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Current River
The Current River is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Our site provides information on the USDA Forest Service operated sites along the river. For information on the National Park Service operated sites please visit the NPS website for Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
The Current River provides a wonderful opportunity for the public to experience a more social recreation opportunity in the southern ozarks. On weekends you will experience numerous recreationists enjoying a variety of water-based activities.
The swift, clear and cool Current River with numerous gravel bars provides motorized boating, non-motorized boating, tubing, camping, picnicking and wading opportunities in a more pristine recreation setting.
A favorite past time on the river, whether boating or tubing, includes taking breaks on the numerous gravel bars.
The recreation areas on the Current River are easily accessible by vehicle and are located near small communities which provide a variety of services.
From Watercress, and down the river you’ll see a mix of Park Service, Forest Service, and private lands. Occasionally you’ll pass by a hayfield.
The channel of the river meanders yearly, and a gravel bar you visited last year may no longer exist this year. The river does have trees down along the way so boaters will need to be aware of submerged objects as they travel.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | For Stream Flow and Flooding forecast visit the USGS website. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | Day Use
|
| Rentals & Guides: | |
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Boat ramp, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking |
| Fees: | Day Use Fees
|
| Usage: | Light |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | See Specific sites for closest towns. |
| Water: | Float Camp, Deer Leap, Watercress |
| Restroom: | Float Camp, Deer Leap, Watercress, Bay Nothing |
| Passes: | Pass information can be found on the Passes and Permits page of the website. |
| Operated By: | USDA Forest Service and Concessionaires on specific sites on the Current River. |
| Information Center: | Eleven Point Ranger District Email | Phone and Address |
General Information
Directions:The river is located in the Southern part of Missouri in the Ozark foothills. See specific recreation areas on the Current River for directions.
Accessibility:
Bay Nothing
Toilet is wheelchair accessible.
Deer Leap
tables, fire rings, toilets, pedestal grills are accessible
Float Camp
Tables, fire rings, pedestal grills, lantern posts, water faucets and toilets are all accessible. There are sidewalks at the day use area.
Watercress
The tables, grills and fire rings are accessible
Activities
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:This campground has 7 sites. Amenities include: drinking water, vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern posts. Semi-private sites, most sites have spacing and vegetation between them. All sites are within walking distance of the river.
Float Camp Recreation Area
This is a large, open campground with little privacy screening between the 20 campsites. While there's not much solitude, but you'll enjoy level, roomy campsites and have a good opportunity to socialize with adjacent campers. Trash cans or dumpsters and vault toilets are centrally located. No sewage disposal is available.
Watercress Recreation Area
Watercress Campground has 17 sites and lies on the banks one of the forest’s greatest treasures; the Current River. Floats on the river provide views of southeastern Missouri that otherwise can't be seen. The area is home to a variety of birds and wildlife and recreation opportunities are plentiful in the surrounding area.
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:- Bay Nothing Gravel Boat Launch
- Deer Leap Recreation Area
- Float Camp Recreation Area
- Watercress Recreation Area
The clear and cool Current River between Doniphan, MO and Van Buren MO, provides both motorized and non-motorized fishing opportunities thru are a variety of access points.
Fishing permits are available from Missouri Department of Conservation
| Fish Species | Bass, Panfish |
| Special Designations | None |
| Fishing Mode | Bank, Private Boat |
| Fishing Platform | None |
| Cleaning Station | None |
| Accessible Platform | None |
| Water Temperature | 45-70 Degrees |
| Fishing Method | Rod & Reel |
| Water/Flow Level | 1-8 feet |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
|---|
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Float Camp Recreation Area
- White Oak and Wood Chuck Trails
- OT - Current River Section
- Watercress Recreation Area
- Songbird Hike
Current River Section of the Ozark Trail - 30 miles
The Current River Section of the Ozark Trail, a 30 mile section, passes through a myriad of publicly owned lands, best viewed from the trail atop Stegal Mountain, the highest point in the area. The trail wanders through Peck Ranch Conservation Area. High bluffs, shut ins and igneous glades provide attractive scenery.
Woodchuck and White Oak Trail - 1.5 miles
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.
