Nearby Campgrounds
§ 02 — OVERVIEW
***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.
Boating and canoeing on the Current River, as well as on other nearby rivers, are popular activities. 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.
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.
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.
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.
§ 04 — CONDITIONS
National Weather Service · seven-day outlook · updated hourly
§ 05 — SIGNAL
FCC broadband data · actual signal varies in remote terrain
§ 06—09 — FROM THE FIELD
Community Intel from visitors, written reviews, dated trip reports, and reader-submitted photographs.
§ 07 — REVIEWS
§ 08 — TRIP REPORTS
§ 09 — COMMUNITY PHOTOS
RV Information
Up to 40 ft
Maximum RV Length
Trailers up to 40 ft
17 sites with electric
§ 03 — TRAILS NEARBY
§ 01 — VITALS
AT&T
T-Mobile
Verizon
Based on FCC availability data. Actual signal may vary in remote terrain.
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Trip Reports
0 reports
Tod
88°F
Sunny
1 mph N
Sat
87°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 to 3 mph SSW
Sun
80°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
3 mph NW
Mon
79°F
Mostly Sunny
0 mph
Tue
84°F
Sunny
2 mph W
Wed
87°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
1 to 8 mph SSW
Thu
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
6 mph SW