About Watercress
***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…
- Fees: Campsites: - Single Sites: $10/night - Double Sites: $20/night There is a 50% discount for camping for anyone with an [Interagency Access…
- Season: May 1 – October 1
- Managed by: Mark Twain National Forest, FS
- Where: 1 mi southwest of Van Buren, MO · 37.00194, -91.01861
Things to do:
Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Apr–May & Sep–Oct (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Dec–Feb.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Trails near camp
| Trail | Open to | From camp | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songbird Trail | Hiking | 0.1 mi | 0.6 mi |
| Ozark Trail - Current River | Hiking | 2.9 mi | 9.5 mi |
Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.
Good to know
Verizon 4G · AT&T 5G · T-Mobile 5G
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way is clear overhead but fades toward town glow.
Class 4 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Camps nearby
- Campsite · 1 mi SW of Van Buren 0.5 mi
- Campsite · 2 mi S of Van Buren 0.9 mi
- Campsite · 2 mi S of Van Buren 1.3 mi
- Campsite · in Van Buren 1.3 mi
- Big Spring 3.3 mi
- Campsite #1 · 4 mi S of Van Buren 3.3 mi