Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-23 to 2026-12-17; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Picnic areas, Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

At the park

• Visitor center exhibit
• Camping activity
• Picnicking activity
• Caves & caverns scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water
• Swimming water

Shows and experiences

• Historic sites & museum

Events

• DarkSky Missouri Festival 04:00 PM–11:00 PM · Big Spring is located approximately 3 miles south of Van Buren on Highway 103. Daytime activities for the DarkSky Missouri Festival will be centered around the Big Spring Pavilion at Big Spring. Night time activities will be conducted in the field a few dozen yards north of the pavilion. It is preferred that vehicles traveling to Big Spring after dark during the festival use Peavine Road to approach the area from the north. Peavine Road turns off of Highway 103 approximately 1 mile south of Van Buren and a lighted highway sign will be placed at the junction to provide direction.

Before you go

First aid

In-park (mapped location) — First aid station marked on the park map. Confirm the current location with any team member on arrival.

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

⚠ Caution: River Ferry at Akers (on State Highway K) CLOSED until further notice

The Akers Ferry on State Highway K will not be in service until further notice.

⚠ Park closure: Round Spring Pavilion Parking Area Closed

The parking lot for the Round Spring Pavilion and for Round Spring itself is CLOSED for the remainder of 2026 while the low water bridge over Spring Valley Creek is rebuilt. Alternative parking near Round Spring Group Campsites 4-8 will provide trail access to the north side of Round Spring.

Park alert: Reservations Required for All Campgrounds

As of January 1, 2025, ALL developed campsites will be available through reservation ONLY. These include Pulltite, Round Spring, Alley Spring, Big Spring, Two Rivers, and Akers. Reservations must be made through recreation.gov (online or by calling).

Park alert: Paving Work Ongoing Throughout the Park

Paving work is being done throughout Ozark National Scenic Riverways during the 2026 summer season, including at Alley Spring, Round Spring, Pulltite, and Big Spring. Watch here and on our park Facebook page for updates, as roads and campground loops may close and reopen depending on work progress.

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.

Weather & 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.

Visitor center

Alley General Store

Visitor center

Alley General Store

Visitor center

Alley General Store

Visitor center

Alley General Store — Alley General Store is open from Memorial Day through the end of October. The store is closed during fall/winter. — The Alley General Store is located just off State Highway 106, six miles west of Eminence, MO. When driving on 106, look for the sign reading "Visitor Information."

Visitor center

Alley Mill

Visitor center

Alley Mill

Visitor center

Alley Mill

Visitor center

Alley Mill — Alley Mill is open daily during the summer season, typically from Memorial Day Weekend through the end of October. — Alley Mill and General Store are located at Alley Spring. Alley Spring is found 6 miles west of Eminence, Missouri, on State Highway 106. To reach Alley Spring from Eminence, head west out of town on State Highway 106. Drive for roughly 5.5 miles, at which point you will cross a small bridge over the Jacks Fork river. Further down the road, you will see a parking lot on the right-hand side. Park…

Visitor center

Big Spring Entrance Station

Visitor center

Big Spring Entrance Station

Visitor center

Big Spring Entrance Station

Visitor center

Big Spring Entrance Station

Facilities on the park map

5 bench, 1 changing table, 2 defibrillator, 5 first aid kit, 1 first aid station, 6 picnic area, 17 restroom, 30 visitor information, 1 water fountain.

Where to stay

• 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 · 6 campsites · Accessibility: The restroom facility is accessible. Otherwise, there are no ADA campsites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring…
• 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 campsites · Accessibility: Not accessible by wheelchair.
• Broadfoot Campground Broadfoot Campground is nestled between the Current River and a huge field. This location offers a mix of sunny and shady sites, all found right on the water's edge. Though vehicles cannot reach the river, visitors still enjoy swimming, fishing, and more. At night, campers can enjoy amazing views of the moon and stars. As part of the park's horse trail network, Broadfoot also features a horse stag · 4 campsites · Accessibility: There are no ADA campsites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring Campground instead.
• 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 campsites · Accessibility: The restroom facility is accessible. Otherwise, there are no ADA camp sites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring…
• Jerktail Campground On summer days, Jerktail is a bustling location for floating, swimming, and recreation. The Current River, huge gravel bars, deep swimming holes, and impressive bluffs draw visitors year after year. At night, campers can enjoy beautiful night skies and true Ozark seclusion. Jerktail Campground is one of the most remote locations in the park. Under the right conditions, visitors can see the Milky W · 3 campsites · Accessibility: The restroom can be reached by foot or vehicle. Otherwise, there are no ADA campsites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit…
• 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 · 6 campsites · Accessibility: The bathroom facility is accessible. Otherwise, there are no ADA camp sites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring…
• 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 walki · 146 campsites · Accessibility: There are 2 accessible sites (#609 and #217). Both are located near accessible restrooms, with paved walkways to those facilities.
• 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 · 55 campsites · Accessibility: Round Spring campsite #9 is accessible, with paved access to a nearby accessible restroom facility.
• 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-Tail · 11 campsites · Accessibility: The bathroom facility is accessible with an accessible parking space. Otherwise, there are no ADA camp sites within this campground. For nearby accessible…
• 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 offe · 8 campsites · Accessibility: The restroom facility is accessible. Otherwise, there are no ADA campsites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring…
• 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 · 4 campsites · Accessibility: The restroom facility is accessible with an accessible parking space. Otherwise, there are no ADA camp sites within this campground. For nearby accessible…
• 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 campsites · Accessibility: Sites 32 and 51 are accessible. Restroom facilities and showers are accessible.