Ozark National Scenic River Custom Search Ozark National Scenic Riverways was created by an Act of Congress on August 24, 1964, to protect 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri. The clean, clear waters of these two beautiful rivers provide excellent opportunities for johnboating, canoeing, swimming, fishing and tubing. Hunting is also an authorized use within the Riverways' boundaries. The landscape is predominantly rural, with broadleaf forests and occasional open fields. The southeast Missouri Ozark Mountains are typified by narrow steep-sided hollows, numerous streams, and bluffs. Much of the area is underlain by soluble limestone and dolomite, giving rise to sinkholes, caves, and springs of a classical karst topography. There are over 300 recorded caves within the boundaries. Sixty per cent of the rivers' flow comes from seven major springs and 51 other springs of various sizes within the drainage basin. Big Spring, one of the largest springs in the United States, has an average flow of 276 million gallons of water per day. The maximum recorded flow in one day was 840 million gallons in June 1928. There are 112 species of fish, 196 species of birds, and 58 species of mammals found in the park. There are also 25 species of snakes found in the park, including 4 poisonous species.     CONTACTS Email - OZAR_Superintendent@nps.gov Fax- 573-323-4140 Write to 404 Watercress Drive PO Box 490 Van Buren, MO 63965 Phone Headquarters - 573 323 4236 Headquarters (TDD) - 573 323 4270 Round Spring Cave Information - 573 858 3297, ext 23 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Ozark NSR is open year around. There is no formal visitor center for the park, although the Alley Mill is open to provide information in the summer, and the park headquarters in Van Buren is open year round during business hours. The Superintendent's Office is located at Park Headquarters at 404 Watercress Drive in Van Buren, Missouri. Hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Information is available at the Headquarters information desk. Also, EASTERN NATIONAL, a cooperating non-profit association, sells books and other items representative of the natural and cultural resources of the Ozark region and the park. These publications are also available through mail order at the park address. Getting There PLANE - The nearest commercial airports are Saint Louis, Memphis and Springfield. CAR - The area is best reached via Interstate 44 or U.S. Route 60. Weather & Climate Summers are hot and humid. Good sun screen and insect repellent are a must! Ticks are the most prevalent insect problem. The area is subject to severe thunderstorms, torrential rains, and flooding at any time of year. Winters are generally cool with variable precipitation. Accessibility Most developed areas have rest room facilities which are accessible. Accessible camping sites have been developed at Big Spring, Alley Spring, Round Spring and Pulltite Campgrounds. An accessible trail and picnic site has been developed at Big Spring and Round Spring. For more information on accessible facilities, call or write the park. 573-323-4236 Getting Around Main roads throughout the park are well maintained state highways. These are hilly and winding, so be careful and take your time! Roads into backcountry areas are typically dirt and less maintained. Some are suitable for passenger vehicles and RVs, some are not. Please inquire locally before heading off on dirt roads in the area. A dirt road that was fine last year may be muddy or even washed out due to a recent storm. Ask at ranger stations, sherrif's offices, canoe rentals or local businesses for information. FEES/PERMITS Activity Fee CAMPGROUND Call 573-323-4236 for reservations. ROUND SPRING CAVE TOURS All children must be accompanied by an adult. School groups should call ahead: 573-858-3297, ext 23. Reservations are not accepted for private groups. Tours are limited to 15 people, tickets go on sale 30 minutes before each tour at the cave. Tours are at 10:00 and 2:00 daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please wear sturdy footwear and dress warmly, as it is about 54 degrees in the cave. CAMPING Alley Spring Open All Year 162 family sites that can accomodate a maximum of 6 persons and two tents. These are on a first come, first served basis. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites, call (573)323-4236. Fees depend on the size of the party. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups. For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 Big Spring Open All Year 123 family sites that can accomodate a maximum of 6 persons and two tents. These are on a first come, first served basis. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites, call (573)323-4236. Fees depend on the size of the party. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups. For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 Pulltite Open All Year Fifty five family sites that can accomodate a maximum of 6 persons and two tents. These are on a first come, first served basis. