Ozark National Scenic Riverways Announces Summer Operations

Date: April 8, 2015
Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-8028

VAN BUREN, MO–With nice weather upon us, it will soon be prime time for camping, floating, boating, and enjoying summer programs at Ozark National Scenic Riverways.On April 15, the campgrounds at Ozark National Scenic Riverways will return to regular operation throughout the park.Restroom and shower facilities in campgrounds will be open as usual, and water/sewer hook-ups will be available at electric campsites.

Camping rates for 2015 are as follows:

• Basic Family Campsites (limit 6 people) - $16 per night.
• Electric Campsites (limit 6 people) - $19 per night.
• Cluster Campsites (7-20 people) - $35 per night.
  
• Group Campsites (15-45 people) - $100 per night.
• Backcountry camping - $5 per night.
  

Reserving your favorite campsite in the park's developed campgrounds is highly recommended during the busy summer months to ensure availability;however, there are plenty of walk-in campsites at all of our locations as well. To reserve campsites in the developed campgrounds call 877-444-6777 or reserve online at www.recreation.gov. A $3.00 per night reservation fee is added to the camping fee when you use the reservation service.Please note that a backcountry camping fee will be instated at the Blue Spring campground on the Jacks Fork River this season, following upgrades to the camping area several years ago.

Park visitor centers at the Van Buren Headquarters, Alley Spring, and Round Spring will resume daily operations beginning May 22.Evening campfire programs will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend at Big Spring, Alley Spring, Round Spring, and Pulltite campgrounds.Daily cave tours at Round Spring Cave will resume on May 23, with tours at 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.Tickets for cave tours are $5 each, and space is limited to 15 participants for each tour.Tickets are available on a first come-first served basis at the Round Spring Visitor Center, 30 minutes prior to each tour.

Two special events are planned for 2015.Heritage Days will be held on June 13 near the Depression homestead site at Big Spring.The Haunting in the Hills will be held on October 10 at Alley Spring. Both events will highlight the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark region and will include demonstrations and displays of Ozark lifeways from the past.

According to Acting Superintendent Larry Johnson, "We are currently planning for a busy and successful summer season at Ozark National Scenic Riverways.We are also preparing for the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.Upcoming special events, programs, and park improvements will encourage awareness and education about this significant milestone."

For more information, visit the park's Facebook page, the park's website at www.nps.gov/ozar or phone [phone].

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.

-NPS-