News Release

Jon Boat Rides and Big Spring Historic District Open House

Jon boat rides were once a popular attraction near the Big Spring Lodge.

News Release Date: August 31, 2018

Contact: Cathy Runge, 573-323-4806

Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814

Van Buren, MO: Join us for modern jon boat rides and an open house in the Big Spring Historic District on Saturday, September 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a brief excursion on the Current River with a skilled local guide, departing from the boat dock in front of the Big Spring Dining Lodge. Several rooms of the lodge, the nearby commissary building, and one of the historic cabins will be open for visitors to view during this event. Park staff will provide tours of these historic structures, which were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. This program is free of charge and all are invited.  

Traditional Ozark float trips conducted by local guide services provided opportunities for many early visitors to experience the clear, pristine waters of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. Wooden, handcrafted jon boats once played a major role in Ozark life and the growth of tourism along the rivers. Ozark residents used jon boats for logging, hunting, gigging, trapping, running trot lines and fish traps. Local entrepreneurs organized businesses to outfit and guide boating excursions after the establishment of the state parks. Jon boat rides were offered at Big Spring near the Big Spring Lodge into the 1980’s. These scenic river rides are a fond memory for many. Today, modern aluminum jon boats provide an opportunity for many to enjoy the rivers in much the same way.

Planning for the restoration of the Big Spring Dining Lodge and Cabins is currently underway, and work to rehabilitate these beloved buildings is expected to begin in 2020. The architectural style of the buildings features local stone and timber construction, adding a unique rustic charm to the area. During the open house, visitors can learn about the work of Civilian Conservation Corps at Big Spring.  

Big Spring Lodge is located four miles south of Van Buren, Missouri, on State Route 103. Because the Big Spring Bridge is currently closed for construction, visitors should stay on State Route 103 to reach the Big Spring Lodge. For more information, call Park Ranger Cathy Runge at 573-323-4806 or e-mail us; visit the park’s Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar.

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

www.nps.gov/ozar

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