National park · United States
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Entry is free — you pay for floating, not for the gate. Float the Current River from Akers or Pulltite on a weekday in May or September; hike the 1.5 mi Alley Overlook loop for the mill view; skip July–August weekends.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
324 km²125 sq mi
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 324 km²125 sq mi
- About 80,000 acres (324 km²) along roughly 134 mi of the Current and Jacks Fork (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Ozark National Scenic Riverways protects the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers in southeast Missouri — spring-fed water, bluffs, caves and gravel bars, with no entrance station and no gate. Most visitors come to float: canoe, kayak or raft, one to three days, camping on gravel bars. Walkers get short spring-and-mill trails and a section of the 225 mi Ozark Trail. The park is rural: towns are small, phone signal is patchy, and the nearest airports are 2.5–3 h away.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
324 km²125 sq mi · national park since 1964
About 80,000 acres (324 km²) along roughly 134 mi of the Current and Jacks Fork (check).
Why go
- Spring-fed rivers you can float for a day or camp beside for three, with no entrance fee.
- Alley Spring and Big Spring are two of the largest springs in the Ozarks, both a short walk from a car park.
- Gravel-bar camping lets you sleep on the river with no reservation and no facilities.
- Short bluff-top loops (Alley Overlook, Blue Spring) give the river views without a boat.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold; most outfitters closed
- FebCold, wet; quiet
- MarWater high and fast; camping fees start mid-month
- AprWildflowers; river still high
- MayWarm water, green hills, before school holidays
- JunWarm; weekends busy
- JulHot and crowded; float early
- AugLow, clear water; busiest month
- SepWarm days, thinner crowds
- OctFall colour; cool nights
- NovQuiet; outfitters wind down
- DecCold; check what is open
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild horsesAll year · Roam several areas of the park; keep distance and do not feed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elk (Peck Ranch area, outside the park core)Sep–Oct · Reintroduced from Kentucky in 2011; viewing is seasonal and often by managed access (check). | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| WildflowersApr–Jun, Sep · Blooms run nearly year-round; April–May is the strongest show. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | no | no | no |
| Ticks and chiggersMay–Sep · Present throughout the Ozarks; long trousers and repellent help. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Springfield, MO (SGF)
US 60 east to Van Buren, or US 60 to Winona then MO 19 north to Eminence.
2.5 h
From St Louis, MO (STL)
I-44 southwest to Rolla, then MO 19 south through Salem.
3 h
From Memphis, TN (MEM)
I-55 north to Sikeston, then US 60 west to Van Buren.
3 h
From Southeast Missouri
Region overview, towns and other stops.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Current River (Montauk to Two Rivers) | The clearest, fastest stretch, fed by Montauk Spring; the classic day float. | Public access points; outfitter shuttles. |
| Lower Current River (Two Rivers to Van Buren) | Wider, slower water past Big Spring and the Owl's Bend bluffs. | Public access points; boat traffic in summer. |
| Jacks Fork River | Narrower, quieter river through Eminence country, with Alley Spring on its bank. | Public access points; shallow in late summer. |
| Big Spring and Van Buren | Park headquarters, visitor centre, Big Spring and the historic CCC district. | Open by road; seasonal lodge and campground. |
| Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry | Remote state-managed land west of the park, crossed by the Ozark Trail. | Foot and horse only on trails. |
Sketch map
- 1Van Buren (park headquarters) · Headquarters≈36.996, 91.015Map ↗
- 2Big Spring · Viewpoint≈36.951, 90.994Map ↗
- 3Alley Spring and mill · Viewpoint≈37.153, 91.444Map ↗
- 4Eminence · Town≈37.151, 91.358Map ↗
- 5Akers ferry · Gate≈37.376, 91.554Map ↗
- 6Pulltite Campground · Sleep≈37.327, 91.483Map ↗
- 7Powder Mill Campground · Sleep≈37.200, 91.160Map ↗
- 8Rocky Falls · Viewpoint≈37.090, 91.200Map ↗
- 9Owl's Bend · Viewpoint≈37.030, 91.130Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Free | person | No entrance fee; the park is free to enter by road. |
| Canoe or kayak rental, one day | US$50–90 | boat | 2026 estimate; includes shuttle, varies by river section and season (check). |
| Camping, developed campground | US$10–25 | night | 2026 estimate; fees charged roughly Mar 15–Nov 15 (check). |
| Gravel-bar camping | Free | night | Free; no facilities, no reservation. |
| Missouri fishing licence | US$10–50 | person | 2026 estimate; required to fish, sold by the state (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping in developed campgrounds no permit
Floating no permit
Fishing permit or guide
Park rules
- Glass containers
- Not allowed on the river, on trails, within 50 ft of a stream or river bank, or in caves.
