NPS · Ozark National Scenic Riverways · Van Buren, MO

Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites

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.

More like this: reservable in Missouri · big rigs in Missouri · pets allowed in Missouri

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry CampsitesList of campgrounds in the Jacks Fork and Middle Current District.Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry CampsitesBlue Spring
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo/Terry Sauceda, NPS Photo/ Shaun Heise, NPS Photo/Wil Marischen, NPS Photo/Jessica Poppa · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups46
Tent-only6
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

52 sites in 8 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
Bachers Campground - Site 10Bachers CampgroundStandard18PartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Baptizing Hole Campground - Site 8Baptizing Hole CampgroundStandardPartialRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Baptizing Hole Campground - Site 9Baptizing Hole CampgroundStandardPartialRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 1Bay Creek CampgroundStandard25PartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 2Bay Creek CampgroundStandard25PartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 3Bay Creek CampgroundStandard25PartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 4Bay Creek CampgroundStandard25PartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 5Bay Creek CampgroundStandard25PartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 6Bay Creek CampgroundStandard25PartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Bay Creek Campground - Site 7Bay Creek CampgroundStandardBack-in18GravelPartialNo / –Riverfront6 / 2YesPrime

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length50 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesBackcountry campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This campground has vault toilets available. Picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts are provided.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 2.77 inches of precipitation, 2.3 inches of snowFebruary: 2.86 inches of precipitation, 1.9 inches of snowMarch: 4.53 inches of precipitation, 1.3 inches of snowApril: 5.26 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 5.58 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.01 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.13 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.79 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.77 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.44 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 3.94 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowDecember: 3.25 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 33.1°F averageFebruary: 37.4°F averageMarch: 46.6°F averageApril: 56.7°F averageMay: 66.9°F averageJune: 74.3°F averageJuly: 78.4°F averageAugust: 77.4°F averageSeptember: 69.4°F averageOctober: 57.4°F averageNovember: 45.6°F averageDecember: 36.0°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Eminence 1 N, 6 miles from the recreation area point at 640 feet, station USC00232619 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 47 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 6 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

POWDER MILL. Physical Address. NPS Road 509 Eminence Township, MO 63638. Directions. Powder Mill can be found 13.5 miles east of Eminence, MO. From Eminence, drive east on Highway 106. After roughly 13 miles, you will cross a bridge over the Current River. After the bridge, take the first right towards the Powder Mill Campground.

Nearest townVan Buren, Missouri
AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 37.14° N, 91.26° W. Call the office before you drive.

Good to know

  • 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.

Explore

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.

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.

Nearby

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.

Guidebooks for Missouri

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping - Missouri and the Ozarks
    Steve Henry, 2014
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-trails Iowa & Missouri
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • The Ozarks: 43 spectacular hikes in Arkansas and Missouri
    Jim Warnock, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

Sites at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

Backcountry campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites have?

52 sites, including 46 standard sites without power and 6 tent-only sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

Yes, pets are allowed at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

The river flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites?

Van Buren, Missouri. Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months.

Source: Getting there

Which national park is Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites in?

Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites is a Ozark National Scenic Riverways campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Ozark National Scenic Riverways