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Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Park Hours (Today)

All Day

Big Spring Entrance Station: 8:30AM - 5:00PM

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About the Park

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork rivers are two of the finest floating rivers found anywhere. Spring-fed, cold and clear: they are a delight to canoe, swim, boat, or fish. Besides these two famous rivers, the park is home to hundreds of freshwater springs, caves, trails, and historic sites such as Alley Mill.

Archeology Colonization and Settlement Dams Farming and Agriculture Ranches Great Depression Industry Mills
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What to See & Do

back view of four hikers along a trail, wearing backpacks and carrying hiking sticks with trees
Hiking

About Current River Challenge

Current River Challenge

In Park
A ranger points at cave formations within a dark cave room.
Guided Tours

Round Spring Guided Cave Tour

Discover the amazing world beneath your feet! Round Spring Cave is considered the most spectacular cave within Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Large, varied formations fill over a mile of the passage, which has been well-preserved over the years. There is no better way to learn about Ozark caves than through a tour!

Round Spring Cave60-90 Minutes
A group of visitors practice casting fly rods along the river's edge.
Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Clinics

Join a local fly-fishing legend and learn the art of this gentle sport in a free workshop! Clinics are currently offered for youth and parents. All skills levels are welcome; call (573) 858-3297 for details and reservations. Park Ranger Mark Van Patten will lead the course. Demonstrations cover various fly rod casting methods, proper catch and release techniques, and strategies for fly presentation. Other lessons will discuss equipment, flies, and entomology.

Mt. Zion Church7-8 Hours
Three wild horses run across a grassy field.
Wildlife Watching

See the Wild Horses

Learn about how to safely view wild horses within Ozark National Scenic Riverways! This page contains information on viewing locations and best practices.

Multiple Locations
A leaf bottom trail with vibrant leaves of red, looking down toward the trail.
Hiking

Round Spring Loop Trail

Round Spring Loop Trail.

In Park
A yellow lab dog up close with with a straw hat and badge on hat, dog is on leash.
Hiking

Paws in the Park

Follow along as your dog takes the lead through the trails to new spaces.

In Park

Visitor Centers

A rustic, CCC-era building with a US flag and NPS arrowhead.

Big Spring Entrance Station

Built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), this station serves as a welcome center for Big Spring. Park literature, passport stamps, and information are available at the facility. Visitors can also learn about local history through displays about the CCC.

8:30AM - 5:00PM (573) 323-4236
Red Alley Mill with green foliage and blue water flowing

Alley Mill

Alley Mill is located at Alley Spring. Rangers lead guided tours of the mill or answer questions at the front desk. The facility offers an Eastern National sales area and exhibits of Ozark culture. The building itself is accessible, with ramps leading to the front door.

9:00AM - 5:00PM 5732263945
A brown building with an American Flag flying in front. Trees are visible behind the store.

Alley General Store

Alley General Store is part of the Alley historic community and features Ozark cultural exhibits, cooperating association merchandise sales, and an informational contact station. A 24 hour passport stamping station is located on the screened porch.

9:00AM - 5:00PM (573) 226-3945
A log building sits atop a grassy hillside. Five rangers stand on the front porch.

Round Spring Ranger Station

Round Spring Ranger Station, located along the Current River, serves the upper third of Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This station offers park literature, trip planning advice, and cave tour tickets. Exhibits and videos make this a great place to learn about the park's rivers and caves.

8:30AM - 5:00PM (573) 858-3297
A turtle walks through the grass towards a ranger station. A ranger watches and smiles.

Pulltite Ranger Station

Pulltite Ranger Station is located next to Pulltite Campground on State Route K. Restrooms and showers are available at this location year-round. Visitor Contact Station open weekends Memorial Day - Labor Day. Convenience phone location for reservations and emergencies.

2:00PM - 6:00PM (573) 858-3397

Where to Stay

A large grassy field with a restroom at the end.

Alley Spring Campground

Located on the banks of the Jacks Fork, Alley Spring is our park's largest campground. These sites are often packed in summer, and for good reason: Alley Mill, floating, swimming, hiking, and more await! This campground offers standard sites (electric and non-electric), cluster sites, and group sites. A variety of sunny or partially shaded spots are available. The entire campground is within walking distance of the river, though some sites are closer than others.

🏕 146 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A freshly-mown campground with picnic tables, lantern posts, and a restroom.

Big Spring Campground

Big Spring Campground is located just south of Van Buren, Missouri. The campground offers a variety of sunny or shaded sites, all within walking distance of Big Spring and the Current River. A variety of hiking trails cover the area, making this a great destination year-round. Electric and non-electric sites are available year-round. Sites may be reserved at www.recreation.gov.

🏕 123 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Two campers/RVs sit on concrete pads. A large forest surrounds the campsites.

