River Hills Traveler

02/17/2026

Campground Host Opportunities

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is seeking volunteer campground host(s) to serve at the Alley Spring Campground and Pulltite Campground, located near Eminence, Missouri, and at Big Spring Campground, located near Van Buren, Missouri.

America’s first national park to protect a river system encompasses 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork rivers in southeast Missouri. The rivers are fed by hundreds of springs, with numerous springs contributing more than 50 million gallons each to the rivers. The park is a busy summer destination for camping and floating on the crystal clear, spring-fed rivers. Spring and fall offer breathtaking scenery and mild weather for outdoor recreation and sightseeing.

Camp hosts serve the park from May to September, work in partnership with park staff to manage the campground, and help ensure all visitors have a safe and enjoyable stay!

For a complete description of the position and to apply, use this link: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ00000LGzwHYAT/campground-host-smultiple-locations

02/17/2026

Catch-and-keep trout season opens March 1

Every March 1, hundreds of die-hard anglers line the banks at one of Missouri’s trout parks for opening day of catch-and-keep trout season.

In past years, anglers have faced frigid winter temperatures, snow, sleet and ice, as well as sunshine and springlike weather, all in the attempt to catch an elusive lunker trout. This Missouri tradition creates lasting memories, along with some big fish stories.

This year, Sunday, March 1, at 6:30 a.m. marks the opening of the season that runs through Oct. 31. To participate, Missouri residents ages 16 to 64 and nonresidents 16 and older are required to purchase a fishing permit.

In addition to a fishing permit, trout anglers must also purchase a daily trout tag. Tags can be purchased at the trout parks: Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon and Montauk State Park near Salem.

A daily trout tag at the three state parks costs $5 for adults and $3 for youth 15 years and younger. Daily fishing permits are $9. The daily limit is four trout, and the possession limit is eight. For more information on fishing at trout parks, visit mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/trout/trout-parks.

Anglers are encouraged to purchase their fishing permits ahead of time from any of numerous vendors throughout Missouri, online at mdc-web.s3licensing.com/ or through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s free MO Fishing mobile app.

The Roaring River State Park store will be open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, while the park's restaurant will be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Store hours are 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, and open all day and night, closing at 8 p.m. Sunday. Restaurant hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The parks’ campgrounds, lodging units and restaurants will be busy. Visitors should be prepared with their own water and snacks, and dress appropriately for the weather.

Opening day photos and trout tag sales information from all three state trout parks will be available on the trout season opening day webpage.

Anglers can share their photos from opening day through social media by tagging or using on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Trout season in Missouri is a cooperative effort of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks managing the state parks, and the Missouri Department of Conservation operating the hatcheries and stocking the streams with trout.

To help prevent the spread of the invasive alga didymo or “rock snot,” the use of shoes, boots or waders with porous soles of felt, matted or woven fibrous material is prohibited at all trout parks, trout streams, Lake Taneycomo and buffer areas.

For more information on trout season opening, visit mostateparks.com or call Roaring River State Park at (417) 847-2539, Bennett Spring State Park at (417) 532-4338 or Montauk State Park at (573) 548-2201.

Get your Missouri fishing license and read up on the seasons and regulations.

02/09/2026

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District will host a series of drop‑in workshops in February to help neighboring landowners identify and address boundary line issues on federal land around Table Rock Lake.

Landowners are invited to attend any workshop and drop-in at their convenience between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to meet one‑on‑one with USACE team members. Workshop attendance is not required to participate.

Interested landowners can use the registration form at www.swl.usace.army.mil/TableRockBLR to identify potential boundary line issues. After a form is submitted, USACE will review the information, check the parcel, and contact the landowner with next steps.

Workshop dates and locations:

• Feb. 17 – Dewey Short Visitor Center 4500 Historic Hwy 165 Branson, MO

• Feb. 18 – New Testament Christian Church 21016 Main St. Reeds Spring, MO

• Feb. 19 – United Methodist Church 25682 State Hwy YY, Shell K**b, MO

USACE is using new federal authorities to address boundary line issues around Table Rock Lake. The process identifies eligible homes or improvements that extend onto federal land and gives landowners a clear path toward resolution, including continued usage of the structure as allowed by law.

For a boundary line issue to be considered for resolution, the habitable structure or supporting feature must have been in place before January 4, 2025, and must be located above elevation 936. Examples include homes, attached garages, utilities, septic systems, and similar improvements.

These workshops support the district’s implementation of new authorities provided through the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and updated guidance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division. These authorities allow USACE to address certain preexisting boundary line issues through a streamlined process, including the potential for eligible landowners to receive an easement for property use that includes the current owner and one future owner.

Previously, unresolved boundary line issues could delay shoreline use permit requests for the same property. Under updated guidance, USACE will no longer delay permit requests because of existing boundary line issues. Instead, boundary concerns will be addressed through the new resolution process without holding up shoreline use permit actions.

More information and the registration form are available at www.swl.usace.army.mil/TableRockBLR.

01/26/2026

Our office is closed today due to road conditions. Stay safe, everyone.

01/20/2026

Nobody wants a run-in with a brown recluse spider. Just ask the Traveler's Bill Hoagland.

https://www.riverhillstraveler.com/your-hunting-cabin-the-brown-recluse-spider/

01/19/2026

Did you hear a rare white bald eagle was spotted in Stella, down in Newton County? We're going there today and will let you know what we see. Here's more places to check out this month:

https://www.riverhillstraveler.com/look-for-eagles-on-your-own/

01/18/2026

Don't right the feeling when you're out hunting; just go with your gut. And thank us later.

https://www.riverhillstraveler.com/dont-fight-the-feeling/

01/17/2026

A southwest Missouri state representative wants to restore hunting rights to landowners. What do you think?

https://www.riverhillstraveler.com/restoring-landowner-hunting-rights-in-missouri/

01/16/2026

Got fond memories of interesting people or "characters" at deer camp? Larry Whiteley sure does. Read all about it here:

Deer camp characters Leave a Comment / Columnists, Hunting / By Larry Whiteley Every deer camp has individuals with a special uniqueness that, when blended like spices and seasonings in a recipe, make the deer camp the special place it is. Our deer camp had Dean. A bundle of energy and wisecracks wh...

01/09/2026

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All subscribers, unless you signed up for online only, get a mix of our print and online editions and we don't want you to be left out!

12/04/2025

Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Ozark Riverways Foundation will host two festive holiday events in December, inviting the public to celebrate the season in the heart of the Ozarks.

Carols at Alley Mill
Saturday, December 13 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Visitors can step back in time at historic Alley Mill, which will be decorated for the holidays. The evening will feature candlelight caroling, ornament-making, and seasonal refreshments. The mill’s scenic setting provides a perfect backdrop for holiday photos. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for this event.

Alley Spring is located five miles west of Eminence on State Highway 106.

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Christmas Celebration at Mt. Zion Church (Akers)
Sunday, December 14 | 2 p.m.
The celebration continues at Mt. Zion Church with holiday stories from the Akers community, traditional caroling, special displays, and a visit from Santa Claus. Complimentary holiday treats will be available. Participating organizations include Friends of Mt. Zion, Dent County Historical Society, Ozark Heritage Project, and the Shannon County Museum Association.

Mt. Zion Church is located half a mile north of Akers on State Highway K.

Both events are free and open to the public.