Current River I - Mile-By-Mile Description
green shaded areas indicate National Park Service Area
Dent County
Montauk Hatchery - Current River headwaters
0.0 Baptist Camp Access on county road off Hwy. YY.
3.3 Ashley Creek on right.
6.5 Parker Hollow on left, fed by Schafer Spring].2 miles upstream.
Shannon County
8.0 Cedargrove Access. Low-water bridge and can1pground.
8.9 Big Creek on right.
11.6 Medlock Spring on right.
12.4 Welch Landing Access.
12.7 Welch Spring, sixth largest in state, on left.
15.7 Akers Ferry Access on Hwy. K. Campground and store.
17.8 Lewis Hollow on right at ford.
20.9 Cave Spring on left. Water at back of cave is 120 feet deep and comes from Devil's Well via nearby Wallace Well Cave. Devil's Well, a sinkhole more than 200 feet deep and partly filled with water, is one mile north of Cave Spring.
23.2 Rock House Cave on right. A meander of a cave, cut off by the deepening river valley, it is now more like a natural bridge than a cave and makes a good shelter.
25.2 Pulltite Access. Campground and store.
26.0 Pulltite Spring and branch on right. Just below on the same side of the river, are several other minor but interesting springs, one of which is the "Fire Hydrant Spring" gushing from a small cave in the bluff.
27.0 Boyds Creek on right.
30.2 Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center on left, formerly the Alton Club. No access or camping.
32.7 Sinkin Creek enters on left. By putting in at The Sinks, where the creek takes a short -cut through a hill via a cave, 6.5 miles of the creek can be floated in good water. Gradient is 10 teet per mile.
34.2 Round Spring access, campground, spring and cavern.
42.5 Big Creek enters on left.
44.7 Bee Bluff on left.
46.6 Jerktail Landing on right, on county road offHwy. 19. Access and campsite.
51.1 Ebb and Flow Spring, reached by walking 0.25 mile up creek on left.
51.5 Jacks Fork River enters on right. Two Rivers Access (Ozark National Scenic Riverways).
52.3 Old ferry site, access and campground.
56.2 Blair Creek on left.
58.4 Hwy. 106 Bridge.
58.7 Powder Mill, an old ferry site, with access and campground.
60.0 Blue Spring, ninth largest in the state, has deepest blue color. Reached by a 0.25 mile walk up its branch on the left.
63.8 Roberts Field access and campground. Rocky Creek enters on right. The Falls of Rocky Creek, 3 miles southwest of this point, are a scenic attraction of the area.

Shannon County
58.7 Powder Mill, an old ferry site, with access and campground.
60.0 Blue Spring, ninth largest in the state, has deepest blue color. Reached by a 0.25 mile walk up its branch on the left.
63.8 Roberts Field access and campground. Rocky Creek enters on right. The Falls of Rocky Creek, 3 miles southwest of this point, are a scenic attraction of the area.
66.1 Spring on left.
66.6 Carr Creek and Cardareva Mountain on left.
69.0 Log Yard on left. Access and campground.
69.8 Beal Landing on left. Access.
72.5 Paint Rock Bluff.
Carter County
77.7 Waymeyer Access on right at mouth of Chilton Creek, on County Road M-151 off Hwy. M.
81.5 Pine Valley Creek, also called Henpeck Creek, on left.
84.3 Watercress Spring Recreation Area. Forest Service and campground.
84.9 Van Buren Riverfront Park Access (Van Buren) and Hwy. 60 Bridge.
89.2 Big Spring. Access and campground. One of the largest springs in the world.
93.5 Clubhouse Landing. Access and campground, on County Road 60-221 offHwy. 60.
97.8 Hickory Landing. Access from Hwy. E at Hunter. Cave Spring-Jordan Spring Branch on left. Jordon Spring, 0.5 mile and Cave Spring, 1 mile up branch.
98.0 Catarac Landing on right. Access on County Road Z-217, off Hwy. Z and Hwy 103.
100.3 Panther Spring on right.
103.2 Bog Hollow. PhiHips Bay and Spring on right. Spring about 0.25 mile from river.
104.2 Gooseneck campground on right. Access on Farm Road 3142-County Road CI0, off Hwy. C.

