Looking for a 3-4 day expedition this winter. Thinking of doing a canoe/kayak camping trip, hence the looking down south. (From Chicago Area) Looking to make it happen in the December-January time frame. Was reading up on the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways, looks to have good potential and gorgeous landscapes, anyone have experience in the area? Our group likes to "do it ourselves" as much as possible, how are things such as overnight parking? And an odd question but how is the crime in the area? (Kept stumbling on an old post from this forum that made it sound a little...) Frankly I could be convinced of a completely different kind of trip too. (We were also considering heading up the BWCA to try our hand at winter camping...). Just looking for an adventure like always. Thanks for any advice!
- Marrowoflife

It's been a number of years since I've been down that way in the winter, but I have done January trips on the Niangua and the Buffalo in January. The Buffalo is gorgeous for sure and the turquoise colored water is stunning. Just one trip on each in the winter, so only not a lot a experience. I never had any trouble with parking. We always tried to avoid cold snaps, but still saw temperatures dip into the 20's on both trips. I hope someone with more experience and more recent experience than I have chimes in.

I've also done some winter backpacking on the Ozark Highlands trail and would do that again in a heart beat.

A winter trip in the BW? Absolutely! If you've never been to the BW in the winter you should put it on your list of things to do.

The Current River is a great option in the winter since it's spring fed. A good 3-4 day option would be to put in at Baptist Camp, or even further upstream (about a mile) at Tan Vat Hole, just outside of Montauk State Park. River gets tight up there, but should still be floatable. Float down to either Pulltite for a 26 mile float or Round Spring for a 34 mile float. IMO that's the best stretch of the Current, especially up near Tan Vat. Plenty to see such as caves, springs, old Pulltite cabin. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat at Echo Bluff State park.

Another good option would be the Eleven Point River. Float from Greer Spring to Hwy 142 (The Narrows). It's a pretty stretch (28 miles), but the river has more strainers. Towards the end of that stretch, the water "flattens" out a bit and you lose some of the current. I just did that stretch a couple of weeks ago.

Crime hasn't been an issue for me on either river. On the Current, the take outs are managed by the NPS so your chances of crime are probably even more slim.

HappyHuskies: "The Buffalo is gorgeous for sure and the turquoise colored water is stunning" Just one trip on each in the winter, so only not a lot a experience. I never had any trouble with parking."

You have totally got me interested in the Buffalo, appears to be about a 9 hour drive but man that scenery is making it look worth every second of it. Were low waters any problem for you during your January trip on it?

HappyHuskies: "A winter trip in the BW? Absolutely! If you've never been to the BW in the winter you should put it on your list of things to do.

"

Not yet!! Definitely on the bucket list, sounds like an incredible way to experience and fully appreciate the area. Just stuck at the age old problem of choosing which to do first.

jsun79: "The Current River is a great option in the winter since it's spring fed. "

Exactly what I was thinking! I was having a little more trouble finding specific info on the NPS website. So do all the boat access icon points (Baptist, Cedargrove, Welch, Akers, Pulltite) allow overnight parking? And how would you rate the upstream parts of the current river for navigability? We're definitely ok with having fun but maybe not too much fun in the water in December :)

I did a 4 day trip on the Current Rv with my daughter a number of years ago using Akers Ferry for canoe rental and shuttle service. They were open year around whereas most other outfitters were not open in early March. My car was parked securely on their property. Very nice trip with us encountering just a few fishermen.

You have totally got me interested in the Buffalo, appears to be about a 9 hour drive but man that scenery is making it look worth every second of it. Were low waters any problem for you during your January trip on it?

The year we paddled it the water levels were not a problem. Definitely not high, but more than adequate. Unlike the summer it was also very quiet. We only saw one other party on the river.

The only reason I don't get down that way more is the length of the drive. About 950 miles from Ely.

I've also hiked the Buffalo River Trail in January and similarly saw very few people, but this was a number of years ago and things change.

HappyHuskies: "A winter trip in the BW? Absolutely! If you've never been to the BW in the winter you should put it on your list of things to do.


"

Not yet!! Definitely on the bucket list, sounds like an incredible way to experience and fully appreciate the area. Just stuck at the age old problem of choosing which to do first."

I hear you! Not a bad problem to have though. When you're ready it should still be here. I don't think you can make a bad choice.

The Buffalo can come up very fast. Its a small watershed. Ponca to Pruitt has some very sporty sections in high water. Moving water experience in January I would think to be a must as well as wetsuits. Rootwads abound and willow strainers if the water is moving.

Done the whole Buff three times and even though I live away I have done sections of it as day trips with the Ozark Rendezvous crowd.

