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The rolling, forested landscape around Alley Spring is where two of America's most beautiful spring-fed rivers combine to make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
As the first national park area to protect a wild river system, visitors are able to enjoy various water activities as well as hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
Canoeing, tubing, swimming and fishing are popular activities on the vast waterways in the region, with over 130 miles of water trails. Canoe and kayak rentals and outfitters can be found nearby.
A short walk from the campground leads to a popular swimming area on the Jacks Fork River, a crystal clear and spring fed waterway that's cool and refreshing on a hot summer day.
Several interpretive trails with educational exhibits meander nearby. Other hiking trails include the Alley Overlook Trail, Chubb Hollow Trail, Ozark Trail, Cave Spring Trail and Big Springs Trail.
Open year-round, this campground has flush toilets and shower facilities available April 15 through October 15. Roads and parking spurs are paved.
Ranger-led campfire programs are offered in the campground amphitheater during the summer months.
Known for its caves, springs, sinkholes and losing streams, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways has over 300 identified caves within its boundaries. They range in size from a rock overhang to almost seven miles of identified passages. Eight caves, including an open sinkhole, have been designated as outstanding natural features.
The Ozark forest is mostly White oak and Shortleaf pine, Missouri's only native pine species. Along the rivers, Sycamore, Cottonwood, River birch and maples are common. Redbud and Dogwood are abundant, putting on a spectacular show during most spring months.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (573) 323-4236.
Historic and picturesque Alley Mill and the scenic Alley Spring are nearby. The mill is open daily in the summer and rangers offer tours upon request. Pretty Round Spring is close to the campground as well.
From the east on US Highway 60, turn north on Missouri Highway 19 in the town of Winona. Continue north 12 miles to the town of Eminence. From Eminence, Alley Spring campground is located five minutes west of State Highway 106.
From Mountain View, travel 19 miles east from Mountain View on US Highway 60 and turn north on County Highway E. Go north on E for 10 miles until you reach State Highway 106, then turn west on 106 for two miles. The Alley Spring Campground is on the south side of Highway 106.
Winter of 2011. Three inch snow expected in St. Louis. Six inches at Alley the next morning. Started at midnight.
Drove from Saint Clair Mo. To Cuba, down highway 19. By the time I hit Salem there were no more cars, trucks, or plows till I hit Eminence around 7 a.m. From Round Spring to Alley, I left the only tracks, on 19 and 106. Could not see, determine entrance to Alley entrance. The old campground. But managed to find parking area, take two hour nap and get these pics around 9 a.m.
Hiked the trail up over the Mill to rock walled lookout. Six inches of white powder everywhere. Only my tracks.
Also hiked the trail around the spring to old wooden bridge, near the Mill. And the bridge over spring branch that took old road to Eminence.
As most know, highway 19 is one of the most dangerous roads from Round Spring to Eminence. On dry pavement. With six inches of snow and a short wheel base Blazer.
Well. It was fun.
Enjoy.
Great camp ground. Clean bathrooms with real toilets and running water. Big campsites with plenty of privacy. Harvey's does a convenient pick up and drop off for floaters etc. for a fun day on the river. We've been coming here for years and plan on many years more.
We are new to Missouri and were told this is a must see. I’m glad we went! It’s a bit of a drive from Springfield, but so worth it! The water is absolutely gorgeous!! Be sure to hike around the mill. Because we went during winter months, the tour hadn’t started up so we will have to go back for that. There are some informational posts so you can still get some history even without the tour.
There are campgrounds nearby if you want to make a weekend trip!
Beautiful area and very nice and well maintained campground. The electric sites are a little tight, but not impossible to back into. I wouldn't want to try with anything much bigger than our 29 foot bumper pull camper though unless it was a 5th wheel because there isn't much space to maneuver. The mill and spring were stunningly beautiful and pictures don't do it justice. The swimming area in the campground is decent and a nice deep and very cold spring fed swimming hole is next to the river access. Beware you will likely have zero cell service in most of the campground. I was able to get a few texts here and there but internet was non existent. So make sure and download your music ahead of time. Also look up things to do and see ahead of time. There are tons of things to do and see around the area so get a plan together before you arrive.
The general store across the road from the campground is a good spot to get firewood and supplies, as well as set up floating and other activities.
This place was absolutely amazing. Campgrounds were clean and tidy as well as the restrooms. We put in the river here and kayaked down the jackforks river. We've been here twice this year and both times were amazing.
