Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways, 80,786 acres (32,707 hectares), along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers, SE Mo.; authorized 1964 as the first national scenic river; est. 1972. Many springs flow into the rivers; Big Springs is one of the largest single-outlet springs in the United States. Many large caves with interesting dripstone formations are found along the rivers. Forests cover about 75% of the riverways. Wildlife and fish are abundant in the area. See National Parks and Monuments, table.

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Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Parks Directory of the United States / US National Parks / National Rivers

Address: 404 Watercress Dr
PO Box 490
Van Buren, MO 63965
Phone: 573-323-4236;
Fax: 573-323-4140;
Web: www.nps.gov/ozar/
Size: 80,785 acres.
Established: Authorized on August 27, 1964; established on June 10, 1972.
Location: 134 miles of the Jacks Fork and Current rivers in south-central Missouri. Accessible via I-44 or US 60.
Facilities: Campgrounds (é), picnic area, rest rooms (é), cabin rental, groceries, restaurant/snacks, boat rental, boat ramp, museum/exhibit.
Activities: Camping, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, boating, canoeing, tubing, fishing, hunting, nature hikes.
Special Features: The nation's first national scenic riverway protects 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in the Ozark Highlands. Much of the area is underlain by soluble limestone and dolomite, giving rise to sinkholes, caves, and springs of a classical karst topography. There are more than 300 recorded caves within the boundaries and nearly 100 springs that pour thousands of gallons of clear, cold water into the streams. Big Spring, one of the largest springs in the United States, has an average flow of 276 million gallons of water per day. Ozark culture is also preserved throughout the area.

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See other parks in Missouri.