Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River
Alton, Missouri · on Eleven Point River · Mark Twain National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River
The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River is a 44-mile federally protected stretch of the Eleven Point River in the Eleven Point/Doniphan Ranger District of Mark Twain National Forest, near Alton, Missouri. Designated in 1968 as one of the original eight rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, it flows through steep Ozark bluffs and forested valleys and is fed by large springs, most notably Greer Spring. The U.S. Forest Service explicitly lists swimming among the activities here, alongside canoeing, boating, and trout fishing, so this is both a classic Ozark swimming hole destination and an officially recognized river to swim in.
The river cuts through the Ozark hills of southern Missouri, running in the shadow of steep dolomite bluffs and through sloping, forested valleys and low-lying riparian bottomland hardwoods. It is fed by numerous springs emerging from the bluffs and an underground network, alternating between rapids and deep, clear pools around moss-covered boulders. Greer Spring, described by the Forest Service as the world's 10th biggest spring, more than doubles the river's flow partway down its course and turns the lower river into a cold-water fishery.
Swimming at Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River
The Forest Service states plainly that people can swim in the river even though there are no official designated swimming beaches; Riverton East Day Use Area (downstream of the stretch near Alton) is specifically called out as popular for picnicking and swimming and has accessible facilities. Near Alton/Turner Mill the water is spring-fed and cold, especially in the roughly 6-mile Blue Ribbon Trout Area between Greer Spring branch and Turner Mill, which suits waders, anglers, and cold-water swimmers more than casual bathers. General forest guidance warns that swim spots forest-wide have no lifeguards, no depth or hazard markers, and can have strong current, particularly after rain.
How to get to this swimming hole
The site sits near the nearby-named access points of Turner Mill North and Turner Mill South, both about 4.9 miles downriver of Greer Crossing on the Eleven Point River, roughly 2-3 miles from Alton, Missouri. The Forest Service directs visitors to individual access-point pages for turn-by-turn directions to each site (Thomasville, Cane Bluff, Greer Crossing, Turner Mill North/South, Whitten, Riverton East/West, etc.) rather than one general route.
Parking: Designated parking is available at multiple river access points including Boze Mill, Cane Bluff, Greer Crossing, Greer Spring, Highway 142, Morgan Spring, Riverton East, Riverton West, Thomasville, Turner Mill North, Turner Mill South, and Whitten. Turner Mill South has a paved/concrete single-lane boat launch and limited dispersed-camping parking; Greer Crossing has asphalt parking with a 60-inch vehicle+trailer length limit.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Both Turner Mill North and Turner Mill South are drive-up river access points with parking directly at (or a short walk from) the riverbank/boat launch; no dedicated hiking trail to the water was found for these two access points. (Note: a separate, unrelated 0.9-mile trail exists to Greer Spring itself, a few miles upstream, but swimming/wading is prohibited in the spring and its branch, so that trail does not lead to a swimming spot.)
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The Forest Service explicitly warns that Mark Twain NF river sites (including Eleven Point access points) have no lifeguards, no depth or hazard markers, and unmarked rocks/drop-offs, with current that can be strong after rain. The river near Turner Mill/Greer Spring is spring-fed and cold year-round, which is manageable for older kids and adults but can be a shock for small children; there are no designated, roped-off swim beaches at Turner Mill the way there are at Riverton East. Rocky/uneven river-bottom entry rather than sand.
Parking
Free
Turner Mill North: designated gravel/dirt lot with room for about 8 vehicles without trailers and 4 with trailers. Turner Mill South: parking for about 12 vehicles plus a single-lane concrete boat launch. No day-use fees are charged at any Eleven Point River access point.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets are provided at both Turner Mill North (day-use, 6am-10pm) and Turner Mill South (year-round access point with 5 campsites); no potable water at Turner Mill South, so fill up at Greer Crossing beforehand.
Water clarity
Clear
The USFS's own recreation page for this river describes 'deep clear pools' winding around moss-covered boulders and credits Greer Spring with adding 'millions of gallons of clear, cold spring water' to the flow. Turner Mill sits downstream of that inflow. No visitor commentary on clarity specifically at Turner Mill could be verified.
