The Show-Me State, as Missouri is known, has several attractions that travel the gamut from the standard and regular—to those that are way off the beaten path. And so, while there are ten reasons and more—to visit Missouri's glittering cities like Branson, Kansas City, or St. Louis, there are other unique attractions in Missouri deep in the countryside—that, though little-known, are no less alluring. And again, while Missouri is definitely more than the Ozarks, the craggy mountain range provides a breathtaking backdrop to much of Southern Missouri. That includes the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area to protect a river system.
One of only two rivers that make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways—it is also known to offer one of the most scenic canoe trips in the entire United States. And that’s the Current River that’s known for its emerald-green luster—and the focus of this article.
Here’s Why Current River Is Arguably The Best Canoeing Destination In The United States
For starters, Current River offers excellent canoe camping to visitors. Aside from canoe camping, and perhaps to delightfully enhance the canoe camping experience, Current River also boasts a stunning scenery that will constantly keep the paddler’s eyes up and turning—almost the entire time one is floating on the strikingly emerald waters. While waterways, be they rivers and lakes—are always fabulous to look at, Current River takes beauty to a whole new level. One will keep on gawking and gazing at the towering bluffs whose rugged beauty gives the whole area an ambiance that’s serene, regal, and imposing.
Current River is also lined with beautiful caves and caverns—including Cave Spring —whose enchanting beauty so struck Thomas Benton that the famous American artist would go on to illustrate it on canvas in one of his most enduring works. Aside from these, Current River also boasts a number of attractive sandbars and gravel bars that jut out of the water in an artistic style that remarkably enhances the river’s visual appeal. Then again, the gravel bars are the dream of overnight floaters.
While all these would be great, there’s more to Current River than the surrounding scenery that is richly magnified by the jaw-dropping Ozark backdrop. There’s so much to admire within the river itself. For instance, the waters of the Current River are of an emerald-blue shade that is just so enchanting. There’s a reason this river is called the Emerald of the Ozarks. It gets that distinctive color because of the many springs that abundantly feed it. These include the Blue Spring—the deepest spring in the Show-Me State. At some points on this river, the waters seem to be in a mad rush, as if on a mission to overrun everything and everyone. At other points, it swirls and stops as if in quiet contemplation of the imposing bluffs.
Here’s How To Plan A Canoe Camping Trip To Current River
For those planning a trip to Current River, an important decision to make will be whether to go camping or just pull the boat by a gravel bar on the side of the river while the night away. If camping has won, one should consider the particular campgrounds to pitch a tent on—and the needs, if any, of camping gear. There are several places for great camping along this scenic expanse, including Van Buren, Pulltite (owned by Current River Management), Two Rivers, and Big Spring. Aside from these, one can also camp at Montauk, Round Springs, and Powder Mill Ferry. Campers can rent camp gear at any of these places.
- How Much Is Camping Around Current River? While organized campgrounds, like the ones we’ve highlighted, charge a fee, one can camp at any other spot along the river for free.
It’s important to note that Current River can get crowded. While the crowd size can vary from place to place, a better strategy for those who want to avoid crowds is to go floating on a weekday. Alternatively, early morning hours are perfect. Those who’ll be on the waters when the dawn is just breaking can particularly paddle for long before meeting anyone else. But going before Memorial Day is also a sure bet—if one is keen on avoiding crowds. For those looking for the best part of Current River to float on, our pick is the 10-mile section between Akers to Pulltite. The scenery here is on another level. There are a number of caves one can float into.
For outfitters, Current River Canoe Rental—located at the Pulltite Campground—is usually a great choice. This is especially true for those keen on the upper side of Current River. Finally, renting a canoe will set one back by $50. That’s it. Current River is the Canoe Capital of the Ozarks. And it’s worth that tag for the scenes alone.