Major city · United States
EminenceEminence, Missouri
Go for 2 nights if you plan to float the Jacks Fork or Current River; 1 night is enough if you only want the town square and a drive-through.
Eminence is a small Shannon County town on the Jacks Fork River, inside the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. People come for canoeing, tubing, horseback riding and hiking, not for city sights. Two nights gives you one full river day and one backup day for rain or low water. One night works if you are passing through on Highway 19.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), winter (many outfitters closed)
- Airports
- STL · SGF · MEM
- Nights
- 2
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Eminence911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Eminence, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyEminence is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are river currents, flash floods after rain, heat in July and August, and long drives on dark…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTL St.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate$8–14
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedCampsite pitch, a night, per personUS$15
- Mid-range bedRiverside cabin, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedRiverside cabin, a night, per roomUS$280
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STL St. Louis Lambert International (About 3.5–4 h by car via I-44 and US-60; the usual gateway for fly-drive trips.) · SGF Springfield-Branson National (About 3–3.5 h by car; smaller and easier to exit.) · MEM Memphis International (About 4.5–5 h by car; an option from the south.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Eminence: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Two highways meet in town, State Highway 19 and Highway 106, and there is no public transport. Distances to river accesses and trailheads are short in kilometres but slow on gravel and curves. Fill the tank in Salem or Winona before you arrive.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Alton, Missouri
goDoor to door: About 30 min
State Highway 19 south, about 30 min by car
Small river town on the Eleven Point; pair with a spring visit.
Van Buren, Missouri
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
Highway 19 south then US-60 east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Current River access and Big Spring; a full day with a float.
West Plains
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Highway 19 south then US-63 south, about 1 h 30 min by car
Useful for supplies and a bigger grocery run; not a sight in itself.
Cape Girardeau
overnightDoor to door: About 2.75 h
US-60 east via Van Buren and Poplar Bluff, about 2 h 45 min by car
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there if you go.
Poplar Bluff
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
US-60 east, about 2 h by car
Supply stop and hospital town; skip unless you need services.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town square and Highway 19
Walkable to breakfast, the saloon and shops; short drive to river access.
Jacks Fork riverfront
Cabins and campgrounds along the river; book early for summer weekends.
Shannon County campgrounds
Public-land camping near the riverways; bring your own water and supplies.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Riverside cabin1 × 2 nights × US$160 | US$320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$110 | US$440 |
| Canoe or raft rental, one day2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Outfitter shuttle, one day2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Fuel, 300 km of driving1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$95 |
| Trip total≈ US$261 per person per day, bed included | US$1,045 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Breakfast plate | $8–14 |
| Burger and fries | $10–16 |
| Milkshake | $4–7 |
| Canoe or raft rental, one daycheck | $40–90 |
| Campsite pitch, one nightcheck | $15–40 |
| eSIM or data plan, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cell signal is patchy outside town; download offline maps before you drive in.
- River levels change fast after rain; check with your outfitter before launching.
- Gravel roads can be impassable for low-clearance cars after heavy rain.
- Summer weekends fill cabins and campsites; book weeks ahead.
- Ticks and chiggers are common in tall grass from spring to autumn.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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EminenceEminence, Missouri
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Eminence; nearest consulates are in St. Louis and Kansas City. US travellers: your own country's embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Canoe rental, one day: $40–90 (check)
- Outfitter shuttle, one day: about $20 (check)
- Fuel, 300 km: about $30 (check)
Say or show
- Where is the river access? — Where is the river access?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is a canoe for the day? — How much is a canoe for the day?
- Is the road passable after rain? — Is the road passable after rain?
- Do you have a table for two? — Do you have a table for two?
- Where is the nearest hospital? — Where is the nearest hospital?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Eminence. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), winter (many outfitters closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for STL, SGF and MEM: last rental-car desk hours, drive times, overnight rung.
- River-day fixtures: outfitter check-in, shuttle times, low-water and flood cutoffs.
- Place pages for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Alley Spring and Big Spring with verified hours.
- Eat pages with last orders for the town square and river-road stops.