Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The park encompasses the Current River and its major tributary, the Jacks Fork, flowing through Shannon, Carter, and Texas counties in south-central Missouri. The rivers originate from large springs, including Big Spring, one of the largest in the United States, which discharges over 280 million gallons per day. The streams are characterized by gravel bottoms, clear water, and a constant cool temperature, supporting diverse aquatic life. The surrounding landscape features rugged hills, dolomite glades, and oak-hickory forests, typical of the Ozark Plateau. The riverways are a critical habitat for species like the Ozark hellbender and several endemic mussels, and they are designated as a National Wild and Scenic River system component.

Human habitation in the area dates back over 10,000 years, with evidence of Native American use, including rock art and chert quarries. European settlers arrived in the early 19th century, establishing small communities and using the rivers for transportation and milling. The park preserves historic structures such as the Alley Mill, a late-19th-century roller mill, and the Powder Mill Ferry, reflecting the region's rural past. The 1964 establishment was driven by local citizens and conservationists concerned about dam proposals; it set a precedent for protecting free-flowing rivers. The park also interprets the legacy of the Civil War in the Ozarks, including the Battle of Pilot Knob nearby.

Recreational activities include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and camping along the rivers, with designated float trips and river access points. The park manages over 300 caves, many of which are closed to protect bat populations, especially the endangered Indiana bat. Hiking trails, such as the Ozark Trail, offer backcountry access, while the Alley Spring area is a popular day-use site. The National Park Service works with local partners to manage water quality, invasive species, and visitor impacts, including a permit system for commercial outfitters. The park's visitor centers at Van Buren and Eminence provide interpretive exhibits and ranger programs.

Beyond its well-known springs, the park harbors the Round Spring Cavern, a show cave open seasonally, and the Devils Well, a collapsed sinkhole with an underground lake. The park is a hotspot for biodiversity, including the rare Ozark cavefish and the endemic Current River crayfish. In 2019, a new species of freshwater mussel, the Current River mucket, was described from these waters. The park's cultural history includes the once-thriving riverboat trade, and remnants of old mills and fords are still visible. The park also manages the Ozark Chinquapin restoration project, a native tree species nearly wiped out by chestnut blight. Additionally, the park's dark skies have been recognized for stargazing, and it hosts an annual astronomy festival.

Big Spring

One of the largest springs in the U.S., located within the park, with an average discharge of 280 million gallons per day.

Current River

A 110-mile-long river in Missouri, a central feature of the park, known for its clear, spring-fed waters.

Jacks Fork

A tributary of the Current River, also protected within the park, flowing through the Ozark hills.

Ozark hellbender

A large aquatic salamander species native to the Ozark streams, listed as endangered.

Alley Mill

A historic roller mill built in 1894, now a park visitor attraction.