News-Leader: Public comment sought on new Current River hiking trail

The National Park Service is asking for comments about a proposed new hiking trail along the Current River:

Public comment is sought on plans to build a roughly 12-mile hiking trail along the Current River in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

The proposed Current River Trail would be designated for hiking only, with no motorized vehicles allowed.

The section of the park from Current River State Park to the Brushy Creek area now does not have any long distance hiking opportunities. 

According to the National Park Service: 

Current River, site of the proposed new trail, photo courtesy NPS

Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) is reviewing the Ozark Trail Association proposed Current River Trail, designated for hiking only. Presently, the section of the park from the Current River State Park to the Brushy Creek area does not have any long distance hiking opportunities. Most of the recreation is limited to activities on the river. This proposal is a cooperative planning activity between ONSR, the Ozark Trail Association (OTA), the L-A-D Foundation, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The goal is to identify a hiking trail route that will meet the following objectives:

• Provide a varied and scenic route that highlights the unique features of the area.
• Reinforce the non-motorized primitive recreational opportunities in this section of the river corridor.
• Connect with the trail network of the Current River State Park and Roger Pryor Pioneer Backcountry.
• Be designed and designated for foot-only traffic. 

This proposal will be examining different route alternatives in a corridor along north and east of the Current River, starting at the Current River State Park to Round Spring, and then down river from Round Spring to the Brushy Creek area. The trail will cross land managed by ONSR, L-A-D, and DNR

Public comment will be accepted through August 30. It may be submitted online by selecting Ozark National Scenic Riverways at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website, http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or send your comments to:

Superintendent — Current River Trail

Ozarks National Scenic Riverways

P.O. Box 490

Van Buren, MO 63965