Done same on the Current. Whole river twice. Cedar Grove to Round Spring is the best IMO..

There won't be water in the campgrounds should you plan to use them. You will need a filter. Gravel bar camping is nice.

IMO both are beautiful rivers but my nod goes to the Buffalo. But if you have to pay attention to the eddies and willows sometimes you can't take pictures of the bluffs.

I have had gear stolen once in maybe two dozen outings. It's not normally a problem but remember not to rely on NPS. They are short staffed. Both rivers fall under their aegis.

I would most definitely park my car in a secured lot with an outfitter/shuttle service. in the past, Terry Webb, aka Ozark Paddler here and who was an avid and almost every weekend paddler on the Current, Jack's Fork and Eleven Point was adamant about that.

I did a 3-day trip, the week before Christmas 2019, on the Current. Two of us drove down from Iowa and car camped at Pulltite. We then put in at Akers Ferry in the morning. We camped two nights on the river and took out by 10:00 AM at the Two Rivers campground. We hired Two Rivers Canoe Rental to shuttle the car.

We had the river to ourselves. The NPS rangers ran a jet boat up and down the river each day, but we didn't see anyone else on the river. The water temp doesn't drop below 58 degrees, even in winter. If you decide to paddle the Buffalo, I would keep the Current as your backup, in case the Buffalo is too low or flooded.

I live about 60 miles north of the upper current. The recommendation to start at Baptist Camp and head down river is a good one. A nice three to four day trip would be Baptist Camp to Two Rivers (Jacks Fork joins the Current at Two Rivers). Leave your car at Two Rivers, pay for a shuttle, shouldn't have any problems. Current River is a beautiful river and this is my favorite stretch. You will have plenty of water, riverside springs and caves, and the only people this time of year will be a few fish giggers on the river close to access points in the evening. Invite them to fry the fish at your gravel bar camp and you will get to enjoy a Missouri delicacy, fried sucker.

The NPS sites don't provide much detail for access points. This mileage chart may help a bit better. https://missouricanoe.org/current-river/

Note that Tan Vat is not on this chart, but IS a public access point. It's a well known fly fishing spot. You should be fine that far upstream with it still being navigable.

Thank you guys for all the advice! It is definitely looking more and more like the Current River is exactly what we're looking for. I'm going to dive into some more research into the Baptist Camp downstream route, it sounds perfect.

marrowoflife: "Thank you guys for all the advice! It is definitely looking more and more like the Current River is exactly what we're looking for. I'm going to dive into some more research into the Baptist Camp downstream route, it sounds perfect. "

I liked the Baptist area but beware it is twisty and if there has been recent bad weather quick reaction to avoid downed trees is a must. I did a solo once and the Current on the Current was high and between Baptist and Cedar Grove there was a tree entirely across the river. I was able to eddy out but have a little moving /whitewater experience. Otherwise it could have been bad. The river at that end is quite narrow. It is very pretty. A very interesting five mile stretch!
For reference I did my solo from Baptist to Big Spring in three days. 90 miles. No paddling hard. As I said the water was up.

Yellowcanoe you moved quick in that high water to make it to Big Springs in 3 days from Baptist Camp! A few years back I did a late September solo from Baptist Camp to two rivers. Water levels appeared "normal". I stopped often, had a late start the second day when I slept in, fished and explored, landed at Two Rivers early afternoon the third day. Hope this helps with your planning........ enjoy.

Awesome topic marrowoflife. This is all roughly 4 hours and change from home. Now the gears a turning on the potential for another fall/winter adventure. Anything to get away - maybe Thanksgiving weekend.
Hope you have a great trip!!

BWCA.COM ceases to amaze me. Thanks everyone for all the tips, advice and info on the launches, past trips/speed of travel - all of it - it is helping this plan become a reality.

yellowcanoe:
"I liked the Baptist area but beware it is twisty and if there has been recent bad weather quick reaction to avoid downed trees is a must.... A very interesting five mile stretch!"

Thanks for the heads up, I will definitely keep this in mind and watch the weather in the weeks leading up to it and start further downstream if necessary.

DownStrm: "
We had the river to ourselves. The NPS rangers ran a jet boat up and down the river each day, but we didn't see anyone else on the river. The water temp doesn't drop below 58 degrees, even in winter."

This sounds perfect for a winter getaway!

martian: "Awesome topic marrowoflife. This is all roughly 4 hours and change from home. Now the gears a turning on the potential for another fall/winter adventure. Anything to get away - maybe Thanksgiving weekend.
Hope you have a great trip!!
"

Man that's great to have a place like that within an early morning drive. Hope you're able to get out there! I'd love to hear all about it if you do!!