Current River III -

Green Shaded indicates - National Park Service Area
Tan Shaded inicates - U.S.Forest Service Area
Yellow Shaded indicates - MDC Area
Ripley county
104.2 Gooseneck campground on right. Access on Farm Road 3142-Counry Road C10, offHwy. C.
105.8 Forest Service campground on left. Bagamaw Bay on right. Limited access road.
107.7 Big Barren Creek on right. Twin Springs 0.75 mile up creek.
110.5 Cedar Creek on left. Forest Service campsite in this area.
112.8 Buffalo Creek on right.
113.0 Compton Camp. Forest Service campsite, on right.
118.8 Deer Leap Recreation Area. Forest Service access on left.
119.3 Float Camp Recreation Area. Forest Service access on left.
120.3 Dun Roven unimproved access on right.
123.8 Hwy. 160 Bridge.
124.0 T.L. Wright Memorial Access (Doniphan) on right. Private campground nearby. Stores, meals, lodging in Doniphan.
129.8 Big Island.
135.0 Goose Lake, a lake-like pool of the river.
136.3 Missouri-Arkansas state line.
138.0 Current View. Private access.

Montauk Fish Hatchery - map

Driving Directions

Montauk Fish Hatchery/Trout Park is inside Montauk State Park, southeast of Licking. From Highway 137 turn east on Highway VV and go 10 miles to Highway 119. Turn right on Highway 119 and watch for signs.

Highlights

The hatchery is on the headwaters of the Current River. Facilities/features: 5 fishing jetties, 2 springs (Montauk Springs, Bluff Springs), Montauk Lake (5 acres).

General Information

Region: Ozark

Counties: Dent

For more information call: 573-548-2585

Status: Leased

Additional Information: Picnic areas, shelter houses, camping, interpretive programs, hiking trails, motel, dining provided by the Dept. of Natural Resources at Montauk State Park.

Activities

Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Bird Watching	Eagle viewing is popular during the winter months
Camping in Designated Areas	Provided by DNR.
Canoeing	Below park
Demonstrations	native plant display at hatchery office, stream habitat improvement demonstratons at various locations along the stream
Fishing - Trout	Good population. Rainbow trout are stocked daily from March - October. Catch and release season from November - February.
Highlighted Activities	Kids Fishing Days & Free Fishing Days
Hiking	No MDC designated trails, trails are in State Park
Tours	Hatchery tours are on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend. Each tour begins at the hatchery office at 1:00 pm. Tours for school and special groups can be arranged in advance by calling the hatchery office or e-mailing Tom.Whelan@mdc.mo.gov.

 

Conservation Department Facilities

Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Fish Hatcheryaccessible		1
Fishing Jetty/Platformaccessible		5	Four of the five fishing jetties have disabled parking available.
Parking Lotaccessible		2
Privy/Restroom		1	Disabled Privy/Restrooms are available on Montauk State Park
Staffed Office		1

 

Features

Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Fishing Lake or Pond	Montauk Lake	1	5.00 acres
Other	Lake Trail	1	1.00 count
Spring	Bluff Springs	1	0.00 # gallons per day	10 million gals/day
Spring	Montauk Springs	1	0.00 # gallons per day	43 million gals/day
Stream - Permanent	Current River	1	3.00 miles

 

Land Cover Types

Land Type	Acres	Comments
Wetland	232.00	Fishable Water
Grassland (non-prairie)	10.00
Lakes/Ponds	5.00
Forest and Woodland	27.00
Old Field	2.00
Total Area Acres:	336.00

 

Trail Name	Trail Type	Length
No Designated Trails

Baptist Camp Access - River Access  - MAP
 fishing / canoeing

Cedar Grove Access - River Access - MAP
 fishing / canoeing / picnic area / primitive camping

Welch Landing / Welch Spring - River Access / spring- MAP
fishing / canoeing / Devil's Well / Cave Spring / Welch Hospital in area

Akers Ferry Access - River Access- MAP
fishing / canoeing / picnic area / camping /
Group Camping Sites / public telephone / store

Pulltite Access / Pulltite Spring - River Access / spring- MAP
 fishing / canoeing / picnic area / primitive camping / camping / hiking
55 camp sites / 3 group sites / public telephone / store

Round Spring Access / Round Spring - River Access / Spring - MAP
fishing / canoeing / picnic area / primitive camping / camping / Round Spring Cave in area
55 campsites / 9 group sites / public telephone / store / sanitary dump

Jerktail Landing Access - River Access- MAP
fishing / canoeing / primitive camping

Two Rivers Access - River Access- MAP
fishing / canoeing / picnic area / primitive camping
19 campsites / 2 group sites / public telephone / store

