📷 Photo by Johnathan Palmour on UnsplashMissouri Ozark springs and shut-ins
Granite boulders, volcanic-rock swimming holes, a red mill and some of the largest springs in the US along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
- Distance
- 315 km (196 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 30 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- States
- MO
- Updated
- May 15, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 315 km (196 mi) with 9 stops, from St. Louis to Big Spring. About 3 h 30 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Missouri · More road trips from St. Louis
Route description
From St. Louis, take I-55 and US-67 south, then MO-21 into the St. Francois Mountains, about two hours away. Elephant Rocks State Park has giant granite boulders on an easy paved loop, and nearby Johnson’s Shut-Ins has natural chutes and pools in the Black River that are perfect for a summer swim.
Head west on winding state roads through the forest to MO-19 and Round Spring on the Current River. This is the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area created to protect a river, and outfitters along the way rent canoes and tubes.
Eminence is the small hub of the area. West of town, Alley Spring’s red 1894 mill stands over a deep blue spring pool; south-east, a gravel road leads to Rocky Falls, a cascade over pink rock with a swimming pool at its base.
MO-106 and back roads continue to Van Buren and Big Spring, one of the largest springs in the country, pouring from the foot of a bluff. Roads are paved but narrow and curvy; summer weekends are busy with floaters, while April, May and October are quieter.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
St. Louis
MO - 2140 km
Elephant Rocks State Park
NatureBelleview, MOHuge rounded granite boulders lined up like a circus parade, with a paved trail suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Kids love climbing the smaller rocks.
- 323 km
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park
NatureMiddle Brook, MOThe Black River squeezes through volcanic rock, forming chutes and pools that make a natural water park. Summer weekends can reach capacity; come early.
- 469 km
Round Spring
NatureEminence, MOA spring rising in a collapsed cave basin by the Current River, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. There is a campground and a river access.
- 518 km
Eminence
MO - 69 km
Alley Spring and Mill
HistoryEminence, MOA red 1894 roller mill beside a deep blue spring pool on the Jacks Fork. One of the most photographed spots in the Ozarks.
- 726 km
Rocky Falls
NatureEminence, MOA cascade over pink volcanic rock into a wide plunge pool, popular for a summer swim. The last stretch of road is gravel.
- 824 km
Van Buren
MO - 96 km
Big Spring
NatureVan Buren, MOOne of the largest springs in the US, pouring out of a bluff base into the Current River. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the stone cabins and dining lodge nearby.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: St. Louis → Elephant Rocks State Park · 87 mi · 1 h 33 minOvernight nearby, for example: Wild Boar Ridge Campground (14 mi); Twin Rivers Landing (16 mi).
- Day 2: Elephant Rocks State Park → Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park · 14 mi · 0 h 15 minOvernight nearby, for example: Wild Boar Ridge Campground (14 mi); Twin Rivers Landing (7 mi).
- Day 3: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park → Round Spring · 43 mi · 0 h 46 minOvernight nearby, for example: Shawnee Creek Campground (10 mi); Loggers Lake Campground (11 mi).
- Day 4: Round Spring → Big Spring · 52 mi · 0 h 56 minOn the way: Eminence, Alley Spring and Mill, Rocky Falls, Van Buren.Overnight nearby, for example: Big Spring Campgrounds (1 mi); Gooseneck Campground (10 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July–August. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Themes
FAQs
How long is Missouri Ozark springs and shut-ins?
4-day road trip of about 315 km (196 mi) with 9 stops, from St. Louis to Big Spring. About 3 h 30 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Missouri Ozark springs and shut-ins?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 30 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Missouri Ozark springs and shut-ins start and end?
It starts in St. Louis and ends in Big Spring.
Which states does Missouri Ozark springs and shut-ins pass through?
Missouri.
Where can you camp along Missouri Ozark springs and shut-ins?
OpenStreetMap lists 63 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Wild Boar Ridge Campground, Twin Rivers Landing and Shawnee Creek Campground.
When is the best time for Missouri Ozark springs and shut-ins?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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