Ozark National Scenic Riverways Park Headquarters (No Visitor Center)

Dave Higgins

2024-04

Beautiful National park and well worth the visit to hike or kayak. Stunning mill and springs.

Faith Leon

2023-10

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Jack Keen

2023-06

Great place to visit lots of natural springs, cave springs, homesteads, water mill, hiking and outfitters available for canoe and kayak rentals. Or bring your own and play a day or multiple day overnight adventure they will help make with shuttle service whatever your needs give them a call and start an Ozark river adventure with site that will last a lifetime.

ba tmw

2023-06

B E A U T I F U L. The various sites in the National Park are all amazing, but know that many of the roads are 1.25 lane dirt/sand roads. They are steep and really not for the inexperienced driver. The mill and the Big Springs sites are both easy to access.

Amy Wood Green

2023-05

Beautiful river! Very peaceful! This is probably the most peaceful and most isolated of my kayaking trips. We didn’t pass many people on the river, and it felt like it was ours alone! Pretty incredible! Serene beauty all around for miles and miles and miles.

marcia fortune

2023-05

We spent 3 days on the Current River. Gorgeous river, clear waters & plenty of wildlife. The ice cold water on 90+ degree days feels great. Beautiful springs to explore & plenty of beaches along the river to hang out on & multiple camping opportunities. There are multiple outfitters that offer shuttles but I recommend Windy's. I think most places focus on day trips but Windy's was the most understanding of our lack of knowledge of the area & the want to use our own gear for a multi day trip. (out of the 5 or 6 we contacted)

James Nelson

2023-05

Absolutely picturesque river float. Great hospitality and service. We did the two day float from Cedar Grove to Pulltite and had a blast.Reminder: Sunscreen, squeeter net, hydration.Very clean, park rangers very helpful.

Tony Holder

2023-05

Beautiful area, a short drive from the highway! Plenty of parking, and a nice little hike around the spring! Get the kids out of the car and stretch your legs!

Melanie

2020-05

Beautiful area and so much to see. The springs are amazing. Just remember you will have no GPS, no phone service, no guidance of any kind for most of the area. Map things first. Screen shot your directions. Signs to the springs can be very sparce for some of them.

Kim Paulson

2023-05

I do not have a single thing i would have wanted to be different. It is a truly magnificent place to visit! It's surprisingly easy to find, has great and numerous parking and picnic/bbq opportunities, restrooms are extremely clean. Great hiking trails. I can't wait to come back!

Ray B

2018-05

Love floating down the Current! Beautiful area, generally peaceful, though this year (2017) there was way too much traffic on the river on Saturday, lots of noise and traffic jams. I don’t understand people bringing loud radios to a place that excels for getting away and unplugging. Never any mosquitos, camping is free and plentiful anywhere along the river on the banks. Can’t wait to go back yet again!

Kari Grubb Shomaker

2022-05

Magical view at the end of a crazy day! Like with harmony and chaos you just have to find the balance, same as if it's worth it to get to the spot you want to be then it's bound to be a hard journey bad road even a road block or two but heaven when the journey ends

Keith Hepworth

2024-03

This is some of the best floating/canoeing Missouri has to offer. I first canoed the river as a teenager and just recently completed 20 miles with some Boy Scouts and it was better than I remember.Be sure to plan your trip to include stops at Cave Spring, Pulltite Spring with the old abandoned hospital and the myriad rope swings you'll find along the way. Stay alert and you might catch some glimpses of river otters and beaver. Great Blue Heron are common and you'll see dozens of turtles sunning themselves on partially submerged trees and rocks.Saturdays are very busy so if you can, try to get on the river during the week. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the natural beauty and have fun.A word to paddlers: please leave your bluetooth speakers at home. I take trips like this for the peaceful tranquility and to enjoy the natural beauty. No one wants to hear Kanye or Toby Keith while contemplating the majesty of an enourmous limestone bluff or taking in the stunning blue-green of the swirling waters. Get some earbuds or, better yet, unplug for a while and commune with nature.

Marlena

2023-05

Would of been better had they of had tighter restrictions on the people FLYING through the tubers and kayakers in massive boats as my boyfriend's 15 yr old son almost died getting flipped by someone out there in a boat that didn't even bother to slow down. Won't be going back unless conservation does their job and PROTECTS the RIGHTS of the tubers, swimmers, kayakers and canoers !!!!

Kayla Myers

2017-05

I cannot rave about this place enough. The waters are so clear, you can see schools of fish, crayfish, snails, plants. Even in areas where the river is deep, you can see the bottom. I honestly felt like I was in the rainforest, with the lush growth hanging over the edge of the water and all the wildlife. Ferns were growing out of cliffsides, flowers were in bloom everywhere. I have to say this was a truly magical experience. Unforgettable.

