Gooseneck Campground
Open year-round. Reservations required via recreation.gov. Starting April 15, 2025, payment at backcountry campgrounds uses Scan & Pay through the recreation.gov mobile app. Potable water is seasonal; vault toilets available year-round.
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 10:48PM CDT until September 4 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Daily heat index values up to 100-106 expected. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 10 AM CDT /11 AM EDT/ Monday to 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heat index values will be closer to 100 on Monday. Low rain chances on Friday may provide limited relief.
Forest Order 09-05-21-26-03 National Forest System Road 566 Closure
This is a temporary closure for FS Road 566 up to Coy Bald Trailhead to avoid risk of entrapment from flooding waters during the peak rain season. Access to the Coy Bald Trailhead requires crossing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land—and traversing the Cane Creek low‑water crossing, a…
Weather Conditions
Please check weather conditions prior to visiting. Forecasts can be found:National Weather Service - Springfield, MO Severe Weather Potential National Weather Service - Springfield, MO (Facebook) Safety Tips are available: Brave the Elements Ready.gov - Floods Severe Weather Tornadoes
About
Nestled on the park's southern boundary, Gooseneck Campground offers well-maintained sites right along the lower Current River. A small inlet provides a great space to see wildlife, while gravel bars support swimming, floating, and other river activities. The campground features a large, flat camping area, making it a popular destination for RVs and campers alike. Sites closest to the river have unobstructed views of the waterway. Other sites enjoy dappled shade from oaks, hickories, walnuts, and sycamores. All backcountry sites include picnic tables, fire rings, lantern posts, and vault toilet restrooms. Potable water is available seasonally. The campground is located roughly half an hour south of Van Buren, MO, accessed via Highway 60, Highway C, and Big Barren Creek Road. The final 1.2 miles require driving on gravel roads. This remote location offers solitude and direct river access for those seeking a more secluded camping experience.
Directions
From Van Buren, head west on Highway 60. Around the 5-mile mark, turn south onto Highway C. Stay on Highway C for approximately 11 miles, then turn east onto Big Barren Creek Road. Follow this road for about 1.2 miles until it dead-ends at Gooseneck Campground. The final 1.2 miles are on gravel roads.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 - $25 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| ozar_campground_operations@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (573) 323-4236 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
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