Family Vacation to Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Ozark National Scenic Riverways was created by an Act of Congress on August 24, 1964, to protect 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri. The clean, clear waters of these two beautiful rivers provide excellent opportunities for johnboating, canoeing, swimming, fishing and tubing. Hiking, hunting and horseback riding are also enjoyed in the park. The landscape is predominantly rural, with broadleaf forests and occasional open fields.

The southeast Missouri Ozark Mountains are typified by narrow steep-sided hollows, numerous streams, springs and bluffs. Some dry hilltops feature desert-like glades where collared lizards, tarantulas, cacti and other species more typical of the Southwest may be found.

Much of the area is underlain by soluble limestone and dolomite, giving rise to sinkholes, caves, and springs of a classical karst topography. There are over 300 recorded caves within the boundaries and nearly as many springs.

Enjoy Great Outdoors Month with your Kids

Great Outdoors Month, 2008, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

From the Appalachian Mountains to the Grand Canyon, America is blessed with places of natural beauty where our citizens can discover the full splendor of this great Nation. During Great Outdoors Month, our Nation celebrates the grandeur of our open spaces, strengthens our commitment to preserving this heritage, and reaffirms our dedication to protecting our air, water, and lands.

My Administration remains dedicated to wise stewardship of the environment, and we will continue to protect our Nation's natural wonders. This past year, we have made great strides in helping wildlife thrive and in restoring habitat for migratory birds through cooperative conservation. Working with State and tribal officials, we are preserving important wildlife habitats and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge system. Citizens can visit takepride.gov to learn more about opportunities to care for our environment.

Great Outdoors Month is an opportunity to honor those who work to keep our natural places beautiful and to celebrate some of our country's favorite outdoor pastimes. These activities encourage a healthy lifestyle and give Americans pride in the great American landscape. As responsible stewards of our natural resources, we can help ensure that the great outdoors will be available for enjoyment by generations to come.

Jewel Cave

When Jewel Cave was established as a National Monument in 1908, it was thought to be a small but pretty cave. It wasn't until about 1960 when explorers began to realize Jewel Cave may be one of the longest caves in the world.

The primary resource of Jewel Cave National Monument is the cave itself. Jewel Cave is a unique world of sparkling calcite crystals, delicate strands of gypsum, and other spectacular cave formations. It contains large rooms strewn with boulders, tight crawlways, and dark fissures leading into the unknown.

Jewel Cave National Monument encompasses 1275 acres of ponderosa pine forest and hosts a rich diversity of native plants. The Monument also contains many introduced non-native plant species. Controlling the spread of invasive exotic species is a primary objective of resource management at Jewel Cave.
Many animal species make Jewel Cave National Monument their home. Most live in the ponderosa pine forest and open meadows of the surface, but some also live in the cave itself.

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Family Vacation to Ozark National Scenic Riverways

Enjoy Great Outdoors Month with your Kids

Jewel Cave