Eric Salas

2019-05

It is a huge national park in the Ozarks of southern Missouri with river systems flowing through it. According to National Park Service, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system.Few places in the Ozarks provide a glimpse of the earth’s turbulent past as well as Rocky falls. The reddish-brown rock was formed as molten rock deep within the earth.

Brethren Accuser

2023-05

Floated the jack forks river and had a great time on fourth of July weekend. Cheap camping fun and very scenic float. This is my 3rd time here

Waruna Thotamune

2023-11

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Jackie Johnson

2019-05

You must see Round Spring Cave! Tickets are offered 30 minutes before tours (currently 10, 12, and 2:00) for groups of up to 15. Adults are $5, kids are $2. There are no reservations, but plenty to see in the area if you have to wait for the next tour (such as Alley Spring or Eminence). The cave is only illuminated by lanterns carried in. We saw two species of cave salamanders, and evidence of extinct cave bears. This was one of the best cave tours I have been to.

Aaron

2020-05

Beautiful park. Hunting and fishing. Great picnic spot. No overnight camping allowed - if the attractive rangers catch you it is a $80 fine. Lots of berries along the path that you are allowed to forage.

Brian S

2023-05

Always a great time getting to camp down there. Lots of wildlife and sandy areas to camp.

Ivan Bartha

2019-05

This is one of the most hidden treasures in our public land system. It has become a favorite for me with the intent of visiting the area every year. Take advantage of the NPS interpretation programs and do not miss floating the Current River!

Tony Malon

2023-05

The one and only clear blue rivers with in all the surrounding states .I met people from 24 different states the two times I've been there this summer . keep ya all updated

James Andreasen

2019-05

Cool, clean water and plenty of things to stop and see on the way. We jumped off cliffs, hiked to gorgeous springs, saw historic sites, and just enjoyed our time on the river.We did over 40 miles in 2 days on kayaks and I can't wait to bring my family back to do it again. Lots of fun. I googled recommend it!

Bobbylee Budde

2020-05

This has got to be one of the most pretty places in the US. It Is for sure a hidden Gem. The Ozarks are amazing a great family vacation for anyone. Great outdoor activities and great little family owned businesses

Jessica Mullen

2023-05

This entire area is absolutely gorgeous! A nature lover's paradise. So many beautiful things to see, trails to hike, and rivers to float!

melanie “Lanie”

2020-05

Blue Spring/Big SpringsBlue spring was one of the most beautiful springs in the area. If you're going to drive there pay special attention to the roads. If you go up 106 from Eminence you go past the bridge about 2 miles up on the right you will see a sign that says Blue Spring trail head. This is the trail head and ALSO the spring entrance. Turn onto that road and at the fork go right towards the trail head. Start walking down the trail from the parking lot(yes there are restrooms in the parking lot) you've got a bit of a hike first you come to a fork in the trail to the right shows hiking, go left. The trail is a bit rough and can be muddy and you have to step across a small creek stepping stones are in place but be prepared to get your feet wet if some needs assistance across. Once you arrive it is incredibly beautiful. Bug spray is a must, Absorine Junior worked great to repel the nats. Lots of ticks up there this year also. One of the bluest springs there. ENJOY!Big SpringsIf your going to Big Springs be advised the bridge is out and will be under construction for most of the 2019 season they said. You cannot enter through the main park entrance. But, if you are coming up the road near the park from the highway (Winona way) there is a church on the left, turn before the church onto a paved road it will take you into the park. Just sharing this because there were no signs explaining this to use we had to ask the construction crews in the area. Big Springs is amazing and huge. Gorgeous pictures. Beware of the bugs bring repellant, restroom are nice and clean handicapped parking. Grounds are nicely maintained and the walk from the parking lot is a short distance and easy. Picnic tables and benches around to relax on.

Michelle Mattes

2019-05

So many beautiful sights. Here are some photos that I shot of places that are connected to Buck Hollow and Blue Springs along the Jack's Fork river.

Shim Casp

2021-05

WARNING: If you follow the Google maps directions to this location you'll drive 35 minutes one way down a gravel and muddy road to a dead end. There is nothing to see at this location. DO NOT USE THIS MAP POINT AS YOUR GPS DESTINATION.Instead look up a specific destination to use within this park, such as Big Spring in Carter Township, MO 63965 or a specific trail or canoe shop.The park is beautiful and when we found the correct location it was worth the drive but I'm giving 1 star because the park itself did not fix this issue and they aren't making people aware of this major error.

jean m russell

2023-05

Some of my favorite places along the current river, some feel new to me, some I return to, like a sacred journey to source year after year. The river gives her gifts (and sometimes takes her due.).