Current River

The spring-fed Current River runs right through Van Buren, inside the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which Congress authorized in 1964. Authorized outfitters in town rent canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes and shuttle you to and from the river; the lower Current below Van Buren passes Big Spring. The National Park Service’s rough float times: Waymeyer to Van Buren, 3 hours; Van Buren to Big Spring, 2 hours; Big Spring to Cataract, 4 hours; Big Spring to Gooseneck, 6 hours; and Van Buren to Gooseneck, 8 hours, all depending on the water. Private boats float free. Check river levels and closures on the park’s Facebook page before you go, and plan to be off the water before dark.