Map showing campground location near Van Buren, Missouri

Camper submitted image from Ozark Riverfront Campground

Ozark Riverfront Campground

Accessible via paved roads, this National Park Service campground operates seasonally from mid-April through mid-October along the Current River. The facility provides both RV sites with electric and water hookups and tent camping areas, with reservations available for advance planning. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern posts across gravel pads that accommodate various camping setups.

The campground sits directly on the Current River, putting campers within walking distance of Van Buren's downtown area. Judes W. notes it's "right off the Current River, walking distant to downtown Van Buren." River access makes this a popular base for tubing and floating activities, with local outfitters coordinating pickups from the campground. Sites closer to the river tend to fill first, particularly on weekends when crowds increase.

One communal bathhouse serves all campers and can experience heavy use during peak Friday and Saturday periods. The facility includes showers, flush toilets, and drinking water. Staff assistance is available for campers coordinating river activities or needing local information. Weekend karaoke events across the river add to the social atmosphere, though Sunday visits typically see fewer crowds.

For additional camping options in the region, campers can explore places to camp around Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Book early for summer weekends when river activities draw the largest crowds.

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Location

Public Campground

Ozark Riverfront Campground is located in Missouri

Directions

From jct US 60 & Hwy 103 at 2nd caution light on US 60: Go W 1 block on Sycamore St, then S on John St.

Coordinates

36.99360083 N
91.01097 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 3/21/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 3/21/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 3/21/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 5 users
Last on 3/21/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time

1 hr 43 min from Cape Girardeau, MO
1 hr 57 min from Jonesboro, AR
2 hrs 37 min from St. Louis, MO
2 hrs 56 min from Jefferson City, MO

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited excellent site conditions with level, non-rocky ground and helpful staff as key strengths. Visitors repeatedly highlighted the riverfront location, clean facilities, and convenient amenities like the on-site store and Saturday karaoke events.

Judes W.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2021

Ozark Riverfront Campground (Formerly the Van Buren Campground

Right off the Current River, walking distant to downtown Van Buren. This campground coordinates pickups for if you want to tube the river with one of the local companies or you can have a local shuttle take you to the bar and Karaoke across the river. The area for campers and RVs are leveled with gravel but has ample shade trees but sites are pretty close. The tent area is grassy with shade trees as well and the sites are closer towards the river. The park has one communal bathroom which can get pretty busy on Fridays and Saturdays.

Site23

Month of VisitAugust

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2018

Aqua central!

Van Buren, MO is in the midst of to the Ozark National Scenic Riverway. This whole area is party central for water lovers that spend their vacation time either motoring, floating or sitting along the Current River and the several natural springs that feed into it.

Big Spring State Park is nearby with plenty of camping options. The campground is still under renovation due to the 2017 flood. There is a showerhouse used by all that is a bit cryptic and bug infested. There is one flush toilet in the first campground loop, the other two loops have porta pots. Picnic table, fire ring and lantern hook on semi-private, mostly level sites. Some have more shade then others. Also a group site is available.

Skyline Drive is the scenic roadway through the Mark Twain National Forest in this area of the state. There are several areas that people camp on the Current River sand bars. If your looking to commune with nature it is possible even with the crowd, they stick mostly to the river.

Eminence, MO is the crossroads to several of the springs and Current River areas. Food , fuel and shopping.

Definitely a destination camping area.

Month of VisitAugust

(9) View All

Barbara L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2016

Ranger Review: Sleep Under the Stars Pack from Lightspeed Outdoors at Current River Campground

Campground review: As always, the staff at the campground are awesome and helpful. We had a site very close to the entrance/store/showers this time. It was wonderful coming off of the river and being just steps away from our tent! I've decided that while I love the Saturday karaoke, I really like camping here on Sundays when it's quieter and less crowded. ----------------------------------------------------------Gear Review: As a Dyrt Ranger, I also get products to review and test in the field. I tested the "Sleep Under the Stars Pack" by Lightspeed Outsoors. The pack included a queen size air mattress, two inflatable pillows, and a pump. The mattress inflated in just a couple of minutes. It is thinner than my air mattress that I usually use, so I was skeptical. It seems to have some support that normally isn't there. It's pretty firm! The two of us and our dog slept comfortably on it all night, although we preferred to use our actual pillows. Paw prints wiped off easily, and it deflated in a snap! I can't wait until we get to use it again!

(7) View All

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2016

Must love water

If you are a fish or amphibious in anyway this is the area to vacation! Primitive well maintained campsites, I also saw campers with generators. BYOB, etc. and spotty cell phone coverage, best way to get away! Water sports galore!

(6) View All

Barbara L.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2016

Current River Campground

We've stayed here for 3 of our Current River float trips. I LOVE THIS CAMPGROUND!! The tent sites are great, the ground is wonderful and not rocky. It's very well maintained. The little store where you check in is so convenient for anything you may have forgotten...and the staff is friendly and helpful!! You can even have pizza delivered to your site, and are within walking distance to an ice cream shop, yet you don't feel like you're out of town. It's right on the river and next to the float check in area. The bathrooms and showers are clean. There is just so much convenience it's crazy. And the absolute best is that there is campground karaoke on Saturday nights when the sun goes down!! I love how that gets the campground to gather and have some fun together! I honestly wish I could live here for the summer.

(6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Ozark Riverfront Campground & RV Park?

Ozark Riverfront Campground & RV Park offers well-maintained tent sites with good ground quality (not rocky) and leveled areas for RVs and campers. Amenities include showers, a convenience store where you check in that stocks camping essentials, and friendly staff. The campground coordinates with local companies for river tubing trips and provides shuttle services. Some sites have generators, though cell phone coverage can be spotty. The campground also features Saturday karaoke events and easy river access, with some sites just steps away from the water.

Where is Ozark Riverfront Campground located on the Current River?

Ozark Riverfront Campground is located in Van Buren, Missouri, directly on the banks of the Current River within the Ozark National Scenic Riverway. The campground offers immediate access to the river and is within walking distance of downtown Van Buren. This strategic location makes it an ideal base for exploring the Current River and nearby attractions like Big Spring State Park. The campground serves as a convenient starting point for float trips and other river activities in this popular water recreation area.

Can I see photos of Ozark Riverfront Campground before booking?

Yes, photos of Ozark Riverfront Campground are available online through various camping platforms and the campground's official channels. These images typically showcase the riverfront setting, tent sites, RV areas, and surrounding natural beauty. Looking at photos before booking will give you a good sense of the campground's layout, including its proximity to the Current River and the well-maintained grounds. For the most current visual information, contact the campground directly as they may have updated photos that highlight recent improvements or seasonal conditions.

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