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Missouri | Missouri Ozarks

Current RiverCedar Grove to Round Spring

Full Upper Current continuation inside Ozark National Scenic Riverways from Cedar Grove to Round Spring. NPS still documents all three component segments, the Akers gauge remains live, and the route ships conservatively because the downstream half still depends on the same upstream gauge relationship used on Pulltite to Round Spring.

Route location

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Distance26.2 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeVery long day
ShuttleCar shuttle
The clear Current River flows below wooded Ozark hills along a long Ozark National Scenic Riverways continuation.
Route photoCurrent River corridor near Welch SpringPhoto by Kbh3rd via Wikimedia Commons
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific private-vessel paddling fee is known inside Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Follow NPS rules, posted signs, designated access layouts, parking limits, no-glass/no-polystyrene rules, and any current river closure notices.
CampingOptions nearbyThis full Upper Current continuation is long enough that many groups should plan it as an overnight-capable route. Akers, Pulltite, and Round Spring all have NPS campground support, and gravel-bar camping has park rules and location limits; do not assume any bank is public just because it is reachable from the river.
SeasonMar-NovThe Upper Current is spring-fed and remains runnable well beyond peak runoff, but a 26.2-mile continuation amplifies low-water drag, fatigue, and storm timing. Heavy rain can raise the river quickly, add debris, and push the park toward non-motorized closures.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Cedar Grove and take out at Round Spring for the full NPS-listed 26.2-mile Upper Current continuation. Use the upstream Akers USGS gauge as a conservative route check, with the app keeping the score at a 300 cfs minimum-only floor because the downstream half is not directly gauged.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Cedar Grove Boat Launch / access
DirectionsOpen map

The 2026 NPS Superintendent's Compendium lists Cedar Grove, Akers, Pulltite, and Round Spring (middle) as Current River landings. Use the signed Round Spring floater landing; the separately listed Round Spring Boat Ramp is reserved for trailered motorboats.

Finish

Take-out

Round Spring river access / campground area
DirectionsOpen map

Pulltite Ranger Station is closed for the 2026 season because of flood damage, but NPS still lists Pulltite as a river landing. Follow current signs and do not assume every campground facility is operating normally.

Road shuttle

Use a two-car or authorized outfitter shuttle between Cedar Grove and Round Spring. Cell service is limited in the park, so stage the take-out and settle the pickup plan before launching.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Additional access notes
  • The Akers gauge is upstream of much of this route. Treat it as a proxy and re-evaluate at Akers or Pulltite instead of forcing the full continuation if water, weather, or fatigue looks wrong.
  • This route is too long for a casual scenic float. Daylight, pace, weather, and whether the group has a legal overnight plan matter before leaving Cedar Grove.
More route and safety guidance
  • NPS warns that Ozark streams can rise quickly after moderate to heavy rain and that rootwad strainers can occur on any river section. Do not launch on high or rising water, and give fresh wood room.
  • Use the named NPS river landings. The 2026 Superintendent's Compendium lists Round Spring (middle) as the floater landing and separately reserves the Round Spring Boat Ramp for trailered motorboats.
  • Pulltite Ranger Station is closed for the 2026 season because of flood damage, but the 2026 Compendium still lists Pulltite as a river landing. Follow current signs, and do not treat every reachable bank or gravel bar as a legal stop or campsite.
Terms and safety
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Sources and methodology

Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.

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 shape26.2 mi / about 11 hr

    NPS Estimated Float Times lists Cedar Grove to Akers at 7.7 miles / 3 hours, Akers to Pulltite at 9.6 miles / 4 hours, and Pulltite to Round Spring at 8.9 miles / 4 hours, which supports this 26.2-mile full Upper Current continuation.

    Source

  • Upper Current access chainCedar Grove, Akers, Pulltite, and Round Spring

    The 2026 NPS Superintendent's Compendium lists Cedar Grove, Akers, Pulltite, and Round Spring (middle) as Current River landings. It separately lists the Round Spring Boat Ramp as a motorized-vessel launch with no floater access.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-27USGS 07064533 at 208 cfs / 0.86 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.

    Source

  • Low-water floor300 cfs minimum-only

    Rivers.MOHERP still ties exact Pulltite-to-Round-Spring reports and nearby lower-Upper-Current trip rows to the Akers gauge, which is the limiting downstream evidence for the full continuation. Paddle Today therefore uses the same conservative 300 cfs floor rather than the lower 230 cfs floor used on the shorter upstream-only routes.

    Source

  • NPS high-water closure contextAkers 4.00 ft / Pulltite 4.20 ft / Round Spring Bridge 5.20 ft

    The NPS river-level guidance and Superintendent Compendium still provide flood-closure context for the full Upper Current corridor and direct paddlers to check current conditions before launching.

    Source

  • Camping supportAkers, Pulltite, and Round Spring campgrounds

    NPS still identifies campground support along the Upper Current. Pulltite Ranger Station is closed for the 2026 season because of flood damage, while showers and restrooms remain available; paddlers should not assume all facilities are operating normally.

    Source

  • 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.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates37.42238, -91.6083 to 37.27996, -91.40792

    Coordinates reuse the practical Cedar Grove and Round Spring access-area anchors already used on adjacent Current River routes. They are route-ready access anchors, not survey-grade ramp corners.

    Source

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Other routes nearby

More on Current River

All 16
Akers Ferry to PulltiteMissouri OzarksEasy · 9.6 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Big Piney RiverSandy Shoals Ford to Boiling Spring Access · about 19 straight-line mi awayEasy · Just over 6 mi

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