Four-Season Floating

For many, floating is a seasonal pastime, and that’s a downright shame.

With the right gear and planning, there’s nothing stopping you from paddling your way through all four seasons, right here in Missouri.

To give you a little nudge off the gravel bar and into the current, we’ve selected four perfect rivers, each with their own seasonal charm, to get you out there on the water, regardless of the time of year. Keep reading to learn about special gear considerations and wildlife encounters for each destination.

Summer Splashing Down the Meramec River

If ever there was a tale of two rivers, it would be the Meramec River. Located along the eastern side of Missouri, this stream generally follows the trajectory of Interstate 44. For those who only know the lower section, you may be surprised to learn that this turbid, slow-moving metropolitan river is a clear-blue meandering gem in its rural upper stretches. You’ll see this duality in full display if you plan a summer float on this stream.

Depending on water, the floatable section of the river is generally considered to start around the Highway 8 bridge, just upstream from Meramec Spring Park. It’s a simple, gravel access point and chances are good during our hot Missouri summers, the water may be too skinny here to float.

Instead, keep the AC cranked and roll on down to the quaint Ozark town of Steelville. This river community springs to life in the summer and is a great place to soak in the local scene, pick up some souvenirs, grab a bite, even stock up on last-minute supplies for your floating adventure. Any portion of the roughly 60 river miles between here and St. Clair will provide no shortage of breathtaking views and points of interest to punctuate the trip. Wildlife abounds here, too, with chances of spotting prehistoric gar breaking the river’s surface to grab a gulp of air.

With the high number of outfitters in the area, it won’t be hard to coordinate a shuttle or even rent boats. Just be sure to coordinate well in advance. Summer is by far the busy season for livery services. Concerned about crowds? Timing your trip midweek can help you avoid some of the party barge traffic and give you more options with the many outfitters in the area.

If you’re fascinated by caves, be sure to look at the section that includes Meramec State Park around river mile 85. You’ll be treated to destination caves like Green, Panther, and Fisher. In fact, Meramec State Park can serve as a great start or finish point for your summertime Meramec float.

The summer sun can be brutal. Be sure to pack sunscreen, brimmed hats, and a dry bag with lightweight, long-sleeve shirts and pants. Be proactive about hydration and bring plenty of drinking water. Bug spray can keep biting and stinging insects at bay, allowing you to enjoy your float. Summer storms brew quickly, so check the forecast before you go and keep an eye on the skies.

Fall Floating Down the Current River

The Show-Me State nickname is never truer than during the grandeur of a Missouri autumn. Crisp yellows, burnt golds, and fiery oranges dapple the Current River valley making this stream in the southern portion of the state a top-tier fall floating destination. As one of the two rivers making up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (the other being the Jacks Fork), this famous stream stays charged year-round from numerous springs, each contributing thousands of gallons of deep-blue, mineral-rich waters. Trout anglers are familiar with the headwaters at the confluence of Pigeon Creek and Montauk Spring at Montauk State Park, a mecca for anglers in search of rainbows and browns.

While the upper section of the Current River attracts angling attention, the 70-mile middle section, from Akers Ferry through Van Buren, should be on your fall float list. This segment of stream offers numerous access points, allowing you to dial in just the right distance and duration for your trip. The biggest of the four rivers in this article, chances are best on this stream for encountering motorized boats.

A few classic, day-trip options are the sections between Akers Ferry and Pulltite or farther down, from Waymeyer to Van Buren. If you choose the former, make plans to peek into Rock House Cave around river mile 24.2.

Autumn on the Current River provides a front-row seat for chances to see rutting whitetails and other wildlife wonders, like northern map and softshell turtles basking one last time before retiring into the river bottom mud for winter. Anglers should key in on root wads and boulders in deep sections for big smallmouth bass. Casting minnow imitations near weedlines is a great way to hook up with the elusive chain pickerel.

Like a spring float, autumn days in Missouri on the Current River can present a wide array of weather, so be sure your dry bag is packed accordingly. A windproof outer shell, stocking cap, and gloves go a long way to cut the chill and can be shed easily as the day warms up.

Winter on the Eleven Point River

If solitude, serenity, and stark beauty are what you’re seeking, the Eleven Point River in winter is hard to beat. Blessed by multiple springs, broken down old millworks, and relict structures from early settlers, the Eleven Point River east of West Plains is a float through history as much as it is an adventure through gorgeous Ozark bluffs and forest.

Designated a national wild and scenic river in 1968, the Eleven Point River corridor touches the Mark Twain National Forest and the Irish Wilderness, providing an infinite number of possibilities for off-river side quests. Much of it also winds its way through private lands, so consult a good mapping app with parcel data before venturing too far away from the banks to explore.

The remote nature of this stream makes it one of the least visited in this list. That trend only intensifies during the winter, when only the most adventuresome are willing to layer up and put in at any one of its accesses.

The Greer Spring access at river mile 16.6 is a solid choice for a winter put-in location. Even with low-water conditions, the river below this point is easily floatable thanks to the spring’s daily 210-million-gallon contribution to the stream. The section from here to Whitten Access is the perfect length for a day trip with plenty of points of interest, like Turner Spring and Turner Mill, about 5 miles downstream.

Anglers should pack a fly rod for good-sized rainbows, which can be found amid the population of wild and stocked fish. This section of the Eleven Point River transitions from a Blue Ribbon to White Ribbon trout management area, so be sure to heed special angling regulations.

A winter float down the Eleven Point River below Greer Spring demands cold-weather gear, a fire-starting kit, and a dry bag with extra warm clothes in case someone takes an unplanned dip and needs to warm up. Because the water discharging from the spring is around 55 degrees, depending on the weather that day, the river temperature could be greater than the air temperature.

Springtime On the Jacks Fork

As the hills and hollers of southern Missouri green up and the blooming dogwoods add their splash of white, the intrepid paddler gains access to the springtime delights of floatable water on the Jacks Fork. Often too shallow to float at other times of the year, spring snow melts and rains make the alternating riffly gravel runs and brooding bouldery pools above Alley Spring an engaging and lively paddling experience.

Considered to be one of the best early starting points on the first 30 miles of this river, check out the Buck Hollow put-in at Highway 17, northeast of Mountain View. Be sure to make time for a stop at the enchanting Blue Spring a few miles downriver.

Just a few more miles downriver is the iconic Jam Up Cave, with its eponymous creek and tell-tale boulder field spilling into the Jacks Fork. This natural tunnel is worth the scramble up to get inside and is a must-see stop on your float.

The steep Jacks Fork valley, walled in by dolomite cliffs creates a unique ecosystem that’s home to multiple species endemic to the Ozarks, like the checkered madtom fish and the spothanded crayfish. While on your float, keep your eyes peeled for rare species of birds, too, like the northern parula and cerulean warbler. Anglers should pack a spinning rod and baits that imitate crawfish. The Jacks Fork is a sleeper for scrappy smallmouth bass and goggle-eye.

Given the wide daily temperature swings of our springtime Ozarks, and the likelihood for tipping on this tight stream, a dry bag with a range of clothing is necessary. A fire source is a good idea, too.

Finally, the Jacks Fork runs through the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and is managed by the National Park Service, so be aware of any special rules and regulations that may be in place.

With so many great destination streams in Missouri, you now officially have no excuse to put that paddling gear in storage. With the right preparation, floating can be a year-round activity, unlocking seasonal wonders often overlooked by others. So, break out the boats, maps, and dry bags and start planning your next adventure right now.