Thomas & Mark Malkowicz

According to the National Park Service, ” The Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first National Park area to protect a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers are two of the finest floating rivers you’ll find anywhere.” In an effort to help share this special place with the world, we are planning another first.

We have always been looking for new ways to explore and experience the Current River in Southern Missouri. We first started canoeing the river every summer as kids, as we grew older we began taking longer trips, camping on the gravel beaches, backpacking along the Ozark Trail, and eventually exploring the entire region. The plan for our next adventure is to paddleboard the length of the Current River inside the Ozark National Scenic Riverways – A 104 mile journey that we have set aside a week to complete. From our very limited research, we think this is the first time this has ever been attempted (and there may be good reason). As we prepare for this expedition, there are only a few things we can plan for certain; when and where to start, who will shuttle our vehicle, what food to bring and what gear to pack. Everything else, we just have to be ready for and that’s the wilderness experience we search for every time we depart.

Follow our expedition on Facebook and WheresMalko.com.

Special thanks: