Paddling

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A family canoes down a river.
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David Stonner
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In Missouri, floating down streams and paddling around lakes are fantastic ways to enjoy the state’s great outdoors. Whether your passion is angling for smallmouth or rock bass, keeping an eye out for elusive wildlife, or simply drifting downstream with the current, a day on the water will lift your spirits. Depending on the river or stream and your skill level, paddlers can travel in a variety of vessels, including kayaks, rafts, canoes, boats, and tubes.

New and experienced paddlers will appreciate MDC’s A Paddler’s Guide to Missouri, which features 58 rivers and streams. The guide is available at MDC offices, nature centers, and the Department’s online Nature Shop.

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Guidelines for Paddling Missouri Streams

Wear a Properly Fitted Life Jacket

A life jacket is the most important piece of equipment you will need for canoeing. Even with a life jacket, you should be comfortable with your swimming abilities.

Protect Yourself From the Sun

Wear sunscreen and a hat and/or sunglasses  the sun is hot and bright, especially when it reflects off the water. Remember, there is rarely any shade out on the water.

Bring Plenty of Drinking Water

You might work up a sweat with all of that paddling — make sure you stay hydrated.

Choose Your Stream, River, or Lake

  • Choose the correct paddling location for your skill level. A Paddler’s Guide to Missouri can give you a lot of information about Missouri streams. If you are new to canoeing, try a short paddle around a local pond or conservation area lake.
  • Be prepared if your boat capsizes. Knowing the weather conditions and water temperature before you go out can help prepare you in case your boat tips over.
  • Check the trespassing regulations to know where you are — and are not — allowed to be.
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Etiquette

Remember boat etiquette around other visitors; large boats with motors have the right of way when accessing a boat ramp.

Get Free “Stash Your Trash” Bags

Help keep Missouri streams clean and healthy while you are having fun on the water. The float outfitters listed below work with the Missouri Stream Team program to provide free “Stash Your Trash” red mesh bags. Stash your own trash, and be sure to pick up litter you encounter, too!

Missouri's streams are not only beautiful and full of life, they’re a big part of Missouri’s outdoor recreation economy. Please support the businesses that participate in the Stream Team’s Stash Your Trash program.

Stream Team Member? Get a Discount

Some of the outfitters listed below may offer a discount for Stream Team members who plan litter pickups or other Stream Team activities during their float trips. Just present your Stream Team ID. Discount types and times vary by outfitter.

Not a Stream Team member? Visit www.mostreamteam.org to join the network of thousands of volunteers who help protect Missouri streams.

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Two canoers put plastic containers in a "Stash Your Trash" red mesh bag.
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Two canoers put plastic containers in a "Stash Your Trash" red mesh bag.
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MDC
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Related Missouri Conservationist Stories

Find Canoe Outfitters

Displaying 1 - 10 of 93
Business Address Phone Stream Team Discount
Arrowhead Campground
arrowheadcampgrounds.com
17901 State Highway Y
Glenallen, MO 63751
573-495-2137
No
Big Rock Candy Mtn. Retreat
bigrockcandymt.com
36225 Big Rock Candy Mt
Jadwin, MO 65501
417-932-1223
Yes
Harvest holler llc
6546 Wayne route M
Marquand , MO 63655
573-701-4469
No
James River Outfitters
jamesriveroutfitters.com
110 Y Bridge Blvd
Galena, MO 65656
417-357-6443
Yes
Maggard's Canoe & Corkery Campground
nianguariver.com
15750 Highway 64
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-7616
Yes
Meramec State Park Concessions, Inc.
meramecpark.com
670 Fisher Cave Drive
Sullivan, MO 63080
573-468-6519
No
Missouri Park Adventures
missouriparkadventures.com
13041 State Highway 104
DeSoto, MO 63020
636-586-2995
Yes
Mountain Creek Family Resort
mountaincreekcanoes.com
11564 Kinfolk Road
Eldridge, MO 65463
417-426-5641
Yes
Niangua River Oasis, Inc.
nrocanoe.com
171 NRO Road
Lebanon, MO 65536
417-532-6333
Yes
Old Cove Canoe & Kayak, LLC
oldcovecanoe.com
1316 Old Cove Road
Saint Clair, MO 63077
636-629-2220
Yes

Events

Find events near you.
Registration period: April 7 - June 5
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 10:00 am - Wednesday, June 7, 2023 12:00 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake
During this kayaking program you will learn about paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. All equipment will be provided. Please meet near the Taco Bell Pavilion located at Creve Coeur park. Participants must be 13 and able to swim to participate in this event. Closed toe shoes are required and be prepared to get wet. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration period: May 1 - June 7
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 10:00 am - Wednesday, June 7, 2023 2:00 pm
Location: Hazel Creek Lake

Join us for beginner paddling and a relaxing time on the water. Life vests will be available for use. Sign up your whole family if you would like, children should be 9 years of age or older and accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please bring water to drink and shoes that you can get wet.

Age Policy:

All registrants for this event must be a minimum age of 9 years old by 6/7/2023.

Registration period: April 7 - June 5
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 1:00 pm - Wednesday, June 7, 2023 3:00 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake
During this kayaking program you will learn about paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. All equipment will be provided. Please meet near the Taco Bell Pavilion located at Creve Coeur park. Participants must be 13 and able to swim to participate in this event. Closed toe shoes are required and be prepared to get wet. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration period: May 1 - June 17
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023 8:30 am - Saturday, June 17, 2023 4:00 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center

Important Note: Registration for this event is required, but not available online. You must call Runge at (573) 526-5544 to register either your team (four people) or as an individual. All participants must be age 18 or older. If you are registering a team, you need to provide the names of all four team members at the time of registration. If you are registering as an individual, we will place you on a team. Physical requirements for the event include walking on hilly terrain and six miles of kayaking.

