Watercress
Photo · U.S. Forest ServiceThe place
***Watercress sustained substantial damage to the pavilions during the 2017 flood, they are not reservable at this time, however the boat ramp is still open for public use.*** Watercress Campground lies on the banks one of the forest’s greatest treasures; the Current River. Floats on the river provide views of southeastern Missouri that otherwise can't be seen. The area is home to a variety of birds and wildlife and recreation opportunities are plentiful in the surrounding area. Recreation Boating and canoeing on the Current River, as well as on other nearby rivers, are popular activities. Keep reading
A boat ramp for both motorized and non-motorized boats is available on the east bank of the Current River. Anglers enjoy fishing for bass, walleye, sunfish and the occasional catfish. Big Spring, Missouri's largest spring, is just five miles from the campground. Hikers at Watercress area enjoy the Songbird Trail, a 1.2-mile loop that leads to Watercress Spring, passing remnants of Civil War-era earthwork that overlook the Current River. Facilities The campground offers 17 campsites for tent or RV camping and the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Two group picnic shelters which can accommodate up to 75 people each are located alongside the river. Each is equipped with tables and grills. A seasonal trash collection dumpster is also available between April 1 and October 1 at the campground entrance. Natural Features Located within the town of Van Buren, the campground and day use area are adjacent to the Current River, which flows past scenic bluffs, springs, caves as it meanders through the Mark Twain National Forest toward Doniphan, MO. Nearby Attractions The campground is adjacent to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which is a series of protected rivers in the area managed by the National Park Service. More information about the National Park Service sites can be found here .
The sites · 19
| Loop | Site | Type | Max rig | Electric | ADA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WATERCRESS | 01 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 02 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 03 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 04 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 05 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 06 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 07 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 08 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 09 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 10 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 11 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 12 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 13 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 14 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 15 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 16 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | 17 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | — | |
| WATERCRESS | Old Hickory Pavilion | group picnic area | 36 ft | 20 | |
| WATERCRESS | Sycamore Pavilion | group picnic area | 36 ft | 20 |
Booking
Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.
Book on recreation.govYour representative
This campground sits in MO-08. This member’s public-lands record →