ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mark Twain National Forest

Okay kiddo, have you ever been to a really big forest, like the ones with lots of tall trees and animals living there? The Mark Twain National Forest is one of these big forests that covers a lot of land in Missouri, USA.

The forest is named after a famous writer, Mark Twain, who was from Missouri and wrote many famous books, like "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn".

The Mark Twain National Forest has lots of different things to see and do inside it. There are over 750 miles of trails where people can go hiking, biking or horse riding! There are also many rivers and lakes where people can go swimming, kayaking or fishing.

The forest is also home to many different types of animals, like deer, bears, foxes, and more! People who visit the forest can also see beautiful waterfalls, caves, and rock formations.

But, it's not just a fun place for people to visit - it's also really important for the environment. The Mark Twain National Forest helps provide clean air and water for people and animals who live nearby. It also helps to protect the homes of the animals who live in the forest.

So, to sum it up, the Mark Twain National Forest is a really big forest with lots of cool things to see and do. It was named after a famous writer, Mark Twain, and is important for the environment and the animals who live there.