🏕️National Park Data
Sunset picture with high vantage point overlooking river with fall colors and sun setting in distanc
A rocky "shut-in" with a modest waterfall.
A woman paddles down a river while wearing a personal flotation device.
fall colors on leaves of trees surrounding a creek with an old wooden mill on the right
a red mill with snow on roof with a stream emanating from it.
brown rocks with water flowing over like a waterfall
National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Missouri

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
Van Buren, MO
📞
Visitor Center
(573) 323-4236

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.

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About Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a national scenic riverways located in Missouri. 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 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.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Ozark is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

Ozark National Scenic Riverways offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, Stargazing, and 38 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Auto and ATV
✅ Scenic Driving
✅ Astronomy
✅ Stargazing
✅ Boating
✅ Motorized Boating
✅ Camping
✅ Backcountry Camping
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Car or Front Country Camping
✅ Group Camping
✅ RV Camping
✅ Caving
✅ Fishing
✅ Freshwater Fishing
✅ Fly Fishing
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Hiking
✅ Backcountry Hiking
✅ Front-Country Hiking
✅ Horse Trekking
✅ Horseback Riding
✅ Hunting and Gathering
✅ Gathering and Foraging
✅ Hunting
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Kayaking
✅ Stand Up Paddleboarding
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Playground
✅ Tubing
✅ River Tubing
✅ Swimming
✅ Freshwater Swimming
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching
✅ Park Film
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store
✅ Gift Shop and Souvenirs

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Ozark

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Ozark

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Ozark before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 2 active alerts for Ozark. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Ozark get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Ozark. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ozark

The entrance fee for Ozark National Scenic Riverways is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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