Sinking Creek Campground

Closed

Basic Information

Located conveniently off Highway 19, Sinking Creek Campground is extremely popular in summer. Each season, thousands of visitors enjoy swimming, sunbathing, floating, and more. A large gravel bar makes recreation a breeze, and with access to Sinking Creek and the Current River, swimmers can enjoy both warm and cool waters.

This location is also very close to Round Spring and Echo Bluff, which offer other recreational opportunities. A number of hiking trails pass through the area.

TOTAL SITES: 8

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 30

• 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

Sinking Creek 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 30

• 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 number will reach Big Spring Entrance Station.

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 490
Van Buren, MO 63965

Physical Address

NPS Road 145
Eminence, MO 65466

Directions

Sinking Creek Campground is located roughly 20 minutes north of Eminence, MO. Starting in Eminence, drive north on Highway 19. After about 14 miles, there will be a bridge over Sinking Creek. After crossing the bridge, take the first left. A short gravel road will take you to the campground, about 600 feet away. This route requires driving on a gravel road for about one tenth of a mile. Most vehicles are fine on this road.

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

Lush green trees cast shade onto a number of campsites.

A gravel road passes a sunny campsite with an RV.

A woman sits in a camping chair next to a shallow creek.

A river eddy cuts into a gravel bar at Sinking Creek.

A creek passes under a bridge and along gravel bars.

Shawnee Creek offers mostly shaded campsites - all within a minute walk of the Current River.
NPS Photo / Jessica Poppa

A few sunny sites are located near the gravel bar. They are often used for campers and RVs.
NPS Photo / Jessica Poppa

Sinking Creek is often warmer due to its shallow, rain-fed nature.
NPS Photo / Jessica Poppa

Where the Current River and Sinking Creek collide, "eddies" and other interesting formations occur.
NPS Photo / Jessica Poppa

Sinking Creek flows into Ozark National Scenic Riverways from Echo Bluff State Park.
NPS Photo / Jessica Poppa

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - The restroom facility is accessible. Otherwise, there are no ADA campsites within this campground. For nearby accessible campsites, please visit Alley Spring Campground instead.

Wheelchair Access - Apart from the restroom building, 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.