Thomasville River Access

Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground.

Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.

There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!

1. Pick a Campsite and follow the Leave No Trace Principles
2. Camp 100 feet away from trails and water sources.
3. Treat any water found in the area before consuming it.
4. Human waste (Feces) must be buried at least 6 inches deep and covered.
5. Pack out all of your garbage.

For more information on Dispersed Camping visit our dispersed camping page which has information on picking a campsite, how to protect water quality, and campfires!

River and Stream Fishing

Fishing the Eleven Point Wild and Scenic River is a very popular recreation activity on the Mark Twain National Forest.

The river sees a variety of users and is shared by canoes and boats, swimmers, trappers, and anglers. Please use caution and courtesy when encountering another user.

Be aware that 25 horsepower is the maximum boat motor size allowed on the Eleven Point River from Thomasville to "the Narrows" at Missouri State Highway 142.

The Varied Waters

Different fish live in different parts of the river depending upon the water temperature and available habitat.

1. The upper river, from Thomasville to the Greer Spring Branch, is good for smallmouth bass, longear sunfish, bluegill, goggle-eye (rock bass), suckers, and a few largemouth bass. This area of the river is warmer and its flow decreases during the summer.
2. The river and fish communities change where Greer Spring Branch enters the river. The spring more than doubles the volume of the river, adding millions of gallons of clear, cold spring water each day. This cold water makes it possible for Rainbow Trout to do well in this part of the river. Five and one-half (5-1/2) miles of river between the Greer Spring Branch and Turner Mill South Access is a Blue Ribbon Trout Area (BRTA).
3. From Turner Mill to Riverton the water stays cold and is managed as a White Ribbon Trout Area (WRTA). Twelve inch (average) trout are stocked in the WRTA by the Missouri Department of Conservation from March to October. From Greer to the Arkansas state line you will also find numerous smallmouth bass, goggle-eye, suckers, longear sunfish, chain pickerel (pike) and an occasional walleye.

Baits and Tackle

Fish in the Eleven Point River are caught with a wide variety of tackle and with various baits. Worms, salmon eggs, cheese, canned corn, plugs, soft plastic lures, hard lures, grasshoppers, and artificial flies have all been used for fishing. Other types of live bait may be used for fishing.

When using live bait, special rules, limits, and capture methods also apply. Game fish or their parts may not be used as bait. In the BRTA, only flies and artificial lures may be used. Natural bait, scented bait, and soft plastic cannot be used in this area. Fish gigging is also prohibited in the BRTA.

Gigging

Gigging for fish is a time honored activity in the Ozarks that dates back to a time when good fishing equipment was not available. Hand made gigs for fishing are still made today. Suckers are the fish most often gigged. Gigging has certain seasons and limits. Some areas are also closed to gigging year round. Consult the latest copy of the Wildlife Code of Missouri if you wish to try your hand with this specialized type of fishing

Rules and Regulations

To protect and manage Missouri's fine fish populations, rules and regulations (the Wildlife Code of Missouri) have been enacted to insure that future generations will be able to enjoy the outdoor world. However, be aware that regulations may change each year. To prevent illegal fishing practices and possible citations, review and study the latest fish and game regulations published by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

A printable version of the fishing information for the Eleven Point River is available to download (pdf)

MDOC Special Waterbody Regulations for the Eleven Point River (html)

MDOC Fishing Prospects for the Eleven Point River (html)

Boating - Motorized

The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. Its course is cut in the shadows of steep bluffs, through sloping forested valleys, and low-lying riparian ecosystems. Barely more than a small stream at its upper reaches near Thomasville, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.

The river has been designated for both motorized and non-motorized use. The motorized users must adhere to a 25 horsepower limit.

Boating - Non-Motorized

The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. Its course is cut in the shadows of steep bluffs, through sloping forested valleys, and low-lying riparian ecosystems. Barely more than a small stream at its upper reaches near Thomasville, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.

The river has been designated for both motorized and non-motorized use.

Miles are starting from Thomasville and are as the river flows:

0.0 Mi. State Highway 99 Access at Thomasville is the uppermost point from which the Eleven Point can be floated. (July through October is generally the low flow period and canoeing may not be possible). Thomasville was a trading post for exchanging goods with the Indians, became a settlement in 1809, and served as Oregon County seat from 1845-1859. 0.5 Mi. Middle Fork of the Eleven Point River enters and increases the river flow.

1.5 Mi. Mill Creek and Barren Fork enters from the south bringing still more water.

3.0 Mi. Posey Spring enters the river from the left via a wooded glen. The spring emerges from the base of a bluff on private land a few feet from the river.

3.8 Mi. Round Hollow enters from the left and the river turns abruptly south, skirting around bluffs to the east and south. At this point, there are remnant upright supports and several cross members of an old low water bridge. A portage may be necessary.

5.9 Mi. Blowing Spring enters the river from the left.

6.2 Mi. Roaring Spring, to the right on private land, makes enough noise that a topographic map is scarcely needed for guidance. The water pours from a horizontal crack in the face of the bluff, plunging 15 yards to the river in a tumbling cascade.

6.7 Mi. Graham Springs branch enters from the right. The Spring itself is about 0.3 miles up Graham Hollow on private land.

9.3 Mi. Cane Bluff Access and Picnic Area is the first public access point down river from Thomasville. The towering 250 foot Cane Bluff is directly across the river from the access area. Upstream 100 feet, a rock slide occurred in 1991, knocking down trees and scaring the bluff to the river’s edge.