Ozark National Scenic Riverways

06/11/2026

🚧 Summer Road Improvements at Round Spring 🚧

⚠️ On June 15, work will begin to replace the low water crossing leading to the Round Spring pavilion, playground area, and main parking lot for Round Spring itself. The closure is tentatively expected to last for the remainder of the summer season. Alternative parking near Round Spring Group Campsites 4-8 will provide trail access to the north side of Round Spring.

⚠️ Additionally, the lower river landing at Round Spring is expected to close July 6 for repaving, and the closure is expected to last approximately one week. All visitors getting on or off the river at Round Spring should plan to use the upper landing behind Carr's Store until the lower landing is reopened.

Watch for directional signs as you enter Round Spring Campground. Call Round Spring Ranger Station at 573-858-3297 for more information or updates.

06/11/2026

Come join our TEAM at Ozark National Scenic Riverways!

The Maintenance Division at Ozark National Scenic Riverways is looking to fill a WG-05 Maintenance Worker position that will be located at Big Spring near Van Buren, MO. This is a permanent, fulltime position with the park. Roles of this position will include grounds care, custodial work, routine carpentry, trails rehabilitation, and any general need to keep our park open and accessible to the public. With this job you may be scheduled to work some weekends and holidays. Pay will start at $19.48 per hour. To apply for this position, you must do so through the below USA Jobs link.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/872194800

If you are interested in the position and plan to apply, please read the announcement carefully and fully. There is a section in the announcement that details out the required documents you will need in order to apply including your resume and proof of residency. This announcement will close on June 22, 2026 at 11:59 pm (EST).

If you have any questions about the job, you can contact William Terry via email at [email protected].

06/11/2026

If you've had trouble calling us, we've got a glitch in our phone system. Our main phone line is not picking up incoming calls, but you can still reach us by dialing (573) 944-3163. Sorry for the inconvenience, folks!

05/28/2026

Hey, what are those fuzzy things growing on that tree?

🌰 Those are catkins, the flowers of the Ozark chinquapin chestnut tree. Specifically, these are male flowers that produce pollen, and these photos show the first flowering of one of our two chinquapin trees at Big Spring. These flowers are versatile: they can spread their pollen by wind, but they have a sweet fragrance to attract pollinators to carry their pollen, too!

🌸 Chinquapins form both male and female flowers on the same tree, but a tree normally takes a year or two after its first male flowers appear to produce female flowers, and pollen from another flowering chinquapin is required to produce chestnuts. Only one of our two trees has flowered; that and no female flowers mean no chestnuts this year, but we can still chalk up this small step as a conservation win in the restoration of these rare trees!

🌳 You can learn more about the Ozark chinquapin and the effort to restore it at the Ozark Chinquapin Foundation's website: https://ozarkchinquapinmembership.org/about-the-tree/

Images: Catkins bloom for the first time on a young Ozark chinquapin tree. Credit: NPS / S. Heise

05/22/2026

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, and that means that summer will soon be in full swing! If you're planning a trip and are looking for a smaller, more rustic campground, then you might be interested in one of our backcountry campgrounds, but reserving one of these sites has a few extra steps.

First, all backcountry sites are now reservable (including same day) through https://recreation.gov, but they can be hard to find using the search feature on the home page. Instead of searching the name of the backcountry campground you're looking for, search "Ozark National Scenic Riverways" and click the top result. Alongside our major campgrounds, you'll see backcountry campgrounds sorted by district: Upper Current, Jacks Fork / Middle Current, and Lower Current. Select the district you want and browse the list of sites to find the campground and site that you want.

You can also begin your search on the Backcountry Campgrounds page of our park website at: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/planyourvisit/backcountry-campgrounds.htm

Just scroll down to "Backcountry Campgrounds by River Section," then click the district dropdown menus for links to information and photos for each campground in that district. Each campground information page has a link to the correct reservation page on recreation.gov under the "Reservations" dropdown menu. This is also good route to use if you are planning to use the recreation.gov call center (877-444-6777) to make your reservation, as you will need to be able to tell the operator which district your preferred campground is in.