Powder Mill Access - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing / picnic area / primitive camping / hiking
8 campsites / public telephone

Blue Spring - Spring  - MAP
Picnic area

Roberts Field Access - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing / primitive camping

Logyard Access - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing / primitive camping

Beal Landing - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing

Paint Rock Access / Gravel Spring River Access / Spring - MAP
fishing / canoeing

Waymeyer Access - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing / picnic area

Watercress Park / Watercress Spring - River Access / Spring
fishing / canoeing / picnic area / camping

Big Spring Access / Big Spring - River Access  - MAP
fishing / canoeing / picnic area / primitive camping / camping / hiking
131 campsites / 3 group sites / Public Telephone / lodging / sanitary dump / meals

Cataract Landing Access - River Access   - MAP
 fishing / canoeing

Hickory Landing Access - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing / primitive camping /

Gooseneck Access - River Access - MAP
fishing / canoeing / primitive camping / picnic area

Angeline Conservation Area - map

Driving Directions

North of Eminence and extending 15 miles west towards Summersville. Enter from Hwys 19 and 106 or Rte D.

Highlights

This rugged forest and old fields area has a hiking trail and 25 miles of field roads open to horseback riders. It also offers access to the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers.

General Information

Region: Ozark

Counties: Shannon

For more information call: 573-226-3616

Status: Owned by MDC

Additional Information: The Area Manager can be contacted at the Eminence Office. Normal office hours are 8:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. A map of the Lower Ozarks which includes Angeline CA is available at the Eminence Office on Hwy. 19 north of Eminence.

Activities

Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Bird Watching	Interior forest species.
Camping - Walk-in and Backpack	Seasonal closures may apply.
Camping along Roads and Parking Lots	Unless otherwise posted. No amenities are provided.
Canoeing	Access to Jacks Fork and Current Rivers via the Ozark National Scenic Riverways access points.
Demonstrations	Forest and Glade Management Demonstration Sites are found on area
Fishing - Bass	Good population. In the rivers.
Fishing - Goggle-eye	Fair population. In the rivers.
Fishing - Other	Good population. Suckers in the rivers.
Hiking	One mile Lick Log hiking trail and multi-use trail. Also hiking opportunity on interior roads and access trails.
Horseback Riding	Designated horse trail is nine miles long. Also allowed on roads open to vehicles. Groups of ten or more people require a special use permit from the area manager.
Hunting-Deer	Fair population.
Hunting-Dove	Fair population. Variable opportunity in open fields and managed fields. Check with area manager.
Hunting-Quail	Fair population. Variable opportunity in managed fields, glades and woodlands. Check with area manager.
Hunting-Rabbit	Fair population.
Hunting-Squirrel	Good population.
Hunting-Turkey	Good population.

Conservation Department Facilities

Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Fire Tower	Flat Rock	1
Other	Bay Branch Shooting Range	1
Parking Lot		4	Gravel parking areas are located at Bay Branch Shooting Range, at Lick Log Nature Trail and Flat Rock Fire Tower.
Staffed Officeaccessible	Eminence Office	1

Features

Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Designated Natural Area	Pipestem Hollow	1	217.00 acres
Designated Natural Area	Spurgeon Hollow	1	96.00 acres
Designated Natural Area	Alley Sping	1	0.00 acres	Jointly owned and managed with the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Fishless Pond		50	0.00 acres	These small, shallow ponds serve as wildlife watering holes, and aquatic habitat for animals such as salamanders and frogs.
Other	Forty-Acre Sinkhole	1	0.00 count	This unique feature is located on a gravel county road,off Highway 106, just south of the junction of Highways 106 and D, in Shannon County.
Stream - Intermittent		41	0.00 miles
Stream - Permanent	Current River	1	7.00 miles	Much of the Current River miles run through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways which borders Angeline Conservation Area.
Stream - Permanent	Bay Branch	1	1.50 miles
Stream - Permanent	Jacks Fork River	1	0.25 miles

Land Cover Types

Land Type	Acres	Comments
Forest and Woodland	37620.00
Savanna	700.00
Glade	300.00
Old Field	200.00
Total Area Acres:	39245.06

Trail Name	Trail Type	Length
Lick Log Hollow Nature Trail	Hiking (Interpretive)	1.00
multi-use trail	Multi-Use (Hike/Horse)	9.50

Shooting Range General Information

Rocky Creek Conservation Area - map

Driving Directions

Rocky Creek Conservation Area consists of 5 major tracts and several smaller ones. The major tracts may be accessed from highways 106, 19, E and H south and east of Eminence. Check for Department Area Signs along these roads for access to individual tracts.