- Caves
- Do not enter caves; historic structures and mines are fenced off. White-nose syndrome is the reason (check).
- Cliffs and bluffs
- Do not climb bluffs or stand near cliff edges.
- Campfires
- Allowed on gravel bars with care; use a portable stove where possible and fully extinguish fires.
- Water
- Never drink untreated spring or river water; bring a filter or supply.
- Diving and jumping
- Do not dive or jump into the river — shallow water and submerged logs and rocks.
Where to stay
In the park
Park campgrounds (Pulltite and others)
Thirteen drive-in campgrounds, mostly first-come, first-served and open year round; Pulltite has 15 sites, two accessible, with water and flush toilets April–October.
In the park
Gravel bars
Free primitive camping along the river; no facilities, no reservation.
Near the park
Van Buren and Eminence
Small-town motels, cabins and outfitters; the practical base for a first visit.
Near the park
Big Spring area lodging
Seasonal lodge and cabins in the historic CCC district (check opening dates).
Safety
Fast-rising water after local rain high
Lightning on the river medium
Submerged rocks and logs medium
Ticks, chiggers and poison ivy medium
Heat and remoteness medium
Accessibility
- Pulltite Campground has two accessible campsites; several drive-in campgrounds have accessible sites (check).
- Alley Spring, Big Spring and the mill sites are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- The river itself is not accessible for wheelchair users; outfitters do not generally offer accessible launches.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out everything, including food waste; gravel bars have no bins.
- Use a reusable water bottle and refill at campground taps rather than buying cases of plastic.
- Keep fires small and use existing rings; bring a stove when the area is dry.
- Give wild horses and elk space and never feed them.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ozark National Scenic Riverways?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate — you drive in. You pay for what you use: canoe or kayak rental with shuttle (roughly $50–90 a day, 2026 estimate), developed campground fees (about $10–25 a night, charged roughly Mar 15–Nov 15), and a Missouri fishing licence if you fish. Gravel-bar camping is free.
What are the best hikes in Ozark National Scenic Riverways?
For a short walk, Alley Overlook Trail (1.5 mi round trip) climbs above Alley Spring mill, and Blue Spring Trail (1.8 mi) follows the Current River from Powder Mill Campground. Cave Spring Trail (4.6 mi) from Devil's Well is the quiet half-day option. Long-distance walkers use the Ozark Trail, which crosses the park past Rocky Falls, Klepzig Mill and Owl's Bend.
When is the best time to visit Ozark National Scenic Riverways?
May, September and October. May has warm water and green hills before the school holidays; September and October bring warm days, fall colour and thinner crowds. July and August are the busiest and hottest, and weekends then are the worst of it. March and April often mean high, fast water.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
Most drive-in campgrounds are first-come, first-served and open year round, so you can usually find a site outside summer weekends. Gravel-bar camping along the river needs no reservation and has no facilities. In July and August, arrive early on a Friday.
Can I swim in the Current River?
Yes, and it is one of the main reasons people come. There are no lifeguards, so never swim alone or in high water, and do not dive or jump — submerged logs and rocks are the real hazard. Glass containers are banned on the river and within 50 ft of the bank.
How do I get there without a car?
It is hard. The park sits 2.5–3 h by road from Springfield, St Louis and Memphis, and there is no park shuttle. Most visitors drive and then use an outfitter's shuttle for the river. If you are flying in, Springfield-Branson (SGF) is the shortest drive.
Are there caves to visit?
There are hundreds of caves in the park boundary, but you should not enter them — they are closed for safety and to protect bats. Devil's Well is a collapsed cave you can look into from the trail, not a cave tour.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go