About Ozark
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.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Midwest
- State
- Missouri
- Designation
- National Scenic Riverways
- Entrance fee
- None listed
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Ozark.
Entrance fees
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.
Hours
Open 24 hours a day, every day.
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.
Weather and when to go
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is located in southeastern Missouri. Summer temperatures generally range from 75-100 degrees (°F) with high humidity. Winter temperatures generally range from 0-50 (°F) degrees with periods of intermittent freezing and snow. Periods of excessive heat are typical in summer, while heavy rains or flooding can occur throughout the year. Be sure to plan accordingly when camping, hiking, or floating.
Getting there
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.
Contact the park
- Address
- Multiple locations - Alley Spring Visitor Center: 12185 Alley Hollow Road, Eminence, MO 65466, Big Spring Entrance Station: Hwy 103, Van Buren, MO 63965, Admin…, Van Buren, MO 63965
- Phone
- (573) 323-4236
- Official site
- nps.gov/ozar
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Ozark
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Ozark
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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About Current River Challenge
Current River Challenge
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Round Spring Loop Trail
Round Spring Loop Trail.
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Paws in the Park
Follow along as your dog takes the lead through the trails to new spaces.
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Refresh at Big Spring
Rejuvenate your mind and spirit at Big Spring while embracing the soothing water sounds.
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A Detective in Nature
Unearth the secrets of nature with your own journey through Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
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Picture This
Experience the wonder of nature’s scale from the smallest details to the openness of the sky and waters.
Campgrounds in Ozark
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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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,…
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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 Bi…
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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 Spr…
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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 a…
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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.
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Akers Group Campground
Group campsites, located at Akers Ferry. The campground is located north of the junction of Highway KK and Highway K.
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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 th…
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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…
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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. B…
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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…
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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 t…
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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!…
What to pack for Ozark
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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