River guideMissouri
Current River
Compare trips by distance, difficulty and current conditions. Open a trip for its map, directions and planning tools.
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Start with distance, then compare current scores where available.
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End of mapOzark National Scenic Riverways · Missouri
Choose a Current River trip by section
Start with upper or lower Current. These sections use separate gauge stations and trip guidance.
Upper Current: Cedar Grove to Round Spring
NPS’s 2024 float-time table lists Cedar Grove–Akers at 7.7 miles / 3 hours, Akers–Pulltite at 9.6 miles / 4 hours, and Pulltite–Round Spring at 8.9 miles / 4 hours. Its older upper-river page gives Akers–Pulltite as 5 hours. These are averages for canoes and kayaks; NPS says flow, breaks, vessel, paddling pace, and wind affect timing. Use USGS 07064533 above Akers as the route card’s upper-river water-level information, and check conditions again at the selected access.
- Cedar Grove to Akers · 7.7 mi / about 3 hr
- Akers to Pulltite · 9.6 mi / about 4–5 hr by NPS estimates
- Pulltite to Round Spring · 8.9 mi / about 4 hr
Lower Current: Waymeyer to Gooseneck
NPS’s 2024 table lists Van Buren–Big Spring (4.3 miles / 2 hours), Big Spring–Cataract (8.8 miles / 4 hours), and Cataract–Gooseneck (6.2 miles / 3 hours). Its older lower-river page also names Waymeyer–Van Buren (3 hours), Big Spring–Gooseneck (6 hours), and Van Buren–Gooseneck (8 hours); the newer table’s segment totals differ for those combined trips. The trip pages retain those ranges and route-specific shuttle notes. Use USGS 07067000 at Van Buren as lower-river context; it does not describe the upper Current.
- Waymeyer to Van Buren
- Van Buren to Big Spring · 4.3 mi / about 2 hr
- Big Spring to Cataract · 8.8 mi / about 4 hr
- Cataract to Gooseneck / Hawes · 6.2 mi / about 3 hr
The trip picker keeps all 16 endpoint choices, including longer combinations, with their own access, shuttle, camping, gauge, and safety notes. Read the current NPS estimated float-time table, Upper Current paddling guidance, and Lower Current paddling guidance. Check current NPS river levels and closure stages before setting a shuttle; the route-card discharge floors are not official safety limits.
River overview
Current River paddle planning
What to verify before you commit.
Water levels
The Current River guide separates the Upper Current between Cedar Grove and Round Spring from the Lower Current around Waymeyer, Van Buren, Big Spring, Cataract, and Gooseneck. USGS 07064533 above Akers and USGS 07067000 at Van Buren describe different reaches; select the gauge shown on the exact trip card.
Route options
Compare all 16 Current River endpoint choices here. The picker keeps the two NPS-described sections separate and preserves every trip with its own endpoints, gauge, distance, shuttle, camping, and safety details.
Difficulty
Current River routes here are marked easy and moderate, so choose the stretch that fits your group and conditions.
Quick answers
Current River paddling FAQ
Where can I paddle the Current River?
Choose the upper Current from Cedar Grove through Akers, Pulltite, and Round Spring, or the separate lower Current from Waymeyer through Van Buren, Big Spring, Cataract, and Gooseneck. All 16 endpoint choices remain in the trip picker; begin with a documented section, then compare longer combinations by time, shuttle, and access.
How should I check Current River water levels?
Use the gauge on the selected trip: USGS 07064533 above Akers for upper Current options and USGS 07067000 at Van Buren for lower Current options. The card floors (230 or 300 cfs upper; 700 cfs lower) are conservative community planning cues, not NPS safety limits. Check the park’s current river levels and closure notices; NPS closure stages use gauge height in feet and are a separate check.
Which Current River route is best today?
Compare current scores where available, along with water level, recent trend, weather, access, and route difficulty. Planning-only cards provide trip information without a live paddling recommendation.