Marrowoflife

Marrowlife I did not check with NPS prior to starting out. It probably is advisable though no guarantee they know the condition of every foot of the river! I should have checked in.

yellowcanoe: "Marrowlife I did not check with NPS prior to starting out. It probably is advisable though no guarantee they know the condition of every foot of the river! I should have checked in."

Good idea!

Hey might be a naive question. But for those who have camped on the Current, do you hang your food?

marrowoflife: "

yellowcanoe: "Marrowlife I did not check with NPS prior to starting out. It probably is advisable though no guarantee they know the condition of every foot of the river! I should have checked in."

Good idea!


Hey might be a naive question. But for those who have camped on the Current, do you hang your food?"

I never have. I have a barrel . Its not bear proof of course but never had an issue. Bears are not common in most of the Ozarks. You would be lucky to see one. Gnawing critters are another thing. I tied my canoe to a tree. Next morning I found the rope chewed through

marrowoflife: "

yellowcanoe: "Marrowlife I did not check with NPS prior to starting out. It probably is advisable though no guarantee they know the condition of every foot of the river! I should have checked in."

Good idea!


Hey might be a naive question. But for those who have camped on the Current, do you hang your food?"

Nor did I. I asked the outfitter - Akers Ferry- and was advised I didn’t need to hang food.

DownStrm: "I did a 3-day trip, the week before Christmas 2019, on the Current. Two of us drove down from Iowa and car camped at Pulltite. We then put in at Akers Ferry in the morning. We camped two nights on the river and took out by 10:00 AM at the Two Rivers campground. We hired Two Rivers Canoe Rental to shuttle the car.


We had the river to ourselves. The NPS rangers ran a jet boat up and down the river each day, but we didn't see anyone else on the river. The water temp doesn't drop below 58 degrees, even in winter. If you decide to paddle the Buffalo, I would keep the Current as your backup, in case the Buffalo is too low or flooded. "

I'm also from Iowa and looking at southern river paddling. I was curious about where you're from and opened up your profile. Low and behold, a fellow Muskie--although I've moved to Central Iowa. Small world.

The stream gauge for the upper Current River is USGS 07064533 Current River above Akers, MO. Best flow for canoe camping is 500 to 1200 cfs. You are okay below Akers as low as 250 cfs, although you might have to walk a couple of riffles at this level. Welch spring adds to the river above Akers.
I was WildernessWebb's canoe partner and live near Eminence.
I would be glad to answer questions or if needed, help with your shuttle.
Dan

LostInREI,
We moved to Muscatine 20 years ago and love the people here! Send me an email and I can give you my phone and address.
Southern Missouri has dozens of rivers and creeks that are well worth the drive: Niangua, North Fork, Bryant, Big Piney, Little Piney, Jacks Fork, Current, St Francis, etc. Paddlers gather every March and daytrip on the these rivers. I usually join them for a week. It's a good way to kick off the paddling season.

MississippiDan: "The stream gauge for the upper Current River is USGS 07064533 Current River above Akers, MO. Best flow for canoe camping is 500 to 1200 cfs. You are okay below Akers as low as 250 cfs, although you might have to walk a couple of riffles at this level. Welch spring adds to the river above Akers.
I was WildernessWebb's canoe partner and live near Eminence.
I would be glad to answer questions or if needed, help with your shuttle.
Dan"

Now that I can make sense of the gauge's flow rate, I'll definitely be watching it and narrow down our launch point. I'll for sure reach out if anything else pops up. We're not sure on the exact numbers right now, and may or may not be taking two vehicles. But if it ends up only being one I will definitely get a hold of you to see if you're available. Thanks again for all the help!

Go to Google Play and get RiverApp. You get data for almost every recreational river in the world.

Wanted to thank everybody who helped when I was originally planning of this trip. We headed down Friday and came back Tuesday. Highly recommend the trip to anyone considering it. When we arrived Friday in the dark it was an absolute downpour that lasted nearly to the morning. So we got to see the river at some very high conditions. 2000CFS+ at Akers. Paddled the section from Pulltite to Sinking Creek. We were cruising and enjoyed seeing the many cliffs, springs and bald eagles! We spent the last two nights at Jerktail, a fun drive to get to, with a small creek crossing! Was more isolated than most parts of the BWCA. Went both days without seeing a soul. Highly discourage anyone from visiting there :)

It was really special going in winter. You get to see all the businesses and infrastructure ready for the busy season, but there isn't a soul using any of it.

I will have to write up a trip report on it, but still working on our summer BWCA trip report too.... you know how life is.

MarrowOfLife

Glad that you enjoyed it. It just looks so rugged when the leaves are off the trees. All the cliffs and boulders are visible, then.
I'll be ringing in the New Year on the Current River!