Is there an entrance fee at Ozark National Scenic Riverways?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee. Campgrounds have their own nightly fees.

When is the best time to visit Ozark National Scenic Riverways?

In 2025 July had the most recreation visits at 238,949 and January the fewest at 14,013. NPS notes hot, humid summers and winters with freezing and snow.

Are dogs allowed at Ozark National Scenic Riverways?

Where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or less. NPS lists pets as permitted on 30 of its 34 things to do here.

Is Ozark National Scenic Riverways open 24 hours?

NPS says the park grounds are generally open all day and night year-round. Some visitor centers have different hours, and some roads, trails or river access spots may close seasonally.

All parks › Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]
Busiest month (2025): July^[2]
Recreation visits, 2025: 1,116,835^[3]
Campgrounds: 23^[4]

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a National Scenic Riverways unit of the National Park System in Missouri^[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee^[1].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Ozark National Scenic Riverways^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS says the park grounds are generally open around the clock all year, while some visitor centers keep different hours by season and staffing^[6]. Some roads, trails or river access spots may be closed for part of the year^[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 238,949 recreation visits^[2]. The quietest month was January with 14,013^[2]. NPS describes summer temperatures of 75-100 °F with high humidity^[7]. Winter ranges from 0-50 °F with periods of freezing and snow^[7]. Heavy rain or flooding can happen in any season, so NPS suggests planning ahead for camping, hiking or floating^[7].

Recreation visits counted by the National Park Service in each month of 2025. The busiest month, July, is highlighted^[2].

Show visits by month

Month, 2025	Recreation visits
January	14,013
February	19,686
March	33,590
April	59,654
May	76,653
June	182,390
July	238,949
August	214,241
September	121,818
October	76,150
November	50,475
December	29,216

Show visits by year

Year	Recreation visits
2021^[3]	1,328,773
2022^[3]	1,291,305
2023^[3]	1,334,137
2024^[3]	1,343,779
2025^[3]	1,116,835

Camping

NPS and Recreation.gov list 23 campgrounds here^[4]. The largest is Alley Spring with 165 sites, followed by Big Spring with 137 sites^[4]. NPS lists nightly fees for individual sites from $10 to $45^[4].

Alley Spring, 165 sites^[4]
Big Spring, 137 sites
Round Spring, 65 sites
Pulltite, 58 sites
Jacks Fork / Middle Current Backcountry Campsites, 52 sites
Lower Current District Backcountry Campsites, 28 sites
Upper Current District Backcountry Campsites, 27 sites
Two Rivers, 22 sites
Bay Creek Campground, 11 sites
Powder Mill Campground, 8 sites
Sinking Creek Campground, 8 sites
Big Tree Campground, 7 sites
Gooseneck Campground, 7 sites
Blue Spring Campground, 7 sites
Log Yard Campground, 6 sites
Cedar Grove Campground, 6 sites
Clubhouse Campground, 5 sites
Dee Murray Campground, 5 sites
Akers, 4 sites
Rymers Campground, 4 sites
Jerktail Campground, 3 sites
Cedar Spring Campground, 2 sites
Bachers Campground, 1 sites

Pets and dogs

Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or less where they are allowed^[8]. They are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted^[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 30 of the 34 things to do it lists here^[9]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check before you go^[8].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee^[1]. Campground fees do apply, from $10 to $45 a night for individual sites^[4].
Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data, so confirm them on the official park page before a trip^[6].
NPS says reservations are required for 3 of the things to do it lists^[9].
NPS lists 5 visitor centers if you want to ask staff about conditions^[10].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Ozark National Scenic Riverways?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee^[1]. Campgrounds have their own nightly fees^[4].
When is the best time to visit Ozark National Scenic Riverways?: In 2025 July had the most recreation visits at 238,949 and January the fewest at 14,013^[2]. NPS notes hot, humid summers and winters with freezing and snow^[7].
Are dogs allowed at Ozark National Scenic Riverways?: Where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or less^[8]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 30 of its 34 things to do here^[9].
Is Ozark National Scenic Riverways open 24 hours?: NPS says the park grounds are generally open all day and night year-round^[6]. Some visitor centers have different hours, and some roads, trails or river access spots may close seasonally^[6].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Ozark National Scenic Riverways as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 1,328,773, 2022: 1,291,305, 2023: 1,334,137, 2024: 1,343,779, 2025: 1,116,835. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
Campgrounds in Ozark National Scenic Riverways (list on this page). National Park Service
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Scenic Riverways) in Missouri. National Park Service
Operating hours, Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Generally, the park grounds are open 24-hours a day throughout the year. Some visitor centers will have different hours depending on season and staff availability. Likewise, certain roads, trails, or river... National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Ozark National Scenic Riverways. National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
NPS lists 34 things to do at Ozark National Scenic Riverways: About Current River Challenge, Round Spring Guided Cave Tour, Fly Fishing Clinics, See the Wild Horses, Round Spring Loop Trail, Paws in the Park, Refresh at Big Spring, A Detective in Nature,... National Park Service
Visitor centers listed by NPS: 5 (Big Spring Entrance Station, Alley Mill, Alley General Store, Round Spring Ranger Station, Pulltite Ranger Station). National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.