Jerktail Campground

Closed

Basic Information

On summer days, Jerktail is a bustling location for floating, swimming, and recreation. The Current River, huge gravel bars, deep swimming holes, and impressive bluffs draw visitors year after year.

At night, campers can enjoy beautiful night skies and true Ozark seclusion. Jerktail Campground is one of the most remote locations in the park. Under the right conditions, visitors can see the Milky Way stretch across the sky. In the summer months, fireflies can make for a dazzling display.

TOTAL SITES: 3

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 0

Walk to/Boat to: 0

Group: 0

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

No

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

No

Food Storage Lockers

No

Camp Store

No

Ice for Sale

No

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

No

Amphitheater

No

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

No Water

Fire/Stove Policy

Fires are permitted in designated fire rings and grills. Visit our camping regulations page for other policies regarding fires, stoves, and lanterns: https://www.nps.gov/ozar/learn/management/camping-regulations.htm

Toilet Types

• Vault Toilets - year round

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

Closed today

Current Hours (Temporary Closure)

January 1–December 31

• Every Day:Closed

This campground is temporarily closed pending repairs after a flood in November 2024. For updates, check our Current Conditions page or visit our Facebook at facebook.com/Ozarkriverways.

Show Standard Hours

Standard Hours

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

Jerktail Campground is typically open throughout the year. The campground may be temporarily closed during/after flooding or storms.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Temporary Closure

January 1–December 31

• Every Day:Closed

This campground is temporarily closed pending repairs after a flood in November 2024. For updates, check our Current Conditions page or visit our Facebook at facebook.com/Ozarkriverways.

Holidays

2025–2026

New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	Closed
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	Closed
Memorial Day	May 26, 2025	Closed
Juneteenth National Independence Day	June 19, 2025	Closed
Independence Day	July 4, 2025	Closed
Labor Day	September 1, 2025	Closed
Columbus Day	October 13, 2025	Closed
Veterans Day	November 11, 2025	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

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Weather

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is located in southeast Missouri. Summer temperatures generally range from 75-100 degrees with high humidity. Winter temperatures generally range from 0-50 degrees with periods of intermittent freezing and snow.

Fees

Standard Site

Nightly fee for standard sites starting April 15, 2025.

$10.00

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

Send this campground an email
Email us for questions about park campgrounds and their regulations.

Phone number (Voice)

[phone]
This is the number for Big Spring Entrance Station.

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 490
Van Buren, MO 63965

Physical Address

County Road 224
Eminence Township, MO 65466

Directions

Jerktail Campground is located roughly 30 minutes from Eminence, Missouri. Starting in Eminence, drive north on Highway 19. Follow the highway for 5 miles, then turn right onto County Road 19-221. Follow this gravel road for 2.5 miles. At this point, the road forks left and right in a "Y" shape. Turn right into County Road 224. After another 1.4 miles, the road will fork again. Turn right to stay on County Road 224. After 2 miles, the road will end at Jerktail. This route drives on gravel roads for 6 miles.

Directions Details

Additional Information & Regulations

Cell Phone Additional Information

Cell phone service is generally unreliable. Connectivity depends on carrier and location within the campground.

Regulations

Visit our Camping Regulations page for rules governing quiet hours, generators, fires, hammocks, and more.

More about regulations

Reservations

Backcountry campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting on April 15, 2025, backcountry sites will require fees year-round. Payment will only be possible through the "Scan & Pay" system, via the recreation.gov app. Visitors should download the app and set up their account prior to arrival.

Image Gallery

A tent and pickup truck occupy a campsite near the river's edge.

A campsite with lush green vegetation, dappled shade, and basic amenities.

A gravel bar descends towards the water's edge. Trees hang overhead.

A small vault toilet building in the woods.

Two men enjoy their campsite near the river's edge.

As a remote, small campground, Jerktail offers one of the most peaceful landscapes in the park.
NPS Photo / Wil Marischen

Sites at Jerktail offer a decent amount of space for tents, campers, and more. Trees provide partial shade in the morning and afternoon.
NPS Photo / Wil Marischen

On summer weekends, gravel bars like these can be busy with floaters, swimmers, and more.
NPS Photo / Wil Marischen

The vault toilet at Jerktail is located just uphill from the campground.
NPS Photo / Wil Marischen

Jerktail Campground can have some of the best secluded camping in the region.
NPS Photo / Wil Marischen

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - The restroom can be reached by foot or vehicle. Otherwise, there are no ADA campsites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring Campground instead.

Wheelchair Access - This area is not wheelchair accessible.

RV & Trailer Information - RVs and trailers are allowed as specified in our campground regulations.

RV Allowed - Yes

Trailer Allowed - Yes

Classification - This campground is a limited development campground.