We hope this explanation helps you find your perfect camping spot this year, and we hope you enjoy your visit!

Image: Backcountry campgrounds offer a quieter, more rustic camping experience. Credit: NPS / W. Marischen

05/19/2026

🚧 Big Spring Boat Ramp Closed 5/20/2026, 6:00am-1:00pm 🚧

🛶 The Big Spring boat ramp will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20th from 6:00 am to 1:00 pm while park staff remove hazard trees in the area.

🚣 Alternative options include the boat ramps at the Van Buren Riverfront Park and at Watercress Park in Van Buren.

05/11/2026

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is grateful to have Ozark Riverways Foundation (ORF) as our official park "Friends Group". They are a hardworking and passionate group dedicated to helping support the park in a wide variety of projects. Their efforts resulted in a generous donation of $10,000 to restore campsites and the shower/restroom facility at Pulltite, which were destroyed in the November 2024 flood. THANK YOU to ORF!!

“The Why”

Yesterday was a beautiful day at Big Rock Candy Mountain Missouri for the Ozark Riverways Foundation’s 5th Annual Rendezvous on the Ridge. In the coming days, we will post lots of pictures of the activities.

But this recent picture may be the most important picture. It is of the reason “why” we host the Rendezvous, why we are an organization at all and our purpose which is for support of the Park, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

We were able this spring to present a $10,000 check to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways for supplies to rebuild the bath and shower house at Pulltite Campground.

It was completely destroyed by the flood in November 2024. For the 2026 camping season it has been totally refurbished and is open once more with the dedication of the Park’s staff getting the work done.

We thank all of our supporters who give when we call for help and the LAD Foundation for grant funds.

Go enjoy our beautiful Current and Jack Fork rivers! Summer is almost here!

Join us in our mission at-
https://www.ozarkriverwaysfoundation.org/get-involved -a-member

05/08/2026

We sincerely appreciate everyone who participated in Junior Ranger Day on May 6th. Students from Mountain View, Summersville, Birch Tree, Eminence, and Doniphan gathered at Alley Spring for an engaging day of learning and exploration. Throughout the event, NPS staff and dedicated volunteer presenters shared their expertise on a wide range of fascinating topics.

Students discovered the wonders of birds of prey, the mysterious Ozark hellbender, and snakes, and learned about recreational opportunities such as horseback riding and paddling. They also gained insight into land management practices like prescribed fire and forestry. Overall, the day provided students with invaluable experiences to deepen their understanding of nature and see firsthand the ways in which people interact with the natural world.

Our thanks to Ozark Riverways Foundation for their financial support and participation in this event, as well as presenters from Missouri State Parks, Missouri Department of Conservation, Pioneer Forest/ L-A-D Foundation, Ozark Trail Association, Back Country Horsemen of Missouri, World Bird Sanctuary, and US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Images: Junior Ranger Day is packed with fun activities for all. Credit: NPS Photos

05/02/2026

Conditions Update: 5/2/26 - 9:08 a.m.

✅All sections OPEN
✅The Lower Current River from Log Yard to Gooseneck is now OPEN

River closures for non-motorized vessels are implemented during elevated conditions to ensure the safety of park visitors. Please note that these closures do not apply within two miles above and below the communities of Van Buren and Eminence, nor do they affect motorized vessels

05/01/2026

Hooray for May!

Conditions Update: 5/1/26 - 8:03 a.m.

🔴 The Lower Current River from Log Yard to Gooseneck remains CLOSED to non-motorized vessels.

✅ All other sections OPEN!

River closures for non-motorized vessels are implemented during elevated conditions to ensure the safety of park visitors. Please note that these closures do not apply within two miles above and below the communities of Van Buren and Eminence, nor do they affect motorized vessels