Round Spring Campground

Round Spring Campground hosts sites in and along the forest, offering a more quiet, intimate experience with nature. This location has easy access to Round Spring and the Current River. Nearby trails connect to Echo Bluff and Current River State Park, making this campground a popular hub for hiking and floating. Electric and non-electric sites are available year-round. Sites may be reserved at www.recreation.gov.

🏕 55 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A map showing campsites, restrooms, ranger station, river access, phone, information

Pulltite Campground

Pulltite Campground is a developed campground. Campsites are nestled in the woods along the Current River, offering a classic campground feel with easy river access.

🏕 55 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
two clear stream join with blue pool in middle of picture, hillsides with green trees, gravel bar

Two Rivers Campground

Two Rivers Campground is located at the confluence of the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers, at the end of V Highway off State Highway 106 in Shannon County, MO.

🏕 22 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Map showing campsites, restrooms, ranger station, roads and river

Akers Group Campground

Group campsites, located at Akers Ferry. The campground is located north of the junction of Highway KK and Highway K.

🏕 4 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A sunny, grassy campsite along a river.

Big Tree Campground

Big Tree is home to 7 campsites: 6 standard and 1 cluster. These sites are all located right along the river, making for a beautiful destination. Throughout the year, campers can enjoy views of the Current River, easy swimming access, and a variety of scenic ecosystems.

🏕 7 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Campers and RVs line a circular drive.

Gooseneck Campground

Nestled on the park's southern boundary, Gooseneck Campground offers well-maintained sites right along the lower Current River. A small inlet provides a great space to see wildlife, while gravel bars support swimming, floating, and more. This campground features a large, flat camping area, making it a popular destination for RVs and campers. Sites closest to the river have unobstructed views of the waterway. Other sites enjoy dappled shade from oaks, hickories, walnuts, and sycamores.

🏕 7 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Two campsites with a mix of dirt and grass. Trees provide shade from above.

Clubhouse Campground

Clubhouse Campground is nestled on the banks of the lower Current River. This remote campground is far off the beaten path, allowing for a rustic experience. Basic amenities and partial shade make for a lovely campground. Visitors can enjoy easy river access and a number of nearby attractions, like Clubhouse Bluff or the old Tram Road. Clubhouse Bluff is located a short drive from the campground.

🏕 5 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A campsite with fallen leaves on the ground.

Cedar Spring Campground

Tucked away on the lower Current River, Cedar Spring is one of the smallest campgrounds in the park. With only two sites, this location has great potential for secluded, private camping. With the river only a few feet away, campers can enjoy swimming, floating, fishing, and more. This campground also gives great views of some stone bluffs, which are illuminated by the sunset. Lastly, a short walk up the road, visitors can watch for wildlife along a large field.

🏕 2 sitesReservable
Book on Recreation.gov

Grubb Hollow Campground

Grubb Hollow Campground is located on the lower Current River, just across the water from Kelley Bluff. This campground offers a handful of sites right along the riverway. With a close proximity to the water, visitors can enjoy swimming, floating, fishing, and more. The woods are also quite pretty throughout the year.

🏕 5 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A grassy campground with a central gravel path.

Powder Mill Campground

Powder Mill is a simple, sunny campground with activities for any time of year. The Current River, the Ozark Trail, and Highway 106 make exploration a breeze! Visitors can enjoy swimming, floating, fishing, hiking, and lovely views of the Current River. Great trails connect to both Blue Spring and the historic Owls Bend area, which is quite beautiful in fall.

🏕 8 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A grassy campground with trees in fall.

Log Yard Campground

Log Yard Campground offers well-maintained campsites in the backcountry of Ozark National Scenic Riverways. On the nearby banks of the Current River, large gravel bars and impressive bluffs await. Also, as one of the darkest areas of the park, this campground makes for fantastic stargazing. Log Yard features a year-round boat ramp. Whether it's gigging, trapping, or a simple day on the river, this campground is most popular with boaters.

🏕 6 sites💧 Water🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A large bluff stands over a cluster of boulders. Clear waters flow from the area.

Blue Spring Campground

Located within a bend of the Jacks Fork River, Blue Spring Campground is a popular destination throughout the year. In summer, visitors can enjoy freshwater floating, swimming, fishing, and more. In winter and fall, nature unveils brilliant colors and large bluffs. Note: Blue Spring Campground should not be confused with the Blue Spring on the Current River, east of Eminence. Ozark National Scenic Riverways does not offer camping at Blue Spring on the Current River.

🏕 7 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A car and tent occupy a campsite surrounded by trees.

Bay Creek Campground

Stretched along the edge of the Jacks Fork River, this campground is the largest backcountry campground in the park. In contrast to nearby Alley Spring, this location offers mostly shaded sites. Each summer, campers are drawn back to Bay Creek by cool waters and lush canopy. In addition to the lovely landscape, the adjacent river is a fantastic place to see wildlife, from Bald Eagles to White-Tailed Deer. Campers, floaters, and hunters all make consistent use of Bay Creek.

