From STL
~2.5 hrs
From KC
~4 hrs
Water Clarity
9/10
Difficulty
Class II · Some experience recommended
Season
Mar – Jun
Right Now
Live conditions on the Jacks Fork
USGS gauge data, refreshed when this page loads. River conditions change fast — always confirm with your outfitter the morning of your trip.
— CFS
Fetching latest reading from USGS…
Recommended Outfitter
Where to book
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
NPS-permitted outfitters on Jacks Fork. Check NPS site for current operators.
All Outfitters
Every outfitter on the Jacks Fork
Tap any marker for phone, website, and directions. Pricing and hours change seasonally — confirm directly with the outfitter before booking.
4 outfitters on this river.
Float Tips
What to know before you go
Party Float tip: Jacks Fork doesn't attract the rowdy crowd. Better suited for a capable small group than a large casual party.
Chill Float tip: One of the best family rivers in Missouri if your crew has paddling experience. Spring bluffs are spectacular.
Dog tip: Jacks Fork is quieter than the Current, which means more space for dogs on gravel bars. The calmer stretches are easy for dogs to swim. PFD recommended for strong currents.
Segments
Where to put in, where to take out
Recommended stretches with mileage and notes. Best segment to start with is highlighted in the segment notes below.
Upper Jacks (above Alley Spring)
Consistently recommended by experienced floaters as the most scenic and remote stretch on Jacks Fork. Fewer people, wilder character. Best floated in spring when water levels are higher.
Prongs to Alley Spring~13 mi
Described by one experienced paddler as the most scenic river stretch they have floated across 15 states. Technical in places — plan to line your canoe through some sections. Allow extra time for exploring. Jam Up Cave is a highlight. A natural arch sits high in the bluffs upstream from Jam Up but is hard to find. Most caves are gated due to white nose disease in bats.
Alley Spring to Eminence~7 mi
A local favorite for weekday floats. Shorter and quicker than most segments — some paddlers have done it twice in a day. Beautiful and less trafficked than the popular lower stretches.
Alley Spring to Two Rivers~16 mi
The recommended default segment. Best split into two days with a gravel bar camp. Put in late afternoon, float an hour, find a gravel bar. Day two covers the rest at a relaxed pace.
Buck Hollow to Rymer~10 mi
Highly recommended by local paddlers for scenery and a good pace. Lesser known than the Alley to Two Rivers segment.
Prongs to Bay Creek
Recommended by multiple floaters as the most scenic segment on Jacks Fork. Remote and wild. Best for experienced paddlers.
Williams Landing to Two Rivers
A solid day or overnight segment in the lower section of Jacks Fork where it meets the Current.
Must-See Stops
Springs, caves, and bluffs to look for
Jam Up Cave
A large cave accessible from the river on the Prongs to Alley stretch. One of the most impressive geological features on Jacks Fork. Bring a good flashlight.
Natural arch above Jam Up
A natural rock arch high in the bluffs upstream from Jam Up Cave. Requires a climb — rarely found even by experienced floaters. Worth hunting for.
Alley Spring and mill
A historic grist mill at the Alley Spring access point. One of the most photographed sites in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The spring produces a vivid blue-green pool.
Bluff climbs (Prongs to Alley)
Multiple climbable bluffs along this stretch with spectacular views of the river corridor from above. Some of the best views in the Ozarks.
Wild horse herds (Broadfoot Field area)
Small herds of feral horses roam the river bottoms along the Current and Jacks Fork — the Broadfoot Field herd is closest to this stretch. About 50 horses total live in the riverways, protected by the Missouri Wild Horse League. Sightings from the water aren't guaranteed, but quiet floats through open river bottoms are your best chance. Echo Bluff State Park (a short drive away) is the most reliable spot if you want a guaranteed viewing.
Fishing
What's biting on the Jacks Fork
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Also Consider
Eleven Point River
Both have remote Ozark character — Eleven Point is even quieter