Eminence is in the center of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It’s one of the nation’s first protected waterways. The park encompasses the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. These rivers are known for their clear, calm and cool water which is ideal for swimming, fishing, paddling and tubing. Eminence is a small town, less than 600 people live here. The post office was established in 1844. We knew this because we needed it to mail our taxes on time.
Eminence, Missouri
It has a very small-town feel. There is a gas station, restaurant, grocery store, and hardware store. During the summer, the population swells because of all the slow-moving shallow rivers. Kayakers, tubers, and sunbathers come here to get away. From Hardin, Kentucky it was a 3.5 hour drive to Eminence, Missouri.
Circle B Campground, Eminence
We were the only short timers there. They had full service but no WIFI. During the summer, they get over 600 guests at a time.
The Jacks Forks River runs adjacent to the property. Our views were beautiful.
We had a lot of rain and were treated with a full rainbow. Eventually, we had a rain free day, so we explored a couple of the nearby springs. There were more springs to explore, but we ran out of rain free days.
Blue Spring
About 14 miles from Eminence, Blue Spring feeds into the Current River. It is one of the deepest springs in the United States at over 310 feet.
Because of its depth, the spring has a beautiful blue color. The spring averages 87 million gallons of water flow a day.
The trail to the spring was filled with wildflowers like these bluebells and violets.
There were also butterflies taking in minerals, salt and amino acids from the soil for reproduction.
Sandy found a frog along the bank of the Current River.
Alley Spring Grist Mill
Alley Spring pours out over 81 million gallons of beautiful turquoise water a day.
The first mill was built in 1868. Eventually a turbine was used instead of a water wheel. Over the years, the mill was a home, a farm, school and place to meet for dances, baseball and even roller-skating.
There is a nice trail around the property. It was early spring, so wildflowers were starting to bloom.