Highlights

This is a predominantly forested area. Facilities/features: primitive camping, Mill Mountain Natural Area, several intermittent streams, and 2 permanent streams (Current River, Jacks Fork).

General Information

Region: Ozark

Counties: Shannon

For more information call: 573-226-3616

Status: Owned by MDC

Additional Information:

Activities

Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Bird Watching	Rocky Creek is home to many forest interior species and well as seasonal neo-tropical migrants. Opportunities abound for quality bird watching outings on many interior forest roads and trails that traverse through different ecological land types.
Camping - Walk-in and Backpack	Allowed all year.
Camping along Roads and Parking Lots	Camping is also allowed along trails, unless otherwise posted. No amenities provided.
Camping in Designated Areas	Camping in Blue Springs Fields Camping Area. No amenities are provided.
Fishing - Bass	Good population. Smallmouth Bass in Current River
Fishing - Goggle-eye	Fair population. In the Current River
Fishing - Other	Good population. Suckers in Current River
Hiking	Parts of the Current River Section of the Ozark Trail are in east side of the Rocky Creek Conservation Area. Endless hiking opportunities exist throughout the area on forest roads and interior trails, as well as cross country for the more adventurous types. For a map of the Ozark Trail, visit http://www.ozarktrail.com/currentriver.htm.
Hunting-Deer	Good population. Excellent hunting opportunities exist over most of the conservation area. No permanent stands are allowed. State wide regulations apply unless otherwise posted.
Hunting-Dove	Fair population. Small acreages is managed for doves including sunflower and millet plantings in the Blue Spring fields.
Hunting-Quail	Fair population. Quail populations are increasing in forest regeneration areas and other areas of early successional habitat. Rough terrain and thick cover make finding birds difficult.
Hunting-Rabbit	Fair population. Rabbits are found in areas similar to quail and the same challages exist for both species.
Hunting-Squirrel	Good population. Both gray and fox squirrels are abundant over most of the conservation area. Forest interior roads and trails provide access for excellent hunting opportunities.
Hunting-Turkey	Good population. Next to deer hunting, turkey is the most popular game animal pursued on the conservation area. Depending on the brood hatch, turkey populations vary, but many opportunites exist for the dedicated hunter.
Nature Viewing	Many forest roads and trails traverse the conservation area that provide opportunities to view deer, turkey, and many other birds and game species.
Tours	Rocky Creek CA is home to a five mile auto driving tour that highlights forest management practices used in a 1300 acre pine-oak woodland restoration project. Participants can view from an automobile prescriptions including, shelterwoods, pine regeneration, and uneven-age management. Go to http://www.mdc.mo.gov/18430 to download a pdf of the driving tour.

Conservation Department Facilities

Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Boat Ramp - Stream - Other	Blue Spring Launch	1	Undeveloped gravel bar boat launch.
Camping Area - Primitive	Blue Spring Fields	1	Camping area near Current river. No amenities are provided.
Fire Tower	Coot Mountain Fire Tower	1

 

Features

Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Designated Natural Area	Mill Mountain Natural Area	1	40.00 acres	Another 140 acres of National Park Service land is also part of the natural area. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p130-1.htm.
Designated Natural Area	Powder Mill Cave Natural Area	1	100.00 acres	Area contains spring branch and gated cave in a 100 acre natural area. Unique area with good access. Cave has been mapped for over eight miles, the longest mapped cave in Missouri. For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p123-1.htm.
Fishless Pond		91	0.00 acres	Many on the area, considered as wildlife watering holes. Provides habitat for frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians and invertebrates.
Fishless Ponds	Allen Pond	1	0.25
Fishless Ponds	Church Pond	1	0.30
Named Forest	Iron Stake	1	3687.00 acres	Local name for part of the Rocky Creek Conservation Area so named for an old drill pipe (Iron Stake) stuck in the ground.
Named Glade	Open Hollow	1	103.00 acres	High quality dolomite glade woodland complex with active prescribed fire regime.
Named Glade	Big Branch	1	410.00 acres	State notable high quality dolomite glade woodland complex with active prescribed fire regime.
Spring		3	0.00 # gallons per day	Characteristic of karst topography, many un-named springs can be found throughout the conservation area. Outputs vary, but provide an important source of water for many birds and mammals.
Stream - Permanent	Current River	1	0.10 miles	Current River barely touches the area near Blue Springs Fields Camping Area.
Stream - Permanent	Rocky Creek	1	0.00 miles	High Quality pennerial stream, name sake of the Rocky Creek Conservation Area.
Stream - Permanent	Thorny Creek	1	1.00 miles
Stream - Permanent	Bloom Creek	1	0.75 miles
Stream - Permanent	Little Bloom Creek	1	0.25 miles
Stream - Permanent	Little Indian Creek	1	0.75 miles
Stream - Permanent	Indian Creek	1	2.00 miles

