Air Evac
Antiques
Arts & Culture
Assumption Abbey
Attractions Map
Camps, Cabins & RV Parks
Civic Center
Dining
Events & Festivals
Farmers Markets
Historic West Plains
Jan Howard
Lodging
MSU-WP
Ozarks Medical Center
Ozark Mills and Springs
Points of Interest
Recreation & Entertainment
Rivers & Lakes
Real Estate & Properties
Scenic Wilderness
WP Motor Speedway
Additional Links
Calendar of Events
Tourism Calendar
Rivers and Lakes
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways | Eleven Point | North Fork of the White River | Bryant Creek
Spring River | Norfork Lake | Bull Shoals Lake | McCormack Lake
OzarksWatch Video Magazine/Ozark National Scenic Riverways Video
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways
The Ozark National Scenic Riverways was created by an act of Congress to protect the 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. The Current River's wild natural beauty is so breathtaking that it was the first river in America to be named a National Scenic River. The 44.6 milelong Jacks Fork River is the Ozark National Scenic Riverways at its best and the Ozarks' premier floating experience. The pristine waters of these two beautiful rivers provide excellent opportunities for canoeing, swimming and fishing. Seven major springs feed the riverways year-round and over 300 caves are recorded.
The Eleven Point National Scenic River, mile for mile, features more Ozarks' history, scenic beauty and spectacular fishing opportunities than any river in America. From wild rainbow trout, smallmouth bass to stopovers at Turner's Mill and Greer Spring, it is river touring at its best!
The North Fork of the White River is one of the most beautiful free-flowing trophy trout streams in the Ozarks. It is fed by a multitude of natural springs and comes as close to a western trout stream as can be found in this part of the country. Probably the most effective way to fish the river is to float it yourself, fishing the riffles and runs along the way.While the trout on the North Fork can be fickle at times, they can be caught year-round at all water levels!
Bryant Creek, a 45-mile long tributary of the White River in Missouri, begins in lower Wright County, flows through Douglas County and then ends in Ozark County as it joins the North Fork of the White River at Norfolk Lake. It is floatable for 42.6 miles from Vera Cruz to the North Fork. Lovely Bryant Creek is a bass and catfish stream.
Although the Spring River begins in Missouri, it gets serious when it reaches the Arkansas state line where Mammoth Spring flows into it, adding about nine million gallons of water every hour to the stream flow. Instantly, the river is transformed into a racing stream, just right for fishing and floating. This volume of cool water makes the Spring River a year-round float stream and allows the river to be regularly stocked with rainbow trout.
Most of Norfork Lake is in Arkansas with only the northern end extending into Ozark County. The Missouri portion of the lake is about 2,000 acres and is fed by the North Fork River and Bryant Creek, two canoeing gems. Norfork is a 22,000 acre lake which offers excellent bass fishing. Campsites are available at both public use areas as well as at private camps and RV parks.
The 45,500 acres of Bull Shoals Lake spans the Missouri- Arkansas state line, with about 16,400 acres in Missouri. Famous for its bass fishing, Bull Shoals also provides a variety of angling challenges, including trout. The clear water is perfect for swimming and scuba diving.
Whether you're looking for a cool spot for a picnic on a hot afternoon or a place to wet your line, this 15-acre secluded lake at the bottom of a spring-fed hollow north of Alton is a great destination. It offers 8 camp and picnic sites in addition to a boat access and all the pan-fish you can catch.