See all 16 routes on Current River
Missouri | Missouri Ozarks
Current River
Akers Ferry to Pulltite
Check current paddling conditions for this Current River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
CautionThis route has hazards or access considerations that require extra verification.
Safety details
This is the NPS-listed 9.6-mile Akers-to-Pulltite float, but check current NPS river closures and flood conditions before launching. The NPS closure stages are 4.00 ft at Akers and 4.20 ft at Pulltite; floodwater runs faster, carries debris, and is not casual paddling.
- 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.
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge note
Minimum 230 cfs · Current River above Akers, MO
Gauge context
Use the Current River above Akers gauge. Around 230 cfs is the low-water marker for Akers to Pulltite; below that, expect shallow riffles and possible dragging. Do not treat high or rising water as casual, and check NPS closure notices before launching.
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at Akers Ferry and take out at Pulltite for the NPS-listed 9.6-mile Upper Current River day float. Use the Akers USGS gauge as a direct same-day low-water check, with the app using only a conservative 230 cfs minimum floor.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
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 river access / campground areaRecreation.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.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Akers 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Watch for
- Shallow riffles, scraping, and possible dragging when the Akers gauge is near or below the 230 cfs floor.
- High or rising water, fresh wood, cloudy water, and faster current after rain. NPS lists Akers at 4.00 ft and Pulltite at 4.20 ft as non-motorized closure levels in flood conditions.
- Cold spring-fed water, crowding on warm weekends, motorized-boat interactions under park horsepower rules, and limited cell service.
- Federal river rules: PFD requirements, children under 7 wearing PFDs, no glass or polystyrene, no vessel lashing, cave closures, and leash rules for dogs when on land.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.

Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Current River above Akers, MO |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 230 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| 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 |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
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.
- 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.
- Live direct gaugeUSGS 07064533 at 311 cfs / 1.09 ft
USGS Current River above Akers showed same-day discharge and gage height at 15:30 CDT on May 31, 2026. The gauge is in the Akers put-in corridor.
- 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.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
More level reports needed
Only a low-water floor is known.
We can tell when this route is likely too low, but we do not yet have enough reports to define a best range. If you paddled it recently, send a condition report with how the level felt.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Current River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Current River?
Paddle Today watches Current River above Akers, MO and uses 230 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Current River route start and end?
This route starts at Akers Lower / Akers Ferry access and ends at Pulltite river access / campground area, about 9.6 mi on the water.
Is this Current River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.
