See all 16 routes on Current River
Missouri | Missouri Ozarks
Current River
Cedar Grove to Pulltite
Check current paddling conditions for this Current River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
CautionThis route has hazards or access considerations that require extra verification.
Safety details
This combines two NPS-listed sections into a 17.3-mile, roughly seven-hour canoe or kayak route. Stage the Pulltite take-out and an Akers bailout before launching because cell service is limited.
- Use the designated Cedar Grove and Pulltite river landings and follow posted access signs. Pulltite's ranger station remains closed through the 2026 season after flood damage, so verify the landing and available facilities before committing to the full route.
- Check the Akers gauge trend and current NPS closure status, not only the app score. NPS closes non-motorized use at unsafe flood levels, and flood conditions bring faster current and debris; postpone if the river is rising toward closure or the landing is restricted.
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 conservative low-water floor for Cedar Grove to Pulltite; below that, expect long shallow shoals and dragging. Do not treat high or rising water as casual, and respect NPS closure notices.
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
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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 Cedar Grove and take out at Pulltite for the combined NPS-listed 17.3-mile Upper Current continuation. Use the Akers USGS gauge as a same-day route check, with the app keeping the score conservative at a 230 cfs minimum-only 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
Cedar Grove Boat Launch / accessThe current NPS Superintendent's Compendium designates Cedar Grove, Akers, and Pulltite as Current River landings. Use those posted landings, park only in designated areas, and obey any temporary flood or maintenance restriction.
Take-out
Pulltite river access / campground areaNPS says the Pulltite Ranger Station remains closed through the 2026 season after flood damage, while the campground and river landing remain listed. Inspect the take-out before launching and verify which facilities are available.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The current NPS Superintendent's Compendium designates Cedar Grove, Akers, and Pulltite as Current River landings. Use those posted landings, park only in designated areas, and obey any temporary flood or maintenance restriction.
- NPS says the Pulltite Ranger Station remains closed through the 2026 season after flood damage, while the campground and river landing remain listed. Inspect the take-out before launching and verify which facilities are available.
- This route is much longer than the individual Upper Current day floats. Daylight, weather, and a realistic bailout plan at Akers matter more than on a short scenic float.
Watch for
- Shallow riffles, scraping, and dragging when the Akers gauge is near or below the 230 cfs floor, especially over a 17.3-mile day.
- 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 Upper Current River continuations |
| 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 shape17.3 mi / about 7 hr
NPS Estimated Float Times lists Cedar Grove to Akers at 7.7 miles / 3 hours and Akers to Pulltite at 9.6 miles / 4 hours, which supports this combined 17.3-mile continuation.
- Upper Current access contextCedar Grove, Akers, and Pulltite named by NPS
NPS Paddle the Upper Current River still names Cedar Grove, Akers, and Pulltite among the popular Upper Current access points for private paddlers.
- Live direct gaugeUSGS 07064533 at 269 cfs / 1.00 ft
USGS Current River above Akers returned same-day discharge and gage height at 2026-07-10 15:30 CDT. The gauge sits in the middle of this route corridor and remains the cleanest product-supported live source for the continuation.
- Low-water floor230 cfs minimum-only
Rivers.MOHERP still provides exact Cedar Grove-to-Akers and Akers-to-Pulltite trip evidence plus broader Upper Current good-condition reports around the same Akers gauge floor. Paddle Today keeps the continuation on the same conservative 230 cfs minimum-only model.
- NPS high-water closure contextAkers 4.00 ft / Pulltite 4.20 ft
The NPS river-level guidance and Superintendent Compendium still frame flood closure behavior around the Akers and Pulltite gauges and instruct paddlers to check current conditions before launching.
- Camping supportAkers and Pulltite campgrounds
The current park brochure still lists Akers and Pulltite campgrounds and river access points in the Upper Current district, which supports treating this longer route as overnight-capable rather than a casual short day float.
- Access rulesDesignated river access points only
NPS private-vessel guidance still tells paddlers to use designated river access points, unload promptly, and park only in designated areas.
- Pulltite 2026 facility statusRanger station closed; river access remains listed
NPS says the Pulltite Ranger Station remains closed through the 2026 season after flood damage. The current Superintendent's Compendium still designates Pulltite as a Current River landing, so paddlers should verify the landing and available facilities rather than assuming normal services.
- Endpoint coordinates37.42238, -91.6083 to 37.33505, -91.47959
Coordinates reuse the practical Cedar Grove and Pulltite access-area anchors already used on adjacent Current River routes. They are route-ready access anchors, not survey-grade ramp corners.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- NPS Estimated Float Times
- NPS Paddle the Upper Current River
- NPS Floating in the Ozarks
- NPS River Levels
- NPS Ozark Superintendent Compendium
- NPS park brochure
- NPS basic information and seasonal facility status
- Rivers.MOHERP Current River Akers gauge
- USGS 07064533 Current River above Akers
- USGS 07064533 instant values
- Mapcarta Cedar Grove Boat Launch
- Mapcarta Pulltite Campground
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.
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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 Cedar Grove Boat Launch / access and ends at Pulltite river access / campground area, about 17.3 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.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.