Land Cover Types

Land Type	Acres	Comments
Forest and Woodland	36148.00
Old Field	22.00
Savanna	160.00
Glade	1907.00
Total Area Acres:	38236.92

Trail Name	Trail Type	Length
Ozark Trail	Hiking (Non-Interpretive)	9.00

Sunklands Conservation Area - map

Driving Directions

Sunklands Conservation Area is 8 miles north of Highway 17 on Route K, then 1 mile down Route KB. Watch for an area sign at the junction of roads K-B and MDC Trail 360. The area can also be accessed by driving north of Eminence on Highway 19, then 1 mile west on County Road 19-234. Watch for the area sign.

Highlights

This is a predominantly forest area with savanna and glades. Facilities/features: Sunklands Natural Area, numerous small streams, and permanent stream (Current River).

General Information

Region: Ozark

Counties: Shannon

For more information call: 573-226-3616

Status: Owned by MDC

Additional Information: Area Manager can be contacted at the Eminence Work Office. Normal office hours are 8:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday. A map of the Lower Ozarks which includes Sunklands CA is available at the Eminence Work Office on Hwy. 19 north of Eminence.

Activities

Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Bird Watching	Forest interior species.
Camping - Walk-in and Backpack	Seasonal closures may apply.
Camping along Roads and Parking Lots	No amenities provided.
Fishing - Bass	Good population. Current River
Fishing - Goggle-eye	Fair population. In the Current River
Fishing - Other	Good population. Suckers in the Current River.
Fishing - Trout	Fair population. Barren Fork below Twin Springs (Blue Ribbon Area)
Hiking	No designated trails, but good hiking opportunities along interior access trails and service roads.
Hunting-Deer	Good population.
Hunting-Dove	Fair population. Variable opportunity in open fields and managed fields. Check with area manager.
Hunting-Quail	Fair population. Variable opportunities in managed fields, glades and woodlands. Check with area manager.
Hunting-Rabbit	Fair population.
Hunting-Squirrel	Good population.
Hunting-Turkey	Good population.

Conservation Department Facilities

Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Fire Tower	Hartshorn Fire Tower	1
Fire Tower	Shannondale Fire Tower	1
Parking Lot		4	The southeast parking lot located 1.5 miles north of Ink, MO on County Road 325. To access west parking lot, take Hwy. K to County Road K-B and parking lot is located .2 miles east on MDC road 360. The east parking lot is located 1 mile west of Hwy. 19 on County Road 324.The Harrison Tract parking lot is 1/2 mile from Hwy. CC on County Road 258.

 

