Ozark National Scenic Riverways - Missouri

Address:404 Water Cress Drive
Van Buren, Missouri
Tel: (314) 655-1700

Both the sparkling Current River (often called the nation's best floating stream) and the Jack Fork River are protected by the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The beautiful park surrounding the rivers is rich in scenery, wildlife, and natural and cultural history. More than 300 incredible caves are part of the Riverways system and several of them are open for exploration by the public. There are also exciting hiking and horseback trails throughout the park ranging from very easy to strenuous.
The park is packed in peak season with visitors who want to take advantage of the rivers' calm warm waters. Toss in a canoe or tube and join them in a float down the river. Keep a lookout for wildlife including snakes, nearly 200 different bird species, and an abundance of small critters.
A picnic along the shores of the rivers makes a perfect end to a busy day. Ozark specializes in fun, educational activities for kids, so check with the park for updated events and bring the little ones along!

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. Hiking, hunting and horseback riding are also enjoyed in the park. 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, springs and bluffs. Some dry hilltops feature desert-like glades where collared lizards, tarantulas, cacti and other species more typical of the Southwest may be found. 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 and nearly as many springs. 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. There are hundreds of species of plants, ranging from beautiful but rare wild orchids to abundant goldenrod and coneflowers. If you take the time to look, you are sure to discover something wonderful at the Ozark National Scenic Riverways!