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Current River State Park
Established in 2008, the Current River State Park is one of the newest state parks in Missouri. The park is only open Friday through Sunday, due to continuing development of the park. The park was once a corporate retreat for the Alton Box Board Company, started in the 1930s and finally closing in 1996.
Location
The Current River State Park is located in Salem, MO, an hours drive south of Rolla in south-central Missouri. Located on the Current River, part of the park falls under the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Fishing
Current River State Park has two lakes, one open year round and one open seasonally. Fishers can find largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie in both lakes.
Canoeing
Canoes and kayaks are permitted in both lakes. Motorized boats are not allowed. The park includes the Current River, but there is no boat ramp along the river (or the lakes).
Historic Buildings of the Alton Club
Many of the buildings that were part of the corporate retreat, the Alton Club, are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park offers tours of many of the original buildings, including the lodge, gym, and pool hall.
Trails
The state park has four different trails, ranging in length from the mile and a half Centennial Bluff Trail, to five mile Current River Trail. The Ninebark Trail is two and a half miles long, and goes through a beautiful woods with wildflowers and old oak trees. The Jones Hollow Trail is a four mile trail that takes you through woods full of dogwoods and maples to Jones Hollow. The Current River Trail starts in the southern part of Echo Bluff State Park, and takes you from that park into Current River State Park, down to the Current River.