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Ozark National Scenic RiverwaysCanoes with rocky bluff in background
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Camping
 
Family camping
Family camping is a great way to build memories of "quality time."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camping is a lot of fun, but please keep in mind that good manners are as important in the outdoors as anywhere else.

Please keep in mind that quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Others want to sleep for their big day floating or may have children who go to bed early. Please respect your neighbors.

Please DO NOT BRING FIREWOOD! Moving firewood around the country helps spread forest pests like the Emerald Ash Borer and Gypsy Moth. You can gather any dead and down wood around the park, or buy local firewood at roadside stands, stores or canoe rentals. (Don't take it home with you, either.) For more info click here.

Keep a clean camp, small critters like skunks, crows and raccoons will certainly visit you, looking for a handout. Be prepared to keep your food and garbage either in a vehicle or hanging up high. Otherwise you may wake up to a mess and no breakfast!

We have bears in the area, they haven't been a problem yet and we want to keep it that way. Please help by not making it easy for them to steal food or garbage. More about camping with bears.

Lastly, this is a family friendly place. If you insist on being loud, obnoxious or using profanity, you can expect to be asked to leave.

 Akers Group Sites   Alley Spring
  Big Spring   Round Spring
  Two Rivers   Powder Mill
  Pulltite   Primitive Campsites

Click on campground name below to see a photo of the area. (not all photos are available yet)

Family sites are $14.00 per night. Electric sites are $17.00. Group sites are $100.00 per night unless otherwise noted.

Akers Group Campsite Group sites at Akers may be reserved online at: www.recreation.gov  or by calling 1-877-444-6777 There is an additional fee for this service. Group sites rent for $50.00 per night.

Alley Spring Open year round. Water systems turned off October 30 - April 15. Phone 573-323-4236 reservations: 1-877-444-6777 or at www.recreation.gov Alley Spring Campground has 162 family sites that can accommodate a maximum of six persons and two tents. These are on a first come, first served basis. For More Information on this campground please call 573-323-4236. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups at group sites. Traditional Ranger led campfire programs are offered in the campground amphitheater on weekends during the summer.

Big Spring Open year round. Water systems turned off October 30 - April 15. Big Spring Campground has 123 family sites that can accommodate a maximum of six persons and two tents each. . GROUP sites and some of the family sites at Big Spring may be reserved online at: www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 There is an additional fee for this service. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people and cost $100.00. The Chubb Hollow Group Site (#3) is only $50.00 due to having fewer amenities. Reservations are required for group sites. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. Traditional Ranger led campfire programs are offered in the campground amphitheater on weekends during the summer.

Powder Mill (formerly Owl's Bend) Phone 573-323-4236. Eight family sites that can accommodate a maximum of six persons and two tents each. These are on a first come, first served basis. Family sites are $14.00 per night. There are no electric hook-ups at this campground. Most campsites at Powder Mill are on the water. Powder Mill is convenient to the Ozark Trail which passes by on the far side of the river. Access is across the Route 106 bridge. Another trail leads about a half mile to the beautiful Blue Spring, widely considered one of the nicest of the Ozark springs. For More Information on this campground please call 573-323-4236

Pulltite Open year round. Water systems turned off October 30 - April 15. Phone 573-323-4236. Fifty five family sites that can accommodate a maximum of six persons and two tents. About half of these may be reserved, call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov The rest are first come, first served. Many of the campsites at Pulltite are on the water. Family sites are $14.00 per night. There are no electrical hook-ups at this campground. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Reservations are required for group sites. Group sites cannot accommodate recreational vehicles. There are no electrical or water hook-ups. Traditional Ranger led campfire programs are offered in the campground amphitheater on weekends during the summer. For More Information on this campground please call 573-323-4236

Round Spring Open year round. Water systems turned off October 30 - April 15. Sixty family sites that can accommodate a maximum of six persons and two tents. Group sites can accommodate from seven to 45 people. Group sites cannot accomodate recreational vehicles. Reservations are required for group sites and strongly recommended for family sites during the summer. All sites at Round Spring may be reserved online at: www.recreation.gov  or by calling 1-877-444-6777 There is an additional fee for this service. The Round Spring Cluster Sites have been converted to "Group" sites and may be reserved as mentioned above. Traditional Ranger led campfire programs are offered in the amphitheater on weekends during the summer. Cave Tours are held during the summer. Check this website and park bulletin boards once you arrive for the latest ranger programs.

Two Rivers Open year round. Water systems turned off October 30 - April 15. Two Rivers has 19 family sites that can accomodate a maximum of six persons and two tents each. These are on a first come, first served basis. Family sites are $14.00 per night. There are no electric hook-ups at this campground. Group sites at Two Rivers may be reserved online at: www.recreation.gov  or by calling 1-877-444-6777 There is an additional fee for this service. For More Information on this campground please call 573-323-4236


Primitive Campgrounds

Open year round. There are several smaller, less developed camping areas in the park. Generally these have more rustic facilities such as pit type toilets. These campsites include: 

  • Cedargrove
  • Bay Creek
  • Rymers
  • Gooseneck (formerly Hawes)
  • Shawnee Creek
  • Big Tree
  • Sinking Creek
  • Cedar Spring
  • Grubbs
  • Hickory
  • Keatons
  • Log Yard

The fee for these "primitive" sites is $5.00. Sites are limited to 6 people and two vehicles and are available on a first come, first served basis only. Stays are limited to 14 days.

 
 
Canoers enjoying the river
Canoers enjoying the river
Canoeing is the most popular activity at Ozark National Scenic Riverways
more...
Cave formations
Beautiful cave formations.
Hundreds of caves are to be found in the Ozarks. Round Spring Cave is open for tours in the summer.
more...
Alley Mill
Alley Mill was built in 1894
Learn more about the history of the "Old Red Mill"
more...
Welch Hospital
Welch Hospital ruins near Akers
The Welch Hospital sits next to Welch Spring upstream from Akers. Read about its history....
more...
Folks canoeing on the Current River.  

Did You Know?
Ozark National Scenic Riverways has two of the finest canoeing rivers in the Midwest. The spring fed Current and Jacks Fork Rivers provide a fun way to get closer to nature and build family memories. More at www.nps.gov/ozar
more...

Last Updated: July 23, 2008 at 10:30 EST