Current River

Area Status: Open

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 Float Camp Picnic Pavilion
Rentals & Guides:	KC's on the Current Rocky River Resort
Area Amenities:	Accessible,Boat ramp,Tent camping,Camping trailer,Fee charged for some activities,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water,Parking
Fees:	Day Use Fees Deer Leap Recreation Area – Forest Service Float Camp Recreation Area - concession Campground Fees Deer Leap Recreation Area – Forest Service Float Camp Recreation Area – concession Watercress Recreation Area – Forest Service There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an Interagency Access or Senior Pass. Interagency passes cover the full day use fees
Usage:	Light
Restrictions:	No glass on the river Poly-styrene is highly discouraged on this river You can camp along the river as long as you are on public land Check weather conditions and river levels before visiting, conditions can change quickly. Please remember to Leave No Trace (link to site) Please be respectful of private property along the river.
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

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Campground Camping

Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:

Deer Leap Recreation Area

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:

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:

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:

OT - Current River Section

Current River Section of the Ozark Trail - 30-miles

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

OT - Current River Section

Current River Section of the Ozark Trail - 30-miles

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

Picnicking

Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:

Float Camp Recreation Area

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:

Float Camp Recreation Area

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

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