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Missouri | Missouri Ozarks
Current RiverAkers Ferry to Pulltite
Classic Upper Current River day float from Akers Ferry to Pulltite inside Ozark National Scenic Riverways. NPS lists the 9.6-mile route; its current table estimates four hours and its older paddling page says five. The Akers gauge is in the put-in corridor, and the level model stays conservative because the low-water floor is community-calibrated.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Akers Ferry and take out at Pulltite for the NPS-listed 9.6-mile Upper Current River day float. The newer NPS table estimates 4 hours and its older paddling page says 5; allow 4 to 5 hours. Use the Akers USGS gauge as a direct same-day low-water check, with the app using only a conservative 230 cfs minimum floor.
Access map
Put-in
Akers Lower / Akers Ferry accessAkers and Pulltite are standard Ozark National Scenic Riverways access areas, but flood repairs, construction zones, parking, outfitter traffic, and temporary closure notices can change the practical launch or landing.
Take-out
Pulltite Campground / Current River landing (imagery-derived water-entry edge)Recreation.gov currently describes Pulltite as year-round with flood-damaged facilities reduced after October 15, 2025, and NPS says the Pulltite Ranger Station is closed for the 2026 season. Inspect the take-out before launching and follow current NPS signs rather than assuming every landing, road, restroom, or ranger service is normal.
Road shuttle
Use a two-car or authorized outfitter shuttle between Akers Ferry and Pulltite. Cell service is limited in the park, so stage the Pulltite take-out and confirm the pickup plan before launching.
Additional access notes
- The coordinates reuse practical access-area anchors from adjacent implemented Current River routes, not official ramp-coordinate tables. Current NPS signs and ramp layout should control on arrival.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect rootwads, fallen trees, shallow riffles, cold spring water, and busy access areas. Leave room to stop upstream of fresh wood, wear a PFD, and plan for self-rescue because cell service and help can be limited in the riverway.
- Pulltite remains a planned river landing/campground area, but the NPS Pulltite Ranger Station is closed for the 2026 season after flood damage and facilities are reduced. Confirm the current landing, parking, and pickup layout on arrival rather than relying on ranger-station services.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Current River above Akers, MO. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Current River above Akers, MO |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 230 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Rivers.MOHERP Akers gauge trip evidence for Akers to Pulltite |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route shapeAkers to Pulltite, 9.6 mi / 4 hr
NPS Estimated Float Times lists Akers to Pulltite as a 9.6-mile Upper Current River float with an estimated four-hour canoe/kayak time.
- Earlier NPS time estimateAbout 5 hr
The older NPS Paddle the Upper Current River page estimates five hours for Akers to Pulltite. Its newer float-time table gives four hours; the trip card reports a 4-to-5-hour range because NPS says these times vary with flow and other conditions.
- Public floating rulesDesignated NPS river access points
NPS private-vessel guidance says there is no fee for private floating inside park boundaries, but paddlers should arrange their own transport, use designated river access points, follow posted signs, and park only in designated areas.
- Pulltite statusYear-round campground with reduced facilities after October 15, 2025
Recreation.gov describes Pulltite as year-round and says flood damage reduced facilities after October 15, 2025; NPS now says the Pulltite Ranger Station remains closed for the 2026 season while the river landing/campground context remains in use. Treat this as access-caveat support, not a promise that every ramp, road, restroom, or ranger service is normal on arrival.
- 2026 facility closurePulltite Ranger Station closed for 2026 season
NPS says the Pulltite Ranger Station is closed through the 2026 season because of flood damage; this is a facility closure, not a published closure of the Akers-to-Pulltite river float, so confirm the current landing and pickup layout before launch.
- Gauge check during route review · May 31, 2026USGS 07064533 at 311 cfs / 1.09 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Low-water floor230 cfs minimum-only
Rivers.MOHERP includes exact Akers-to-Pulltite trip evidence rated Good at 213 cfs, plus nearby Upper Current Good reports around 213 to 233 cfs. Paddle Today uses 230 cfs as a conservative floor and does not infer an ideal or high-water band.
- NPS high-water closure contextAkers 4.00 ft / Pulltite 4.20 ft
The NPS Superintendent Compendium says the Current and Jacks Fork close to non-motorized vessels during flood conditions and lists Akers and Pulltite closure stages. Use this as high-water caution, not an ideal range.
- Endpoint coordinates37.37591, -91.55148 to 37.33505, -91.47959
Coordinates reuse the already implemented Akers Lower and Pulltite access-area anchors from adjacent Current River routes. They are practical access anchors; NPS signs and current access layout should control on arrival.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Current River
All 16Nearby routes within 75 miles
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