Songbird Trail - .86 miles
Songbird Trail, a .86 mile trail begins in an open, grassy area between campsites #11 and #12, Watercress Spring is just at the start of the trail near the campsites. From the spring the trail climbs up a hillside, from there you go south to the Watercress entry road. You follow the road back to the campground to make a loop.
The boardwalk crosses a creek, that is part of the Watercress Spring, by the boat ramp will lead to the beach access.
A range of habitats along the trail, from wooded uplands to riparian area. The remains of Civil War earthworks can still be seen high on a hill that overlooks Current River.
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:Current River Section of the Ozark Trail - 30-miles
The Current River Section of the Ozark Trail, a 30 mile section, passes through a myriad of publicly owned lands, best viewed from the trail atop Stegal Mountain, the highest point in the area. The trail wanders through Peck Ranch Conservation Area. High bluffs, shut ins and igneous glades provide attractive scenery.
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:Current River Section of the Ozark Trail - 30-miles
The Current River Section of the Ozark Trail, a 30 mile section, passes through a myriad of publicly owned lands, best viewed from the trail atop Stegal Mountain, the highest point in the area. The trail wanders through Peck Ranch Conservation Area. High bluffs, shut ins and igneous glades provide attractive scenery.
Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:The picnic area is downhill from the picnic pavilion, on the banks of the Current River. Picnic tables, pedestal grills, and trash receptacles. There are vault toilets up the hill near the pavilion.
Watercress Recreation Area
There are five individual picnic sites throughout the recreation area. Amenities available are: Picnic tables, pedestal grills, trash receptacles, drinking water, flush toilets.
Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:Watercress Recreation Area
The picnic pavilion is adjacent to the parking area, shaded by tress on the side of a slope at the top of the hill from the swimming area. The pavilion is a great place for views of the river!
Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:Please check ahead for river conditions for the section you plan to visit ahead of time.
Find more information on Ozark National Scenic Riverways on the National Park Service website.
| From | To | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Watercress (FS) | Big Spring (NPS) | 4.9 |
| Big Spring (NPS) | Hickory Landing (NPS) | 8.6 |
| Hickory Landing (NPS) | Cataract Landing (NPS) | .2 |
| Cataract Landing (NPS) | Gooseneck (NPS) | 6.2 |
| Gooseneck (NPS) | Bay Nothing (FS) | 1.6 |
| Bay Nothing (FS) | Deer Leap (FS) | 15 |
| Deer Leap (FS) | Float Camp (FS - no launch) | 1 |
| Float Camp (FS - no launch) | Doniphon city (Township) | 5 |
More detailed mileage information can be found at Missouricanoe.org.
| Type of Craft | Fishing Boats, Dinghies, Electric Boats, Flat Boats, Jon Boats |
| Size Restrictions | None |
| Motor Type | gas, electric |
Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:Please check ahead for river conditions for the section you plan to visit ahead of time.
Find more information on Ozark National Scenic Riverways on the National Park Service website.
A mileage chart is available under motorized boating.
Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:Watercress Recreation Area
There is a beach access to the south/left side of the boat ramp. Throughout the day use area there are two concrete river access areas that have stairs, with railings, leading to the beach. The sidewalk to the stairs is made from pavers.
The river is immediately deep at the concrete at the access to the right. This access may not be suitable for wading.
The river is very popular with boaters, so be aware of other traffic on the river if/when you are wading.
Tubing
Recreation areas with activity Tubing:Deer Leap Recreation Area
Canoes, kayaks and other non-motorized boats may be launched at the concrete Deer Leap Boat Launch, or carried down at the floater/tuber access.
The Tuber Launch is being operated at the end of the campground, and is a popular put-in for floating the Current River. This access is also shared with outfitter/guides.
Watercress Recreation Area
The Watercress Boat Launch is situated on the west bank of the Current River and provides a double-lane, concrete boat launch for motorized and non-motorized boats. This access is less remote than some other sites on the Current River.
This is a very busy site for launching, year-round.
Amenities
| Camping trailer: | Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | Float Camp, Watercress |
| Tent camping: | Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
| Parking: | Bay Nothing, Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
| Toilets: | Bay Nothing, Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
| Fee charged for some activities: | Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
| Accessible: | All sites along the river have accessible features or amenities |
| Boat ramp: | Bay Nothing, Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
| Drinking water: | Deer Leap, Float Camp, Watercress |
Location