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites, call (573)323-4236. Fees depend on the size of the party. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups. For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 Round Spring Open All Year Sixty family sites that can accomodate a maximum of 6 persons and two tents. These are on a first come, first served basis. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites, call (573)323-4236. Fees depend on the size of the party. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups. For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 Two Rivers Open All Year 19 family sites that can accomodate a maximum of 6 persons and two tents. These are on a first come, first served basis. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites, call (573)323-4236. Fees depend on the size of the party. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups. For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 For More Information on this campground please call 573 323 4236 LODGING Big Spring Cabins 14 rustic cabins built by the CCC. Accomodates 2 - 8 people. Feature one or two bedrooms and bath, stove, refrigerator and small outside grills. Screened in porches. Restaurant nearby. For More Information on this lodging please call 573-323-4332 Lodging Around the Ozark National Scenic Riverways Open All Year There are numerous motels, guest houses, bed & breakfasts, cabins and private campgrounds in the communities around the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. FACILITIES Museums ALLEY MILL Phone - 573-226-3945 Location - Located on Missouri Route 106, six miles west of Eminence, Missouri. Special Programs - Bluegrass and mountain music concerts are held each summer. Nature hikes and evening slide shows are held nearby the Alley Spring Campground. Informal tours of the building are held anytime by request. Exhibits - The Alley Mill was built in 1894. Much of the original miling equipment is still in place, although the Mill no longer operates. Exhibits explain the life and culture of the Ozarks. Available Facilities - Exhibits, book and postcard sales, free literature. No restrooms in the Mill. STOREYS CREEK ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE Phone - 573-226-3945 Location - Located within walking distance of Alley Mill, six miles west of Eminence, Missouri on State Route 106. Closures - Open on summer weekends. Grounds always open, but access into the school is limited. Exhibits - Traditional one room school. See how the 'three R's' were taught in the Ozarks and throughout rural America until recently. Visitor Centers WATERCRESS HEADQUARTERS Open All Year 8:00 - 4:30 Phone - 573-323-4236 Location - Located at 404 Watercress Drive in Van Buren, Missouri. Directly across the street from the Van buren High School. This is just east of town on Main Street, also known as 'Old Route 60.' Closures - Closed Federal Holidays Exhibits - Exhibits on the resources and history of the Ozarks, including interactive map of the area. Informational brochures and sales items such as books, videos, postcards, etc are available. Available Facilities - Information, restrooms. Forest Service campground and river access nearby at Watercress Park.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Ozark National Scenic River.   Campgrounds Near Ozark National Scenic River: Big Springs River Camp, Van Buren, 0 miles away Cave Springs Campground, Van Buren, 0 miles away Deer Run Campground and Canoe/Tube Rental, Van Buren, 0 miles away Big Spring River Camp, Van Buren, 1 miles away Current River Outfitters and Campground Inc., Van Buren, 1 miles away Hawthorne Landing Canoe & Tube, Van Buren, 1 miles away Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Van Buren, 2 miles away   Marinas Near Ozark National Scenic River: Webb Creek Marina, Ellington , 19 miles away   Hotels Near Ozark National Scenic River: Days Inn Doniphan, Doniphan , 23 miles away Super 8 Poplar Bluff Missouri, Poplar Bluff , 40 miles away Holiday Inn POPLAR BLUFF, Poplar Bluff , 40 miles away Comfort Inn Poplar Bluff, Poplar Bluff , 41 miles away Drury Inn Poplar Bluff, Poplar Bluff , 41 miles away Plain & Fancy Bed & Breakfast, Ironton , 41 miles away Days Inn Suites Pocahontas, Pocahontas , 42 miles away   Ski Areas Near Ozark National Scenic River: Hidden Valley, Missouri , 88 miles away, 250 foot drop, 6 lifts, 9 runs   Whitewater Near Ozark National Scenic River: Black River, Wayne Butler County , 17 miles away, Class I - 37.5 miles long (Clearwater Dam to Highway W) Big Creek, Iron Wayne County , 28 miles away, Class I-II - 19.2 miles long (Highway K west of Annapolis to Sam Baker State Park)   Public Lands Near Ozark National Scenic River: Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri , 31 miles away Sam A. Baker State Park, Missouri , 36 miles away Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri , 39 miles away   Golf Courses Near Ozark National Scenic River: Deer Run Golf Course & Country Club, Van Buren , 0 miles away