February 7, 2012
Raftyard access closed for repairs until May 4, 2012 to build improved stairway. Details.
February 1, 2012
"Owl Prowl" set for February 4 at Alley, 5:30 pm. Details
January 17, 2012
Bill Black named "Acting" Superintendent. Details.
December 20, 2011
Owl Walk to be held January 7 at Alley at 5:00 pm. Details.
December 20, 2011
There was a lot of fun and holiday cheer at the park's Christmas celebrations. Details.
November 23, 2011
Old Fashioned Christmas to be held at Alley General Store. 10:00 - 12:00 everyone welcome to come and make old fashioned Christmas ornaments, enjoy cider, hot chocolate and cookies. FREE. Details.
November 22, 2011
Public input invited on plan to build a trail to Bat Cave and also build a hoist. Details.
November 22, 2011
Superintendent Reed Detring retiring from Ozark Riverways. Details.
November 16, 2011
Park Visitor Contact Center in Van Buren to be closed weekends and holidays. Details.
November 7, 2011
Prescribed burn scheduled for Alley. Details.
September 22, 2011
Enjoy the wonders of the night sky with astronomers from the St Louis Astronomical Society. October 1 at 8:00 pm at Akers Ferry, meet at the store. Details.
September 12, 2011
The Ozark past comes to life during the annual "Haunting in the Hills," a two-day event on Oct. 8-9, 2011, at Alley Spring. The FREE event features folkway demonstrations, re-enactments, and hands-on activities. Details. [657 kb PDF]
September 9, 2011
Learn all about woodworking and the history of that useful tool the plane at our workshop, September 24, at park headquarters in Van Buren. Details.
August 23, 2011
Paving Projects at Alley and Round Spring Campgrounds cause closure from Sept 6 to November 18, 2011. Details.
July 25, 2011
Public Input Sought Regarding Akers Concessionaire Land Assignment. Details.
July 15, 2011
"Ozark Dinner Theater" to be held at Big Spring July 23. Details.
July 15, 2011
Sinking Creek Gravel Bar is now open. Details.
June 20, 2011
Camping Clinic for Beginners to be held at Akers. Details.
June 19, 2011
Free Canoe and Kayak Clinics to be held at Round Spring in July. Details.
June 18, 2011
Alley Spring to Host Independence Day Event. Details.
June 6, 2011
Bill Staines to Present Free Concert at Big Spring June 14, 2011 at 7:30. Details.
June 3, 2011
Ozark Heritage Days to be Held June 10 & 11, at Big Spring. Details.
June 2, 2011
Local Machinist Recognized for Volunteer Repair of Alley Mill. Details.
June 2, 2011
Dr James Price Retires after Eleven Years at Park. Details.
May 20, 2011
Many Areas Around Big Spring Re-Opened. Details.
May 17,2011
Superintendent Reed Detring Recognized for 35 years of Service. Details.
May 13, 2011
Major River Obstruction Removed, More Areas Opened. Details.
May 12, 2011
Park Recovering After Major Flood, Clean-up Continues. Details
May 11, 2011
Large Excavator Arrives to Assist in Removing Debris, More Areas Opened. Details.
May 10, 2011
Jacks Fork River is Closed Between Alley and Keatons. Details.
May 9, 2011
Park opens more areas after major flooding. Details.
May 6, 2011
Widespread flooding closes many park facilities and river. List of open and closed facilities. More
May 3, 2011
Basketweaving Demonstration at Park Headquarters in Van Buren, May 7. More.
April 21, 2011
Alley Mill Grand Opening. More.
April 21, 2011
Ozark NSR Announces Spring Facilities Open. More.
April 21, 2011
Stars in the Park - Akers Stargazing. More.
February 15, 2011
Ozark NSR plans to conduct prescribed burns. More.
February 10, 2011
The Nature Conservancy protects Current River land. Details.
February 10, 2011
Basketry techniques to be demonstrated at park headquarters on February 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More.
February 8, 2011
Public input sought on the development of an Exotic Plant Management Plan and Environmental Analysis. Details.
January 4, 2011
Owl Prowl to be held January 22 at Alley at 5:30 pm. Details.
January 3, 2011
Public input requested on building of new radio tower. More.
December 8, 2010
Enjoy an Old Fashioned Ozark Christmas at the Alley general Store, December 11 from 10:00 - noon. More.
November 30, 2010
Long time park employee Bryan Culpepper passed away Thanksgiving morning. More.
November 09, 2010
There are lots of things to do around the park this fall, but be careful of increased fire danger. More.
November 09, 2010
Dry conditions make for hazardous camping conditions. More.
October 21, 2010
Chief Ranger Greg Moss retires after 32 years. More.
October 19, 2010
Van Buren High School Students plant trees. Forty four students from the Van Buren High School Science Club planted several hundred trees to help stabilize and revegetate a river landing. More.
August 12, 2010
May 14, 2010
Park Closes All Caves except Round Spring Caverns due to Bat Disease. A case of White Nose Syndrome, a disease that kills bats has been discovered in Shannon County. The park has closed all caves to visitation to protect bats. Round Spring Caverns to remain open. More.
May 14, 2010
Alley Spring Campground Road Resurfacing Project Cancelled.
Due to a lack of bids, the resurfacing project that had been annouced earlier has been cancelled.
April 22, 2010
Civil War and Period Woodworking Demonstration to be held at Big Spring May 1. Enjoy a Civil War encampment and learn the many "support" skills that were needed to keep the Army moving and fighting.