Features

Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Designated Natural Area	Sunklands Natural Area	1	5746.00 acres	Additional natural area acres include: 36 acres owned by Frank B. Powell Lumber Co., Rolla; 63 acres owned by The Nature Conservancy; and 450 acres owned by the National Park Service. (Total designated natural area acreage = 6,295). For more information, visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/natareas/p122-1.htm.
Fishless Pond		31	5.00 acres
Spring	Twin Springs	1	0.00 # gallons per day	11 CFS/day
Stream - Intermittent	Low Gap Hollow	1	0.50 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Conway Hollow	1	0.70 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Brushy Hollow	1	0.30 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Broad Shoal Hollow	1	0.60 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Jones Hollow	1	0.90 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Wilhite Hollow	1	1.40 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Fillchew Hollow	1	0.10 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Dugan Hollow	1	0.10 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Sugar Tree Hollow	1	0.60 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Patterson Hollow	1	0.40 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Patton Hollow	1	0.50 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Little Field Hollow	1	1.40 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Mill Hollow	1	0.80 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Sugarcamp Hollow	1	0.20 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Hay Creek	1	0.70 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Sumac Valley	1	1.80 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Lewis Hollow	1	3.00 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Hieronymus Hollow	1	2.10 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Boyds Creek	1	5.20 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Pigeon Roost Hollow	1	1.30 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Wallace Hollow	1	0.90 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Carr Hollow	1	1.50 miles
Stream - Intermittent	McHenry Hollow	1	2.20 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Logfield Hollow	1	1.10 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Ink Hollow	1	0.30 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Wolf Hollow	1	3.00 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Fishtrap Hollow	1	0.30 miles
Stream - Intermittent	River Hollow	1	0.50 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Footlog Hollow	1	1.40 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Big Hollow	1	0.20 miles
Stream - Intermittent		34	38.00 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Grassy Hollow	1	1.50 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Click Hollow	1	0.90 miles
Stream - Intermittent	Stick Shoal Hollow	1	0.60 miles
Stream - Intermittent	George Hollow	1	1.20 miles
Stream - Permanent	Sinking Creek	1	0.29 miles
Stream - Permanent	Current River	1	2.60 miles
Stream - Permanent	Barren Fork	1	1.45 miles	Blue Ribbon Trout Stream. Two access points. Upper near Twin Springs, Highway 19 north of Eminence, East 3 miles on Highway A, South on County Road AD at Chrisco Cemetary. Lower area on the Harrison Tract 1/2 mile from Hwy. CC on County Road 258.

Land Cover Types

Land Type	Acres	Comments
Forest and Woodland	35523.00
Savanna	1600.00
Old Field	91.00
Grassland (non-prairie)	25.00
Glade	405.00
Total Area Acres:	37644.57

Trail Name	Trail Type	Length
No Designated Trails

Van Buren Riverfront Park - map

Driving Directions

Take Highway 60 to Van Buren, then Business 60 to Main Street, and go west on Main Street to Riverfront Park.

Highlights

Concrete boat ramp (ADA),
Parking Lot,
Canoe Launch,
Pit Toilets (ADA),
Covered Pavilion with Picnic Tables (ADA)

General Information

Region: Ozark

Counties: Carter

For more information call: 417-256-7161

Status: Agreement

Additional Information:

Activities

Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Canoeing
Fishing - Bass	Good population. Smallmouth Bass in Current River.
Fishing - Goggle-eye	Fair population. In the Current River.
Fishing - Other	Good population. Suckers in Current River.

Conservation Department Facilities

Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Boat Ramp - Stream - Concreteaccessible		1
Parking Lotaccessible		4
Pavilionaccessible		1	Public pavilion. Contact city hall for group use.
Picnic Tableaccessible		3
Privy/Restroomaccessible		1

Features

Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Stream - Permanent	Current River	1	0.10 miles

Land Cover Types

Land Type	Acres	Comments
Total Area Acres:	1.00

Bay Nothing

Located along the Lower Current River, Bay Nothing Boat Launch is one of the most popular river accesses for beginning a float trip on the Lower Current. It is 13 or 14 miles downstream to Float Camp and Deer Leap accesses. Bay Nothing also provides opportunities for fishing, water play, or just relaxing and enjoying the river.

Boat Ramp: Currently Wooden, concrete replacment construction is scheduled for summer 2006. Vault toilets are provided.

Dispersed Camping: Is permitted.

Fishing: Area has smallmouth bass, large mouth bass, goggle-eye and walleye. Fishing requires the appropriate licenses and permits, all regulations apply.

Swimming: Is permitted, but not regulated or managed. No lifeguard on duty. Be aware of the current, hidden rocks and logs, and other potential hazards. Never swim alone.

How to get here:

From Grandin, MO, take Hwy O west to Forest Service Road #3140 for about 11 miles.

Open year-round. No Fees. No trash containers; please pack out all your trash.

Deer Leap Recreation Area

Deer Leap is for those who enjoy “roughing it.” There are no open or grassy areas. The area has small camp sites and parking for vehicles but not large camping trailers. The area is on the east bank of the Current River.

Camping: There are 14 small campsites, each with a table, lantern post and fire ring. Camping fee is $10 per night for a single site. Boat access and Day Use fee is $2 per car/truck or $10 per bus. No water after 10/31. No electricity or sewage disposal. In Summer, on-site host will assist you.

Fishing: excellent for bass, goggle-eye, catfish, walleye.

