Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways in southern Missouri is definitely an oasis for outdoorsmen across the Midwest. Well-known because of its springs, caves, and clear rivers, this national park has something to provide for everyone. The list of recreational opportunities is long and varied. It contains canoeing, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and hiking. The springs and mountains are beautiful beyond describing, and many visit the park simply to have a look.

Canoeing

The park includes a few of the most used canoeing water anywhere in the world. The Current and Jacks Fork River are heavily spring-fed, and are navigable through the entire year. Between the two rivers, the park provides about 120 miles of floatable water. The rivers are crystal clear, cool, and have a blue-green color. Any float on either river will get you past mountains, springs, and bluffs. There are many gravel bars on the way that are perfect for picnicking, camping, or perhaps relaxing. You will find no rapids on the rivers that pose a critical threat, although fast riffles and shoals are common https://pursuingoutdoors.com/. Many canoe rentals service the river, so finding a ship and a shuttle is not a problem. Here's a few of the very special floats.

JacksForkRiver: Buck Hollow to Rhymer's Landing

This 9 mile float on the top of Jacks Fork River flows via a beautiful canyon. The river is relatively small and fast moving. The water is a series of fast riffles and deep pools, all of which are extremely attracting the eye. This area of the river is quite remote, and few floaters take advantage of this beautiful stretch of water. Fishing for smallmouth bass and sunfish is excellent. Only small springs feed the river this far upstream, and it's best floatable in the spring and fall. During the summertime, floating is achievable if you are willing to drag through some riffles.

JacksForkRiver: Eminence to Two Rivers

This 8 mile float on the reduced Jacks Fork River is one of the very beautiful (and popular) floats in the park. Flowing through many different small mountains and deep valleys, scenery is amazing. The low Jacks Fork is quite wide and deep, nevertheless the water is surprisingly clear and cool. You will discover many more floaters than further upstream, nevertheless the crowds are usually quite bearable. Smallmouth bass fishing is excellent, and the river is easily floatable all year. The sign up for is simply below the river's junction with the Current River, at Two Rivers Campground.

CurrentRiver: Baptist Camp to Cedar Grove

This 7 mile float nearby the headwaters of the Current River has much to offer. The river flows past several springs, and tall bluffs, and there are numerous deep, blue pools. The river features a high gradient in this area, with many fast riffles separated by short pools. The river is not particularly large here, but it's always deep and wide enough for quick floating. Still, relatively few float this stretch, mostly because it's only serviced by 1 or 2 canoe rentals. This can be a prime fishing float, with excellent populations of rainbow and brown trout.

CurrentRiver: Akers Ferry to Pulltite Campground

This is probably the most used float in the National Park. At this time, the Current River is actually at its best. The river remains cold and clear, and has grown to a measurement large enough to accommodate many floaters. Some of the largest mountains in the park is visible from the river, and many small springs is visible entering the river. The river here has some fast riffles, but even offers some long, slow pools which can be perfect for just sitting back and relaxing. Because this really is where in actuality the river transitions from a cool to warm-water stream, fishing opportunities can be varied. Rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and goggle-eye are common. The river is easily floatable through the entire year.

Springs

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is home to among the largest spring complexes in the world. Springs form in cracks where groundwater supplies rise to the surface. Some springs are just small upwellings, and others form large streams that rise seemingly from nowhere. The biggest, (the aptly named Big Spring, which feeds the reduced Current River), creates more water an average of than every other spring in the country. Most springs rise somewhere in between both of these extremes. The springs are beautiful beyond description, flowing emerald blue from unfathomable depths. Many spring pools are greater than a hundred feet deep. Because of this amazing beauty, many springs have recognition tourist attractions. Park Regulations do not allow fishing, swimming, or boating in springs, or spring branches. Below are a few very special springs which can be worth visiting.