Ozark Riverways Guide

04/08/2026

Happening in Van Buren this weekend!

This weekend April 11th City Wide Yard Sale in Van Buren

04/07/2026

☕ Riverways Guide Spotlight: The Ranch House & Coffee Shop

Right in the heart of downtown Van Buren, The Ranch House Coffee Shop & Creamery has become a place people know they can stop in all year long.

While many spots around the Ozark Riverways operate mainly during the summer float season, The Ranch House stays open through every season — welcoming visitors during spring float trips, fall foliage drives, and even winter visits to the springs.

This family-owned café offers breakfast and lunch along with a full coffee and espresso bar. One of the things that makes it special is their connection to Valley Vision Ranch, where much of their beef is raised locally. They also serve farm-fresh Carter County eggs, Missouri roasted coffee, and in-house hand-dipped ice cream, all made with a focus on quality and simple Ozark hospitality.

Whether you're heading out to float the Current River, exploring the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, or just passing through town, The Ranch House has become a familiar stop for locals and travelers alike.

📍 306 Main Street – Van Buren, MO
📞 573-707-8047

If you’ve stopped in before, what’s your favorite thing on the menu?

You can also learn more about Valley Vision Ranch here - https://www.valleyvisionranch.com/

04/06/2026

🍦 A Sign That Float Season Is Getting Close…

The Jolly Cone On The Current in Van Buren has officially reopened for the season as of March 10th!

For many folks heading to the Current River or Big Spring, stopping at the Jolly Cone has become a tradition — whether it’s a burger after a long float or an ice cream cone before heading back home.

If you're planning a spring or summer trip to Van Buren or the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, this is one of those classic local stops worth checking out.

📍 Located in Van Buren, Missouri
🍔 Burgers, shakes, cones, and float-day comfort food

Question for everyone:
What’s your go-to order at the Jolly Cone?

03/26/2026

🌿 Do you recognize this road?

This is Highway 103 heading toward Big Spring, just outside Van Buren — one of the most traveled routes into the heart of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Every season, thousands of visitors take this road on their way to the Current River, Big Spring, and the surrounding Ozarks.

It got us thinking…

👇 What would you like to see along this stretch of road?

• A campground for floaters
• A small snack house or sandwich stop
• An Airbnb or cabin getaway
• A few small shops for river travelers
• Something completely different?

There’s a lot of potential in the Riverways corridor, especially along routes like this.

(Full transparency: we own a property along this stretch that’s currently listed, which is what sparked the idea.)

We’d love to hear your thoughts — what would make this area even better for visitors and locals?

03/23/2026

🌊 Let’s talk Ozark rivers…

Everyone has a favorite stretch of river.

Some love the peaceful upper waters near Steelville along the Meramec River, or spending time around Montauk State Park. Others head toward Eminence and the Jacks Fork River, while many spend their summers floating the Current River near Van Buren, Doniphan, or even exploring around Ellington.

👇 We want to hear from you:

1. What’s your favorite spot to float, swim, or relax along the rivers?
(Current River, Jacks Fork, Meramec, or anywhere in the Ozarks)

AND

2. As we build the Ozark Riverways Guide…
Would you rather see it:

👍 Focus mostly on the Ozark National Scenic Riverways area
OR
❤️ Expand to include more of the rivers beyond the park — from places like Steelville and Salem all the way downriver — for a full Ozark rivers guide

We’re building this for YOU — so your input helps shape what comes next.

Tag your favorite spots, float routes, or hidden gems 👇

03/16/2026

🌊 Floating season is just around the corner in the Ozarks!

The beautiful Current River and Jacks Fork River will soon be filling with canoes, kayaks, and families ready to enjoy the clear spring-fed waters of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

Spring and summer here mean:

🚣 Canoeing & kayaking
🎣 Fishing the cold clear rivers
🏕️ Camping along the water
🥾 Hiking scenic Ozark trails
📷 Exploring historic mills, springs, and overlooks

We can’t wait to start sharing more photos, float tips, hidden spots, and upcoming events around Van Buren, Eminence, and the Riverways.

Who’s ready to get back on the water?

02/24/2026

Summer isn’t that far off… which means float season will be here before we know it ☀️🛶

If you’re planning a trip on the Current River or Jacks Fork River, we want to hear from you!

What’s the MOST accurate and reliable place you’ve found for river maps?
Paper maps, apps, outfitters, websites — what do you trust the most?

Drop your favorites in the comments 👇
Your suggestions may help other floaters plan better trips this season!

02/21/2026

Temporary Website Update — Ozark Riverways Guide

If you’ve tried to visit the Ozark Riverways Guide today, you may have noticed the site is temporarily unavailable.

Our app platform provider has placed the site under a routine review, and we’re working with them to restore access as soon as possible. We expect this to be resolved soon.

In the meantime, our other projects remain available:

🌐 www.ozarkrivergifts.com
🌐 www.explorepoplarbluff.com
🌐 www.historicpoplarbluff.com

We appreciate your patience while this gets sorted out, and we’re looking forward to bringing the Guide back online shortly.

Thank you for supporting our local projects and community resources.

A platform connecting local Ozark experiences, crafts, and history, built by a family dedicated to preserving and sharing the beauty of Missouri.

02/05/2026

Spring and summer are right around the corner — and it’s a great time to start planning your next Ozark river and trail adventure.

If you’re thinking about floating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, or hiking in the Ozark Riverways area, the Ozark Riverways Guide is a great place to start. The app is built to help you explore access points, scenic areas, and nearby places to visit so you can plan a smoother, more enjoyable trip before you arrive.

We’re also excited to share that the Ozark Riverways Crafts & Gifts website has just been updated, with items added to the new shopping experience — and more coming soon.

Take a look here:
👉 https://ozarkrivergifts.com/ShopOzarkRiverways

Whether you’re a local or planning a weekend on the river, now is a perfect time to start exploring and getting your next Ozark adventure lined up.

12/20/2025

🎁 Holiday Catch-Ups Made Easy

Meeting a friend to swap gifts?
Grabbing coffee between errands?
Planning a relaxed lunch during the busy season?

The Ranch House & Coffee Shop offers a warm, inviting space with a great menu! Making it a perfect holiday meet-up spot for coffee, lunch, or just spending a little extra time together.

📍 A local favorite worth visiting this season.

10/27/2025

☕ As the floating and kayaking season winds down along the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, there’s still plenty of reason to visit Eminence!
Cool weather calls for cozy stops — and The Fuel House - Eminence, MO is the perfect place to warm up with a festive drink or your favorite coffee creation.

Whether you’re heading out for a fall or winter drive, or just craving something sweet and seasonal, stop in and support a great local spot that sounds as if they plan to keep the Ozarks caffeinated all year long.

📍 The Fuel House – Eminence, MO

The air’s getting cooler and the peppermint cravings are real…
When do you think we should officially announce our winter drinks lineup? ❄️☕️

We’re taking notes!