Watercress campground
Watercress
The campground provides a variety of amenities including flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water. There are 17 primitive campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
An interesting fact about the area is that it is named after the watercress plant, which grows abundantly in the nearby streams and creeks. Watercress is a popular ingredient in salads and is known for its high nutrient content.
The best time to visit Watercress Camping Area is during the spring and fall when temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit. Summer temperatures can reach up to the mid-90s, making it a less popular time to camp.
In summary, Watercress Camping Area is an ideal destination for nature lovers looking for a peaceful camping experience in the heart of Missouri's picturesque wilderness. With stunning views, nearby natural attractions, and plenty of amenities, it's a great place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature.
What's on-site at Watercress
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Watercress, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watercress Recreation Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Van Buren | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Big Spring - Ozark National Scenic River | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Big Spring Campgrounds | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Logyard | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Watercress -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Current River At Van Buren | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Logan Creek At Ellington | 6 cfs | → |
| Black River At Leeper | 564 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Eminence | 260 cfs | → |
| Jacks Fork At Alley Spring | 116 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Annapolis | 318 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Watercress -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Dam - Black Rvr | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Peck Ranch Conservation Area
- Conservation Area Current River
- Mule Hollow Glade Natural Area
- Conservation Area Rocky Creek
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Logan Creek Conservation Area
Boat launches
- Carter Co 105 Carter County
- Van Buren
- County Road 60-102 Carter County
- Us 60 Carter County
- Shannon County
- Turner Mill North River Access
Fishing spots
Points of interest
Paddle runs
- The Most Upstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To The Most Downstream Portion Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways
- Markam Spring Recreation Area To Nf Boundary
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- Forest Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 4, T33n, R5e To Forest Boundary At South Section Line Of Sec 35, T32n, R5e
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Watercress as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Watercress
Can I make reservations at Watercress?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Watercress?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Watercress.