NPS · Ozark National Scenic Riverways · Van Buren, MO

Upper Current District 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 ↗
Jerktail LandingCedar GroveList of campgrounds in the Upper Current District.Current River at Sinking Creek
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo/Terry Sauceda, NPS Photo/ Jessica Poppa, NPS Photo/ Shaun Heise · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups22
Tent-only5
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 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

27 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
Broadfoot Campground - Site 1Broadfoot CampgroundStandardBack-in40PartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Broadfoot Campground - Site 2Broadfoot CampgroundStandardBack-in40PartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Broadfoot Campground - Site 3Broadfoot CampgroundStandardBack-in40PartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Broadfoot Campground - Site 4Broadfoot CampgroundStandardBack-in40PartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Cedar Grove Campground - Site 1Cedar Grove CampgroundStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Cedar Grove Campground - Site 2Cedar Grove CampgroundStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Cedar Grove Campground - Site 3Cedar Grove CampgroundStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Cedar Grove Campground - Site 4Cedar Grove CampgroundStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Cedar Grove Campground - Site 5Cedar Grove CampgroundStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 2YesPrime
Cedar Grove Campground - Site 6Cedar Grove CampgroundStandardBack-in30GravelPartialNo / NoRiverfront6 / 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 length45 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The backcountry campgrounds have vault toilets available. Picnic tables, fire rings and lantern posts are provided at each campsite.

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

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Upper Current District 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

CEDAR GROVE. Physical Address. NPS Road 154 Current Township, MO 65501. Directions. Cedar Grove Campground is located about 10 minutes from Jadwin, Missouri. Starting in Jadwin, drive west on State Highway ZZ. Follow this road for roughly 5.3 miles.

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

Video

Don't Reserve Campsites - Do This Instead

Natural features

The Ozark National Scenic Riverways protects 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers and some 80,000 acres of river, forest, open field and glade environments. Riparian habitats are a major component of the park. Typified by sycamores, maples, cottonwoods and willows, floodplain forests line the rivers. These provide habitat for Swainson's warblers, wood ducks, great blue herons and a wide variety of other species. As a significant karst resource, the park contains the world's largest collection of first magnitude springs. It also contains over 300 known caves, numerous sinkholes and losing streams. The park also contains several "Missouri Natural Areas", parcels set aside due to their unique scenic beauty or scientific value.

Recreation

The Current River flows past the campgrounds, offering excellent floating, fishing, and swimming. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exists within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region.

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 Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites?

Sites at Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites have?

27 sites, including 22 standard sites without power and 5 tent-only sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites?

The longest site here provides 45 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 Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites?

Yes, pets are allowed at Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites?

The Current River flows past the campgrounds, offering excellent floating, fishing, and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Upper Current District 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 Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites in?

Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites is a Ozark National Scenic Riverways campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Ozark National Scenic Riverways