Ozarks (Rural)
The Current River runs through a national park unit here
The Current River corridor near Van Buren is a National Park Service unit, so floating, camping, and access follow Ozark National Scenic Riverways rules rather than ordinary state float-stream rules.
The Current River near Van Buren runs through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. This is a National Park Service unit. It protects long stretches of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers and the springs that feed them.
That federal status changes the rules you follow. The corridor has its own ranger stations and marked access points. The Park Service asks you to use only designated river access points and to follow any posted signs. Glass and styrofoam are not allowed in tippy boats like canoes, kayaks, tubes, and rafts, and they are banned within 50 feet of the rivers. There are also rules against public intoxication, and state and federal alcohol laws still apply.
If you want to float here, treat it like a visit to a national park. Plan around the official access points. After spring rains, water can rise fast, and conditions can change. Check the latest river levels and any flood updates with the National Park Service before you launch.
Where to see it
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Use the National Park Service for current river conditions, rules, and access planning.
References
More from Carter County: browse every local note for the county.
Last checked against the sources above: June 20, 2026.