March 31, 2010
ONSR Holds Stakeholder Meeting. Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) held a stakeholder workshop for the purpose of bringing together representatives of different interest groups for some frank discussion and creative thinking about the park's future management. The information gathered at the workshop will be used, along with all the public comments received, to assist the National Park Service (NPS) as it reviews the preliminary alternatives for possible revision and selects a preferred alternative for the Draft General Management Plan (GMP). The GMP is the guiding document that will steer the management of the park for the next 20 years and more, providing direction to the current and future administrations of the park. The final report for the stakeholder workshop is now available online on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website. To access the PEPC website in order to review the report visit: .
March 5, 2010
Ozark NSR Prepares for Modifications in Alley Spring Campground
February 22, 2010
Firearms Now Permitted In Ozark Riverways a new law allows firearms in the park if otherwise permitted under state law, except in buildings. Firearms may not be discharged except in the legal pursuit of game.
February 11, 2010
Ozark Riverways Plans to Conduct Prescribed Burns
January 13, 2010
General Management Plan Comments Available Online
Due to the high level of interest in the Draft General Management Plan (GMP) for Ozark National Scenic Riverways the National Park Service (NPS) has made several documents available for public review. The GMP is the guiding document that will steer the management of the park for the next 20 years and more, providing direction to the current and future administrations of the park.
The NPS received a tremendous response to the preliminary alternatives for the GMP. The turnout at the five June 2009 open houses was very large and a high volume of written comments was submitted. Due to that volume, it has taken a while to read all of the comments, put them into the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) database, and prepare a summary for the public. Several documents have been developed that summarize the public comments received to date. To access the PEPC website in order to review these documents visit: Select Ozark NSR from the dropdown menu, then "General Management Plan" from the list of current projects, and then "Document List".
Given the variety of concerns and suggestions from the public, the NPS will be doing additional work in 2010 and 2011 to revise and refine the planning alternatives and develop the agency's preferred alternative. Included in this process will be work to better understand the impacts of these alternatives on the natural, cultural, social, and economic environment of the national riverways. The park will also be seeking funding to complete studies in the areas of social and natural science to support agency decisions.
The revised alternatives, including the NPS preferred alternative, will be presented in a printed Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement. Upon release of this document, there will be an extensive public review and comment period. The NPS Midwest Regional Director will not approve a final management plan until all comments on the draft plan are reviewed and considered.
November 17, 2009
Shawnee Creek Campground Road Closed. The road to Shawnee Creek Campground has been closed to vehicle traffic. The road suffered extensive damage from the late October flooding and is unsafe for travel. The campground remains open to walk in and float in campers. Repair work will be extensive and the dates for final completion are undetermined.
October 13, 2009
Split and Whittle Workshop Announced. Join us at Park Headquarters in Van Buren on November 7 from 9:00 to 4:00 for a look at old time tools.
August 17, 2009
General Management Plan Comment Period Extended. The comment period has been extended through September 11.
June 18, 2009
General Management Plan Public Meetings Announced. Several public meetings will be held around Missouri to receive public comments about future plans for the park.
June 8, 2009
Ozark Heritage Days This Weekend at Big Spring. Enjoy a look at Ozark heritage, crafts and lifeways from an earlier time.
May 11, 2009
Two tornadoes hit the park and surrounding area on May 8.
April 27, 2009
The park has received $2 million in "Stimulus Funds" to improve services and increase jobs.
April 14, 2009
Welch Lodge Input Needed. The park seeks your input on the future of the Welch Lodge.
April 9, 2009
Chilton Creek Boat Launch Plans Available for Public Comment. Public input is invited on plans for the Chilton Creek area. Click for details.
April 9, 2009
Get Wild at Junior Ranger Day! April 25 at Round Spring. Lots of activities for children of all ages. Click for details.
March 24, 2009
March 24, 2009
Schedule of dates and locations for public meetings to comment on park planning issues.
January 8, 2009
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is now accepting applications for Commercial Use Agreements (CUAs) with horseback riding service providers. Click for details.
April 9, 2008
Missouri native will join park in June. Click for details.
March 21, 2008
Ozark NSR Recovering from Major Flood. Park rangers rescue several people, park facilities damaged. Click for details.
March 7, 2008
Local photographer Dave Dawson's image of the mill will be featured on the Midwest Region's passport stamp. Click for details.
October 18, 2007
Volunteer Horse Patrol Marks First Year click for details
September 26, 2007
click for details
September 12, 2007
Chilton Creek Boat Launch Proposed
The Park Service is looking for public comments on a project to construct a boat launch and parking area near Chilton Creek. Click above for more information.
August 30, 2007
Approval Given for Flying W Work Click for details.
March 14, 2007
Drug and alcohol laws to be strictly enforced, kegs, "jello shots" and beer bongs outlawed. Click above for details.
January 17, 2007
Deer Study at Big Spring
December 14, 2006
Changes to Shelter Reservations
Now make them online at www.reserveusa.com
November 9, 2005
Russ Runge Named Deputy Superintendent
October 25, 2006
Regulations on Weapons in Ozark Riverways
October 25, 2006
Foam-type Coolers No Longer Permitted on Rivers
Bait containers still okay
September 27, 2006
ATV Rules Within Ozark Riverways
Only allowed on legal roads, no off-road use.
September 27, 2006
Big Spring Walkway Construction
August 29, 2006
Public Meeting September 7, Contamination in the Jacks Fork
A public meeting was held to present the results of a study on water quality on the Jacks Fork. To read the news report, click above, to read the actual study,
click here.
August 29, 2006
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Hosts Public Open House Meetings The National Park Service held a series of public open house meetings for
the Ozark National Scenic Riverways general management plan (GMP) and wilderness study from September 18 through September 22. . For more information on the GMP and the wilderness study, please
click here.
August 3, 2006
Rangers Threatened, Grand Jury Indictes
April 26, 2006
The National Park Service (NPS) seeks your review and comments on the "Environmental Assessment for Broadfoot and Shawnee Staging Areas."
