Places to Visit in the Ozarks

River Accesses to Visit in the Ozarks

Every public access in the guide: landings, launches, and gravel bars on the region's float rivers, with parking and fee details as the managing agencies state them.

Big Spring Campground

Near Van Buren, Missouri

The Park Service's main campground in the Big Spring area: 123 reservable sites on the Current River, a boat ramp, electric hookups in one loop, and Big Spring itself within walking distance.

  • Camping
  • Families
  • First-Time Visitors

Van Buren Riverfront Park

Near Van Buren, Missouri

Van Buren's own river park at the foot of Main Street: a concrete boat ramp and canoe launch on the Current River, a picnic shelter, and swimming areas on one acre, open 4 AM to 10 PM.

  • Float Trips
  • Fishing
  • Swimming

Watercress Recreation Area

Near Van Buren, Missouri

The Forest Service's in-town Current River access: a double-lane concrete boat launch, five picnic sites, and concrete stair entries down to a river beach, a half mile from downtown Van Buren.

  • Float Trips
  • Fishing
  • Swimming

Chilton Creek Boat Ramp

Near Van Buren, Missouri

The Park Service's trailered-boat ramp on the lower Current River, about twelve road miles north of Van Buren on Route M: motorized vessels only, no floater access, with overflow parking shared with the Pin Oak access.

    Paint Rock River Access

    Near Van Buren, Missouri

    A Park Service river access at River Mile 33 on the Lower Current, at the end of County Road 626 north of Van Buren, with MDC's Paint Rock Unit around it and Gravel Spring a half mile downriver.

    • Float Trips
    • Fishing

    Log Yard Campground

    Near Van Buren, Missouri

    A Park Service backcountry campground and year-round boat ramp at River Mile 37 on the Current River: six reservable sites, a vault toilet, and some of the darkest night skies in the park.

    • Camping
    • Float Trips
    • Fishing

    Hickory Landing

    Near Van Buren, Missouri

    A Park Service landing at River Mile 7 on the Lower Current, at the end of a gravel road off Highway E, and the shore point for the Lower Current's Cave Spring.

    • Float Trips

    Cataract Landing

    Near Van Buren, Missouri

    A Park Service landing on the Lower Current a fifth of a mile below Hickory Landing: the take-out for the Big Spring to Cataract float and the last named landing above Gooseneck.

    • Float Trips