Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites are not reservable in advance. Instead, all backcountry sites are now payable upon arrival using Scan & Pay on your mobile device. Please download the Recreation.gov app before starting your journey to the backcountry sites, as cell service can be limited or simply non existent in these remote areas of the park.
Within Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a "backcountry campground" refers to campgrounds with some basic amenities, but not as many as developed campgrounds. All backcountry sites have picnic tables, fire rings, lantern posts, and vault toilets.
These campgrounds may have fewer amenities, but they are some of the most beautiful locations in the park. Certain sites are located right on the river's edge, allowing quick water access. Some sites are far away from other campers, giving you a chance to enjoy natural peace and quiet. If you crave a camping experience that is off the beaten path, these are the sites for you!
Keep in mind that these campgrounds are often harder to reach due to their location. Most backcountry sites require driving down gravel roads. Some roads are unsuitable for vehicles with low clearance.
This campground has vault toilets available. Picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts are provided.
Need to Know
You will need the Recreation.gov App to pay your camping fee upon arrival at a backcountry camping location. Download the Recreation.gov App before beginning on your journey.
In our park, "backcountry campground" refers to sites that have some basic amenities, but not as many as developed campgrounds. All backcountry sites have picnic tables, fire rings, lantern posts, and vault toilet restrooms.
These campgrounds may have less amenities, but they are some of the most beautiful locations in the park. Certain sites are located right on the river's edge, allowing quick water access. Some sites are far away from other campers, giving you a chance to enjoy natural peace and quiet. If you crave a camping experience that is off the beaten path, these are the sites for you!
Keep in mind that these campgrounds are often harder to reach due to their location. Most backcountry sites require driving down gravel roads. Some roads are unsuitable for vehicles with low clearance. Be sure to double-check the location of your site before making a reservation.
Natural Features
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, and features over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features.
The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common.
Redbud and dogwoods are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months.
Nearby Attractions
Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are also nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and ranger-guided tours are available upon request.
Scenic Big Spring is the largest freshwater spring in North America and produces an outflow of 280 million gallons a day.
Recreation
The river flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby.
Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
Changes & Cancellations
With the backcountry sites now utilizing the Recreation.gov Scan and Pay system, there will not be any capability for changes and refunds. If you are unsure of your plans, please pay one night at a time.
Contact Information
Physical
404 Watercress Drive Van Buren MO 63965
Mailing
P.O. Box 490 Van Buren MO 63965
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 573-323-4236
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Available Campsites
- Site Baptizing Hole Campground - Site 9, Loop Baptizing Hole Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 6, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 2, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 5, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 1, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 4, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 5, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 3, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Shawnee Creek Campground - Site 6, Loop Shawnee Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 4, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 10, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 8, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 2, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Shawnee Creek Campground - Site 1, Loop Shawnee Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 9, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 8, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Rymers Campground - Site 3, Loop Rymers Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 9, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 2, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 1, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Shawnee Creek Campground - Site 2, Loop Shawnee Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 4, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 6, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 4, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 13, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 7, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 7, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 14, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 11, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 1, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 3, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 7, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 1, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 5, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 2, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 11, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Rymers Campground - Site 2, Loop Rymers Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 3, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 12, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 6, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 10, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Shawnee Creek Campground - Site 4, Loop Shawnee Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Rymers Campground - Site 1, Loop Rymers Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 8, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Baptizing Hole Campground - Site 8, Loop Baptizing Hole Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bachers Campground - Site 10, Loop Bachers Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Powder Mill Campground - Site 6, Loop Powder Mill Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Bay Creek Campground - Site 7, Loop Bay Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Shawnee Creek Campground - Site 3, Loop Shawnee Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Shawnee Creek Campground - Site 5, Loop Shawnee Creek Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Log Yard Campground - Site 5, Loop Log Yard Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site Blue Spring Campground - Site 3, Loop Blue Spring Campground, Type Standard Nonelectric
