Current River Challenge: Last and First Day Hikes and First Day Float

12/31/2019 to 1/1/2020 | Echo Bluff State Park | Eminence, MO

Complete the Current River Challenge! End the old year with a Last Day Hike and begin the new year with a First Day Hike and First Day Float.

Last Day Hike: Dec. 31, 1-3 p.m.

Join park staff and the Ozark Trail Association for a Last Day Hike, the first leg of the Current River Challenge. Meet at the Betty Lea Lodge at Echo Bluff State Park at 1 p.m. Participants will carpool to Round Springs, where they will hike the newest section of the Current River Trail, completed this fall. They will then hike 4 miles from Round Springs back to the Betty Lea Lodge. This should take about two hours to complete.

First Day Hike: Jan. 1, 9-11 a.m.

Meet at the Betty Lea Lodge at 8:30 a.m. The hike will start at 9 a.m. Hike the Current River Trail from Echo Bluff to Current River State Park. This is a 4-mile hike and the second leg of the challenge. This one-way guided hike should take about two hours to complete.

First Day Hikes are promoted by America's State Parks, and you will be joining hikers from all 50 states. Click here to view more First Day Hikes at Missouri State Parks.

First Day Float: Jan. 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The "warming station" will be open at Current River State Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone who would like to float from Current River State Park or anyone doing a longer float who wants to stop by to have something hot to drink or warm up by the fire. This is the last leg of the Current River Challenge.

Registration for the hikes is not required but is encouraged. Click here to register. Under "Category of Activity," select "Programs & Special Events." Then, select "Echo Bluff State Park."

For more information about the hikes or the Current River Challenge, contact Connie Weber at 573-751-1224 or email connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov. Participants are responsible for ALL equipment.

Echo Bluff State Park is located at: