Ozark National Scenic Riverways
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The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a national park in The Ozarks area of south central Missouri and in the United States.
The park was created by an Act of Congress in 1964 to protect the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Today the park is used for many forms of recreation and is home to abundant animal and plant species. Canoeing is the most popular activity, with some 1.3 million visitors coming to the area each year. Canoe rentalcompanies in the towns and campgrounds make this easy and fun. Other activities include horseback riding, hunting, hiking, fishing, camping and just plain sightseeing.
The Current River is heralded as one of the nation's best floating streams due to the contributions of some of the nation's largest springs. The headwaters of the Current River begin at the confluence of Pigeon Creek and Montauk Springs (located within Montauk State Park near Salem, Missouri). Other notable springs along its course include Welch Spring, Cave Spring, Pulltite Spring, Round Spring, Fire Hydrant Spring, Ebb and Flow Spring, Blue Spring, Big Spring, and Gravel Spring. The park contains the world's largest concentration of first magnitude springs (more than 100 cfs flow)in the world.
The park is also notable for its many caves, including Round Spring Cave that offers ranger led tours in the summer. Other notable caves include Devils Well and Jam-Up Cave.
Historic sites include Alley Spring and Alley Mill, Welch Hospital and many fine CCC structures at Big Spring. For more history of the area Ozark History & Culture page.
Facilities include campgrounds along the two rivers at Alley Spring, Round Spring, Pulltite and Big Spring. There are also a number of other less developed campsites. The historic Alley Mill is also worth a look. During the summer, park rangers present campfire programsand nature hikes at the bigger campgrounds. There are also traditional craft demonstrations and free bluegrass concerts.
Communities surrounding the Ozark National Scenic Riverways include Eminence, Licking, Salem, Van Buren, Ellington, Bunker and Mountain View, Missouri.