Hours
Turner Mill North is day-use only, 6:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Turner Mill South is open year-round with quiet hours 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. (camping permitted). No general park gate/season closure found for the river corridor itself.
On the water
Restrictions: 25-horsepower motor limit on the stretch between Thomasville and 'the Narrows' at MO Highway 142 (which includes the Turner Mill area). No paddleboard-specific rule found, but the same launch/access points serve all small non-motorized craft. Swimming, wading, and floating are prohibited in Greer Spring and its spring branch specifically (not the main river channel).
Turner Mill South has a single-lane concrete boat launch; Turner Mill North also has a put-in for canoes/kayaks per outfitter descriptions. This stretch is a classic multi-day canoe/kayak float corridor, not primarily a paddleboard destination.
Rentals nearby
Canoe, kayak, and other watercraft rentals for float trips on the Eleven Point River (self-described 'largest selection of watercraft on the Eleven Point River'), plus cabins, tent camping, and RV sites; floats pass Greer Spring, Turner Mill, Boze Mill Springs, and the Irish Wilderness
33200 US-160, Riverton, MO -- about 13 miles east of Alton, MO and 27 miles west of Doniphan, MO; roughly 0.25 mile from the river
Eleven Point River Canoe Rental
Canoe, kayak, and raft rentals plus riverside camping; also has a fly shop and fishing guide services
Prices: Canoes ~$38, kayaks ~$28, rafts ~$80, camping ~$65 (per published listing found via search; not independently verified on the business's own site)
Rt 2 Box 2522, US-160, Alton, MO 65606
Family-owned canoe, kayak, and raft rentals with shuttle service
2283 Highway 19, Greer, MO -- about 7 miles north of Alton, roughly half a mile from Greer Spring
What regulars say
Visitor reports found were sparse and mostly fishing-focused rather than swimming-focused: one angler reported wade-fishing at Turner Mill and catching smallmouth bass and trout within 45 minutes, suggesting healthy flow and access at that spot; a separate visitor asked about a planned overnight float specifically because of concern that water levels might be too low, indicating river levels can vary enough to affect trip planning and should be checked before a visit. First-hand commentary on swimming-specific clarity, crowd levels, or kid experience at Turner Mill could not be verified.
Backstory
Designated in 1968 as a 44-mile Wild and Scenic River, one of the original 8 rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Turner Mill North preserves the site of a historic mill: Turner Spring (about 1.5 million gallons/day average flow) once powered a 25-foot metal mill wheel, which still sits in the spring run today. Greer Spring and other springs along the river powered a number of historic mills.
Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River: FAQ
Does Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River charge a fee?
No day-use fees are charged at any site along the river. Camping at Greer Crossing campground has a fee, with a 50% discount for holders of the Interagency Access or Senior Pass.
Is Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River kid friendly?
The Forest Service explicitly warns that Mark Twain NF river sites (including Eleven Point access points) have no lifeguards, no depth or hazard markers, and unmarked rocks/drop-offs, with current that can be strong after rain. The river near Turner Mill/Greer Spring is spring-fed and cold year-round, which is manageable for older kids and adults but can be a shock for small children; there are no designated, roped-off swim beaches at Turner Mill the way there are at Riverton East. Rocky/uneven river-bottom entry rather than sand.
Do I need to hike to reach Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River?
Turner Mill North: designated gravel/dirt lot with room for about 8 vehicles without trailers and 4 with trailers. Turner Mill South: parking for about 12 vehicles plus a single-lane concrete boat launch. No day-use fees are charged at any Eleven Point River access point.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River?
Turner Mill South has a single-lane concrete boat launch; Turner Mill North also has a put-in for canoes/kayaks per outfitter descriptions. This stretch is a classic multi-day canoe/kayak float corridor, not primarily a paddleboard destination.
What are the rules at Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River?
No overnight camping in day-use areas at any time of year; dogs must be leashed (6 ft) in day-use areas; no trash containers provided at most sites (pack out all trash); fireworks prohibited; park only in designated areas; no glass or polystyrene on the river; motorized boats limited to 25 horsepower between Thomasville and 'the Narrows' at Highway 142. At Greer Spring specifically, swimming, wading, and floating are prohibited in the spring and spring branch itself (this restriction applies to the spring, not the main river).
What water body is Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River on?
Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River is on Eleven Point River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
