Current River State Park
🛶 Missouri’s Most Beautiful River — Ozark Springs, Gravel Bars, and Float Trips Through Deep Forest — Current River State Park in the Missouri Ozarks, Dent County, camping on the Current River (National Scenic Riverway), canoeing and kayaking, fishing (smallmouth bass, rainbow trout), swimming at gravel bars, hiking, Ozark Highlands, springs-fed river, near Montauk State Park — Dent County, MO
The Current River rises from the largest single spring in the Missouri Ozarks — Montauk Spring, pushing 53 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily from the limestone bedrock. From there, the river flows 185 miles through the heart of the Ozark Highlands — one of the oldest exposed land masses in North America — past bluffs, through forests, and over gravel bars that have been the swimming holes and camping spots of Missouri families for generations.
Current River State Park puts you on the bank of this National Scenic Riverway. You camp in the Ozark forest, walk to the river, and float. The water is so clear you can see the gravel 10 feet down. Smallmouth bass dart between the rocks. And the gravel bars — wide, flat expanses of smooth stone — are the natural beaches of the Ozarks.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Float Trips | Canoe, kayak, or tube the Current River — one of the premier float rivers in the Midwest. Multiple put-in and take-out points. Half-day, full-day, and multi-day float options. The river is mostly Class I–II — gentle enough for families, interesting enough for experienced paddlers |
| Swimming | Gravel bars throughout the river provide natural swimming areas — wide, shallow stretches with clear, spring-fed water. Water temperature stays cool (65–70°F) even in summer heat. No chlorine, no concrete — just river water over Ozark gravel |
| Fishing | Smallmouth bass are the star — the Current River is world-class smallmouth water. Rainbow trout in the spring-fed upper reaches near Montauk. Goggle-eye (rock bass), sunfish, and channel catfish throughout. Fly fishing and spinning gear both effective |
| Camping | Wooded campsites in Ozark forest — oak, hickory, and shortleaf pine. Walk to the river from your site. The campground is the base for float trips, hiking, and fishing. The sound of the river at night |
| Hiking | Trails through Ozark forest and along the river bluffs. The landscape is karst — limestone bedrock riddled with caves, springs, and sinkholes. The forest floor is open and park-like under the canopy |
The Ozarks & the River
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| National Scenic Riverway | The Current River (along with the Jacks Fork) was designated as one of America’s first National Scenic Riverways in 1964 — protected under the National Park Service. The designation preserves the river’s free-flowing character and the surrounding Ozark landscape |
| Springs | The Ozarks are spring country. Montauk Spring, Blue Spring (one of the deepest in Missouri at 310+ feet), Welch Spring, Cave Spring, and dozens more feed the Current River with constant flows of clear, cold water. The springs are why the river stays crystal clear |
| Ozark Karst | The landscape is built on limestone — dissolved over millions of years into caves, springs, sinkholes, and natural bridges. The karst geology creates the springs that feed the river and the bluffs that line its banks |
| Montauk State Park | Nearby Montauk State Park sits at the headwaters of the Current River — one of Missouri’s premier trout fishing destinations. The spring-fed hatchery stocks rainbow trout. The two parks together cover the river from source to deep Ozark forest |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Float trips peak. Swimming at gravel bars. Hot weather makes the cold spring water perfect. Long days on the river. Camping |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | 🍂 Ozark color — oaks and hickories turning gold, orange, and red. Smallmouth bass feeding aggressively. Fewer floaters. The river at its most peaceful |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Dogwood and redbud blooms. River levels higher (spring rains). Trout fishing at Montauk. Wildflowers in the forest. Cool mornings, warm afternoons |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Trout fishing near the springs (cold water, active trout). Quiet. The forest bare. The river clear and low. Off-season camping for the hardy |
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold is the water?
Spring-fed water stays 58–68°F year-round — refreshing in summer heat, bracing in spring. The further downstream from the springs, the warmer the river gets. By midsummer, the water in the main current is comfortable for extended swimming.
Do I need to bring my own canoe?
No — multiple outfitters in the area rent canoes, kayaks, and tubes and provide shuttle service between put-in and take-out points. Reservations recommended for summer weekends.
🛶 Crystal-Clear Water. Gravel Bar Beaches. Smallmouth Bass. And the Sound of an Ozark River at Night.
Float a National Scenic Riverway through the oldest hills in North America. Swim at gravel bars fed by springs pushing 53 million gallons a day. And camp in the forest where the only sound is the river — the same sound it’s made for 10,000 years.
