-sponsor revenue mix.
- Ice Age Trail Alliance: Nonprofit that builds and maintains the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin via volunteers, members, and donors. Closest peer by scale and geography — a single-state long-distance trail association with a comparable membership and event-based revenue model.
- Pacific Crest Trail Association: Nonprofit that protects and preserves the 2,653-mile Pacific Crest Trail, funded by memberships, donations, and corporate partners. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and revenue model — including a national trail designation and strong volunteer base.
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and maintains the 2,194-mile Appalachian Trail through a member-and-donor-funded model. Highly comparable to OTA: similar volunteer-powered trail stewardship, tiered memberships, corporate sponsors, and recurring trail events.
- Continental Divide Trail Coalition: Nonprofit steward of the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail, relying on members, donors, corporate sponsors, and volunteers. Same model as OTA but at a larger scale — a useful comparable for how a long-distance trail nonprofit grows.
Broad incumbents
- American Hiking Society: National nonprofit advocating for all U.S. hiking trails and trail users, with a broader scope than OTA. Already an active partner of OTA (co-hosting Vacation Trail Week) and a useful comparable for national advocacy and program reach.
- Sierra Club: One of the largest U.S. environmental nonprofits with extensive outdoor recreation programming. Already a partner of OTA on O'Fallon Park trail building; comparable as a member-and-donation-funded conservation organization that engages in trail stewardship.
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National nonprofit that converts rail corridors into multi-use trails, advocating and supporting trail networks broadly. Comparable as a similarly structured national advocacy nonprofit with members, donors, and corporate sponsors across a broader trail portfolio.
Emerging players
- Leave No Trace: Nonprofit focused on outdoor ethics and responsible recreation, often co-promoted with trail associations. Comparable as a values-aligned nonprofit serving the same hiking/outdoor enthusiast audience, though its primary product is education rather than trail maintenance.
Regional players
- Missouri State Parks: Government-managed state park system in Missouri providing free or low-cost trail experiences overlapping OTA's geography. Comparable as a competing trail provider in the same regional market — relevant for assessing OTA's ability to convert users into paying members.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION social profiles
Digital presenceOZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION
What does OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION do?
The Ozark Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops, maintains, preserves, promotes, and protects over 430 miles of multi-use backcountry trail in the Missouri Ozarks. It sells annual and lifetime memberships, accepts tax-deductible donations, and runs a volunteer Trail Crew program that organizes trail maintenance and trail building events, supported by corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, and outdoor recreational events such as races and challenge hikes.
Is OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION a public or private company?
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION founded?
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION based?
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION is headquartered in Potosi, United States, in the North America region.
How does OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations, corporate Partnerships, event Sponsorships and event Fundraising.
Who are OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North Country Trail Association, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Continental Divide Trail Coalition. Broad incumbents are American Hiking Society, Sierra Club and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Leave No Trace is listed as an emerging player. Missouri State Parks is listed as a regional player.
Does OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION have an API?
No public API is recorded for OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION.
What industry is OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION in?
OZARK TRAIL ASSOCIATION's product category is Trail Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAADAA, Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators, with a secondary code of MPAKAIAD, Trail Running & Ultra-Endurance Events (Trail Races, Ultras). Its NAICS code is 71219 and its SIC code is 7900.