🏕 11 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A large gravel bar with a park ranger hat in the foreground.

Bachers Campground

Found just downriver from Blue Spring, this campground is home to deep swimming holes and impressive bluffs. Like other campgrounds on the Jacks Fork, Bachers is a fantastic destination for camping, floating, and more. At the campground, the deep, blue swimming holes invite campers to cool off. Also, about 1 mile downstream, Jam Up Cave is a popular trip for summertime floaters. The whole area is great for viewing wildlife, and fall can be particularly pretty.

🏕 1 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A large bluff lines a shallow river.

Rymers Campground

As one of the smallest, most remote campgrounds in the park, Rymers is loved for its beautiful surroundings. Rymers also serves as a river access point, making floating trips a breeze! Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy river recreation or secluded sites. Like other campgrounds on the Jacks Fork, Rymers sees year-round visitation. In summer, deep swimming holes help campers beat the heat. In fall, trees show off a rainbow of colors. Finally, as winter approaches, tall bluffs reveal themselves.

🏕 4 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A campsite with a fire ring, picnic table, lantern post, and nearby restroom.

Shawnee Creek Campground

Located at the junction of Shawnee Creek and the Jacks Fork River, this campground is a fantastic destination for families. This campground offers a variety of sunny and shaded sites. The shallow creek is a favorite for kids and parents to explore, and a canoe launch allows easy river access. The nearby field offers another unique opportunity: Wild horses are frequently spotted grazing or running around. Shawnee Creek Campground is one of the best places to see this cultural resource.

🏕 6 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
Lush green trees cast shade onto a number of campsites.

Sinking Creek Campground

Located conveniently off Highway 19, Sinking Creek Campground is extremely popular in summer. Each season, thousands of visitors enjoy swimming, sunbathing, floating, and more. A large gravel bar makes recreation a breeze, and with access to Sinking Creek and the Current River, swimmers can enjoy both warm and cool waters. This location is also very close to Round Spring and Echo Bluff, which offer other recreational opportunities. A number of hiking trails pass through the area.

🏕 8 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov
A beautiful river is surrounded by sycamores and other trees.

Cedar Grove Campground

Seated in the northwest corner of the park, Cedar Grove is popular for both recreation and camping. In summer, thousands of people swim or float on the Current River. Further upstream, visitors can also enjoy blue ribbon fishing. Finally, a nearby hiking trail connects to the historic Susie Nichols Cabin. This location sees year-round visitation. In warmer months, the cool river helps visitors beat the heat. In fall and winter, the southern sun keeps campers warm.

🏕 6 sites🚽 ToiletsReservable
Book on Recreation.gov

Getting Here & Transit

How to Get Here

Visitor centers can be found at the following locations: Big Spring Entrance Station - 3 miles south of Van Buren on Highway 103 Alley Mill & Store - 12185 Alley Hollow Road Round Spring Ranger Station - 13209 Round Spring Campground Rd Administrative offices for Ozark National Scenic Riverways are located at 404 Watercress Drive, Van Buren, MO 63965. This location does not offer a visitor center - tourists should instead go to the Big Spring Entrance Station.

Park Amenities

Accessible Rooms
Accessible Sites
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Baby Changing Station
Beach/Water Access
Benches/Seating
Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch
Electrical Outlet/Cell Phone Charging
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit Available
First Aid/Medical Care Available
Gifts/Souvenirs/Books
Grill
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Information

Operating Hours

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Generally, the park grounds are open 24-hours a day throughout the year. Some visitor centers will have different hours depending on season and staff availability. Likewise, certain roads, trails, or river access points may be seasonally closed.

  • MondayAll Day
  • TuesdayAll Day
  • WednesdayAll Day
  • ThursdayAll Day
  • FridayAll Day
  • SaturdayAll Day
  • SundayAll Day

When to Go

Crowd Calendar

Plan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.

Jan

Moderate

Feb

Moderate

Mar

High

Apr

High

May

Low

Jun

Low

Jul

Moderate

Aug

Moderate

Sep

High

Oct

High

Nov

Low

Dec

Low
Low Crowds
Moderate Crowds
High Crowds

Location

Multiple locations - Alley Spring Visitor Center: 12185 Alley Hollow Road, Eminence, MO 65466
Van Buren, MO 63965

Around This Park

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Common Questions

Planning Ozark National Scenic Riverways

These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.

Reservation policies vary heavily by season. During peak summer months, many popular national parks require timed-entry permits or vehicle reservations just to enter the park, or specific permits for popular hikes (like Half Dome or Angels Landing). Always check the official NPS alerts and recreation.gov before setting your dates.