Ozark National Scenic Riverways Park Headquarters

Beautiful scenic drive in the Ozarks, with so many things to see along the way. We picked the Old Mill, Blue Spring, and Rocky Falls. I was not disappointed. The colors of the water are surreal.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

Beautiful place to spend some quality summer time.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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

Blue Spring/Big Springs

Blue 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 Springs

If 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.

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.

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.

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

By far one of the most beautiful hiking trails and auto trails Missouri has. You can stop and see many springs like Big Springs, Alley Spring, and Round Spring. I come to do this tour every year and it never fails to amaze me.

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.

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.