Open house, boat rides at Big Spring on Sept. 7

Join us for modern jonboat rides and open house in the Big Spring Historic District from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. This program is free of charge and all are invited.

Visitors can enjoy a brief excursion on the Current River with a skilled local guide, departing from the boat dock in front of the Big Spring Dining Lodge.

Several rooms of the lodge will be open for visitors to view during this event. Park staff will provide tours of this historic structure, which was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. An authentic wooden jonboat and commissary camp will be on display.

Traditional Ozark float trips conducted by local guide services provided opportunities for many early visitors to experience the clear, pristine waters of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers.

Wooden, handcrafted jonboats once played a major role in Ozark life and the growth of tourism along the rivers. Ozark residents used jonboats for logging, hunting, gigging, trapping, running trot lines and fish traps. Local entrepreneurs organized businesses to outfit and guide boating excursions after the establishment of the state parks.

Jonboat rides were offered at Big Spring near the Big Spring Lodge into the 1980’s. These scenic river rides are a fond memory for many. Today, modern aluminum jonboats provide an opportunity for many to enjoy the rivers in much the same way.

Planning for the restoration of the Big Spring Dining Lodge and cabins is currently underway, and work to rehabilitate these beloved buildings is expected to begin in late 2020. The architectural style of the buildings features local stone and timber construction, adding a unique rustic charm to the area. During the open house, visitors can learn about the work of Civilian Conservation Corps at Big Spring.

Big Spring Lodge is located four miles south of Van Buren, Missouri, on State Route 103. Because the Big Spring Bridge is currently closed for construction, visitors should stay on State Route 103 to reach the Big Spring Lodge. For more information, call 573-323-4236.