Gooseneck Campground

About this campsite

Campground: Gooseneck Campground. Operated by NPS.

Location

Gooseneck Campground•MO

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

FRI🌧️

23° / 18°

💧 99%

SAT☁️

24° / 14°

💧 9%

SUN☁️

29° / 18°

💧 2%

TODAY☀️

27° / 14°

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TUE☀️

26° / 11°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

16.2 km away

BIG SPRING

Overview In the rolling, forested landscape of Big Spring, two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors have plenty of scenic water activities to enjoy as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. Recreation The Current River flows past the campground, offering excellent canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing. Over 130 miles (209 km) of waterways exist within the park. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the region, include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail. Facilities This year-round campground has flush toilets and shower facilities available. Picnic tables, fire rings, and grills are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Ranger-led campfire programs are offered in the campground amphitheater during summer months. Reservations are accepted for three different group picnic areas. Be sure to specify which picnic area you desire. Big Spring Group Picnic Site is at the spring; Peavine and Chubb Hollow are along the river. Natural Features The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, and features over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. The caves range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features. The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and dogwoods are also abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 323-4236. Nearby Attractions Scenic Big Spring is the largest freshwater spring in North America and produces an outflow of 280 million gallons a day. Round Spring Cave is nearby, with ranger-guided tours offered daily during summer months. Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and Alley Spring are also nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and ranger-guided tours are available upon request.

18.3 km away

PINEWOODS LAKE REC AREA

Overview Pinewoods Lake Recreation Area sits next to Pinewoods Lake in southeastern Missouri. It is an ideal location to enjoy lake fishing and scenic trails. Recreation A 1.3-mile walking trail surrounds the lake. Most of the trail has a concrete surface and is accessible. The entire trail is relatively flat, with no difficult sections. Circling the 32-acre lake, the trail provides views of the lake, songbirds and wildlife, and an abundance of wildflowers. The lake offers a floating fishing pier and a concrete boat ramp. Anglers can enjoy fishing for bass, sunfish and catfish. Facilities The day-use picnic shelter can accommodate up to 75 people. It is equipped with tables and large grills. Accessible vault toilets are provided. Trash collection service is not available; visitors must carry out all garbage. Natural Features The lake is located on the southeastern quadrant of the Mark Twain National Forest. The area is densely wooded. Nearby Attractions Ellsinore is the closest city to the campground, just 3 miles away, with a few dining options, a grocery store and fuel station.

18.6 km away

FLOAT CAMP PICNIC AREA

Overview Float Camp Picnic Area is located only 150 feet from the cool waters of the crystal clear Current River. Visitors enjoy floating the river, fishing and hiking. A campground is only a half-mile away for those who want to stay longer than a day. Recreation The swift-moving river allows for enjoyable float trips, as well as canoeing and great fishing. Swimming is also a popular pastime. Visitors enjoy horseshoe pits and volleyball courts, as well as hiking and other recreational opportunities nearby. Facilities The day-use picnic area offers an accessible group shelter that can accommodate up to 75 people. The site is equipped with electricity, tables and grills. Individual sites are available on a first come, first served basis. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Natural Features The picnic area is nestled under a mature forest of hardwoods, which offers plentiful shade. It is adjacent to the Current River. Nearby Attractions Doniphan is four miles away and offers float trip outfitters, restaurants and lodging.

21.2 km away

WATERCRESS

Overview ***Watercress sustained substantial damage to the pavilions during the 2017 flood, they are not reservable at this time, however the boat ramp is still open for public use.*** Watercress Campground lies on the banks one of the forest’s greatest treasures; the Current River. Floats on the river provide views of southeastern Missouri that otherwise can't be seen. The area is home to a variety of birds and wildlife and recreation opportunities are plentiful in the surrounding area. Recreation Boating and canoeing on the Current River, as well as on other nearby rivers, are popular activities. A boat ramp for both motorized and non-motorized boats is available on the east bank of the Current River. Anglers enjoy fishing for bass, walleye, sunfish and the occasional catfish. Big Spring, Missouri's largest spring, is just five miles from the campground. Hikers at Watercress area enjoy the Songbird Trail, a 1.2-mile loop that leads to Watercress Spring, passing remnants of Civil War-era earthwork that overlook the Current River. Facilities The campground offers 17 campsites for tent or RV camping and the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Two group picnic shelters which can accommodate up to 75 people each are located alongside the river. Each is equipped with tables and grills. A seasonal trash collection dumpster is also available between April 1 and October 1 at the campground entrance. Natural Features Located within the town of Van Buren, the campground and day use area are adjacent to the Current River, which flows past scenic bluffs, springs, caves as it meanders through the Mark Twain National Forest toward Doniphan, MO. Nearby Attractions The campground is adjacent to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which is a series of protected rivers in the area managed by the National Park Service. More information about the National Park Service sites can be found here .