Open
Open year-round. Reservations required through Recreation.gov or the recreation.gov mobile app. Payment via Scan & Pay in the app (download beforehand as cell service is limited). Fee is $10 per night.
About
On summer days, Jerktail is a bustling hub for floating, swimming, and river recreation on the spring-fed Current River. The campground offers access to huge gravel bars, deep swimming holes, and impressive limestone bluffs that draw visitors year after year. Several miles of hiking and horseback riding trails crisscross the surrounding Ozark backcountry.
At night, Jerktail's remoteness becomes its greatest asset. The campground boasts some of the darkest skies in the park, allowing campers to see the Milky Way stretching across the heavens. In summer months, fireflies put on dazzling displays throughout the forest. Each of the three sites has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post, with vault toilets available year-round. There is no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply.
Reaching Jerktail requires a 30-minute drive from Eminence, including 6 miles on gravel roads. The final approach involves navigating two Y-intersections, staying right at each fork on County Road 224 until the road ends at the campground.
Directions
From Eminence, drive north on Highway 19 for 5 miles. Turn right onto County Road 19-221 and follow for 2.5 miles. At the Y-intersection, turn right onto County Road 224. After 1.4 miles at the next fork, turn right to stay on County Road 224. Continue 2 miles until the road ends at Jerktail Campground. Total gravel road distance is 6 miles.
