About This Trip
Missouri's Ozark Highlands region offers some of the most underrated motorcycle riding in the central United States. The route connects Van Buren to Eminence and through to the Current River valley along a combination of state highways that cut through the Mark Twain National Forest — 120 miles of rolling curves, forested ridgelines, and river crossings with almost no commercial traffic.
The Current River is the centerpiece of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park unit established to protect a free-flowing river. Fed by enormous springs that maintain a constant 58°F, the Current runs clear blue-green through limestone bluffs and gravel bars. Big Spring, one of the largest single-outlet springs in the world, discharges an average of 276 million gallons per day at a constant temperature.
Eminence is the de facto hub of Ozark riding — a small town that fills with motorcycles on good-weather weekends from April through October. The road from Eminence to Jadwin along Highway 19 is a particular favorite: a 25-mile stretch of consistent rhythm curves through old-growth forest with almost no traffic.
Best time to ride: April through June and September through November. Summer is hot and humid but the forest provides shade. Fall color in the Ozarks peaks around late October and rivals the better-known Appalachian displays.
Stops
Van Buren, MO — Eastern Start
A small town on the Current River that serves as the eastern gateway to the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Fuel here before heading west. The riverfront park has good views of the Current River bluffs and is a popular canoe launch point.
Big Spring
One of the largest springs in the world, discharging up to 840 million gallons per day of crystal-clear 58°F water into the Current River. The National Park Service maintains a small visitor center and a short trail to the spring outlet. The blue-green color of the water against limestone bluffs is remarkable.
Eminence, MO — Ozark Hub
The unofficial capital of Ozark motorcycle riding. The town fills with bikes on dry weekends from spring through fall. Several campgrounds and float trip outfitters operate here. The junction of Highways 19 and 106 is the starting point for several excellent loop routes through the surrounding national forest.