Attention outdoor enthusiasts! Join our multi-skill, semi-competitive, team adventure race and put your outdoor skills to the test! Learn and practice archery, orienteering, fishing, and paddling at Runge Nature Center on June 16 (attendance is mandatory in order to take part the next day). Let the competition begin on June 17 at Painted Rock Conservation Area (Osage County)! Reach the finish line before the other teams to win the grand prize and the title of Adventure Champion! All equipment and transportation to Painted Rock will be provided. Registration is limited to 24 total participants (six teams of four) so sign up today!
Registration period: May 1 - June 17
Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023 10:00 am - Saturday, June 17, 2023 1:30 pm
Location: Hazel Creek Lake

Join us for beginner paddling and a relaxing time on the water. Life vests will be available for use. Sign up your whole family if you would like, children should be 9 years of age or older and accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please bring water to drink and shoes that you can get wet.

All registrants for this event must be a minimum age of 9 years old by 6/217/2023.
Registration period: June 1 - June 24
Date: Saturday, June 24, 2023 8:00 am - Saturday, June 24, 2023 5:00 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center

Note: To participate in this program, you must commit to attending a learning session on Friday evening, June 23, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the MDC headquarters pond in Jefferson City. We will discuss equipment and practice paddling techniques.

Curious about dipping your toe in the water of paddle sports but not sure where to begin? Join MDC staff for this two-part program that will provide you with the information and confidence needed to experience the excitement of floating on the water! After our learning session on Friday evening, we'll spend Saturday paddling on the Niangua River. Runge will provide all equipment and round-trip transportation from the nature center. Pack a water bottle, lunch, and sunscreen; wear closed-toe shoes. Registration for this program indicates your commitment to attendance on both Friday and Saturday. Registration required. Ages 18+
Registration period: March 20 - July 7
Date: Monday, July 10, 2023 3:30 pm - Monday, July 10, 2023 6:00 pm
Location: Little Prairie CA

Flatwater Kayaking: July 10th at the Towell Lake Boat Ramp located within Little Prairie CA near Rolla.

Join us for an evening on the water for a basic flatwater kayaking program. Participants will learn information and safety about kayaking during a ground school portion of the class, then take to the water for paddling instruction and practice. Participants aged 13 and older are welcome to register; those aged younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles will be provided if you wish to experience fishing from a kayak the later portion of the program; participants 16 and older must possess a valid fishing permit if you choose to fish.

Kayaks, paddles, and life-jackets will be provided. Close-toed shoes are required.

For questions please contact Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov
Registration period: March 20 - July 12
Date: Thursday, July 13, 2023 3:30 pm - Thursday, July 13, 2023 6:00 pm
Location: Rinquelin Trail Lake CA

Flatwater Kayaking: July 13th at the boat ramp located within Rinquelin Trail Lake Conservation Area

Join us for an evening on the water for a basic flatwater kayaking program. Participants will learn information and safety about kayaking during a ground school portion of the class, then take to the water for paddling instruction and practice. Participants aged 13 and older are welcome to register; those aged younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles will be provided if you wish to experience fishing from a kayak the later portion of the program; participants 16 and older must possess a valid fishing permit if you choose to fish.

Kayaks, paddles, and life-jackets will be provided. Close-toed shoes are required.

For questions please contact Dwight Warnke at Dwight.Warnke@mdc.mo.gov
Registration period: May 20 - July 17
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023 10:00 am - Thursday, July 20, 2023 12:00 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake
During this kayaking program you will learn about paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. All equipment will be provided. Please meet near the Taco Bell Pavilion located at Creve Coeur park. Participants must be 13 and able to swim to participate in this event. Closed toe shoes are required and be prepared to get wet. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration period: May 20 - July 17
Date: Thursday, July 20, 2023 1:00 pm - Thursday, July 20, 2023 3:00 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake
During this kayaking program you will learn about paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. All equipment will be provided. Please meet near the Taco Bell Pavilion located at Creve Coeur park. Participants must be 13 and able to swim to participate in this event. Closed toe shoes are required and be prepared to get wet. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration period: June 2 - July 27
Date: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 10:00 am - Wednesday, August 2, 2023 12:00 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake
During this kayaking program you will learn about paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. All equipment will be provided. Please meet near the Taco Bell Pavilion located at Creve Coeur park. Participants must be 13 and able to swim to participate in this event. Closed toe shoes are required and be prepared to get wet. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration period: June 2 - July 27
Date: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 1:00 pm - Wednesday, August 2, 2023 3:00 pm
Location: Creve Coeur Park-Lake
During this kayaking program you will learn about paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. All equipment will be provided. Please meet near the Taco Bell Pavilion located at Creve Coeur park. Participants must be 13 and able to swim to participate in this event. Closed toe shoes are required and be prepared to get wet. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: Thursday, August 3, 2023 6:00 pm - Thursday, August 3, 2023 7:00 pm
Location: Runge Conservation Nature Center

Missouri artist, Steve Snell, will present about his recent painting adventure down the entire Missouri River and his river-based art practice. He will also premier an episode of Adventure Art on the Mighty Mo', his video series about art and life along the Missouri River told through the act of painting, storytelling, and paddling all 2,341 miles. No registration required. All ages.

This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. It is also supported in part by the Kansas City Art Institute.