Boating, canoeing, tubing: Hot summer days attract hundreds of weekend floaters. CAUTION! Current River is swift and has many snags that must be avoided. Wear life jackets! Swift current near Deer Leap may be hazardous! No lifeguard on duty.
Float Camp Recreation Area offers a better swimming area, and a roomier campground, but no boat launch.

How to get here:

From Doniphan, MO, take Hwy Y 4.5 miles north. Campground is on the east bank of Current River.

Open year-round.
The area is open to the public year round. The best season is from May 15 to September 30.

 

It is situated on the east bank of the Current River. Float Camp Picnic Area is one of the most popular sites on the district. Designed to accommodate about 200 people, it may be used by more than 300 people on a really hot weekend. The Float Camp Campground is located adjacent to the Picnic Ground. This is a large, open campground, with little screening between campsites. There's not much solitude or privacy, but you'll have a good opportunity to socialize with adjacent campers.

Campground: 16 campsites, each with table, fire ring, and lantern post. NO WATER. Trash cans or dumpsters and vault toilets are centrally located. No electric or sewage disposal is available. Nightly fees are $10 per campsite, with a 50% discount for anyone who has a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport, a Senior Pass, or an Access Pass.

Picnic Area: covered picnic tables, fire grills, vault toilets, trash cans or dumpsters, playground and water access for swimming and wading. There is no drinking water available. Some of the facilities are accessible to persons with mobility disabilities. Several individual picnic sites provide a table and grill for picnicking under a shade tree. One group picnic area with a pavilion is available on a reservation basis. To reserve the group picnic pavilion, please call ReserveUSA toll-free: 1-877-444-6777 or visit the website: www.recreation.gov. Pavilion rental is $34/day. Day use fee for anyone not staying in the campground is $2 per standard vehicle, buses are $10, and season passes sell for $20, with a 50% discount for anyone who has a Golden Age or Golden Access Passport, a Senior Pass, or an Access Pass.

Boating, canoeing, tubing: Hot summer days attract hundreds of weekend floaters. CAUTION! Current River is swift and has many snags that must be avoided. Wear life jackets! Swift current near Float Camp may be hazardous! No lifeguard on duty.

Swimming, wading, and water play: There is not a developed beach at Float Camp Recreation Area, but this is a popular area for swimming, wading, and water play. The Forest Service does not provide lifeguards, post boundaries, test water quality, or measure water depth or current in this area. Anyone wishing to swim here needs to carefully consider the risks involved, and take steps to assure their own protection and that of other members of their party, particularly children. Even commonly used swimming areas may have strong currents during moderate to high waters, or rocks, drop-offs, or other unseen hazards beneath the surface of the water. The maximum depth of the water varies significantly with the rise and fall of the river. Swim at your own risk.

Fishing: Wade, bank and boat fishing permitted.

Hiking: Woodchuck Trail is a half mile long trail connecting Float Camp Picnic Area with the campground. White Oak Trail is a 1.5-mile loop trail originating at the Float Camp Picnic Area's parking lot.

How to get here:

From Doniphan, MO take Hwy Y north 4 miles. Campground is on the east bank of Current River.

The Campground Section is open year-round, the Picnic Area is open from April 30 thru October 11.

T. L. Wright Memorial Access (Doniphan) - map

Driving Directions

Located on the Current River in the T.L. Wright Memorial Park in downtown Doniphan.

Highlights

There are 2 boat ramps and a picnic area.

General Information

Region: Ozark

Counties: Ripley

For more information call: 417-256-7161

Status: Agreement

Additional Information: Area is maintained by City of Doniphan. Doniphan provides a picnic area, playground, privies, and a parking lot. For area hours and other information contact 573-996-2623.

Activities

Activity (Activity Explanations)	Comments (Population Definition)
Canoeing	Popular take-out point.
Fishing - Bass	Good population. Smallmouth bass in the Current River
Fishing - Goggle-eye	Fair population. In the Current River.
Fishing - Other	Good population. suckers
Fishing - Other	Fair population. Walleye

Conservation Department Facilities

Facility Item	Name	Count	Comments
Boat Ramp - Stream - Concrete		2	Boat ramp and canoe launch.
Parking Lotaccessible		2
Privy/Restroomaccessible		1

Features

Feature Item	Name	Count	Size	Comments
Stream - Permanent	Current River	1	0.10 miles

Land Cover Types

Land Type	Acres	Comments
Total Area Acres:	1.00