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 September 20 at 4:20AM CDT until September 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 102 degrees are expected. * WHERE...all of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Forest Closure - Bridge Replacement at Paddy Creek
Paddy Creek Recreation Area, National Forest System Road 211, Big Piney Trailhead Spur Trail (03-016-D), Paddy Creek Trail Loop (Trail 03-016-C), and a section of the Big Piney Trail (03-016-A) will be closed from December 1, 2026 until December 31, 2027 while a bank on the creek is restabilized…
Forest Order - Trail 119 Closure (Chadwick Motorized Trail System)
The closure of Forest Trail 119 in the Chadwick Motorized Trail System will serve to ensure the protection of people who visit the Mark Twain National Forest by preventing access to the trail during the removal of a culvert. The Closure Order and Map can be accessed in the green links below.
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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