Top 11 Float Trips in Missouri: Fun & Relaxing Rides
Missouri is home to several of the best rivers to float, kayak, and canoe on in the United States. Missouri float trips are popular due to the abundance of beautiful rivers that run through the state.
One of the main reasons why Missouri float trips are so outstanding is because you can spend a weekend reconnecting with nature, friends, and family all while not being too far from home.
Whether you are into camping trips or looking for Missouri float trips with cabins, this article details all the best places to camp, stay, and rent float trip gear from.
So if you’re peeking for float trips near St. Louis, float trips near Kansas City, or just popular MO float trips, keep on reading for all the best float trips in Missouri!
Best Float Trips in Missouri
Big River
Big River is The Best Float Trip In Missouri Near St. Louis.
The Big River is one of the best rivers for a float trip in Missouri if you are looking to do some hiking or exploring during your trip. The mighty Big River flows smoothly across the banks of Twin River Park, Washington State Park, Cedar Hill Park, and St. Francois State Park.
The Big River is the best float trip near St. Louis and is perfect for a one-day float trip. The slow-moving springs also make it a perfect family float trip.
There are only two outfitters that rent out floating equipment: Washington State Park and Cherokee Landing. This river is better on the quiet side, which makes a Big River float trip more nice and makes it a nature-filled trip rather than a party river.
Distance from St. Louis: 45 minutes
Distance from Kansas City: 4 hours
Distance from Springfield: 4 hours
Black River
For clear water, the Black River is the best Missouri float trip.
The Black River is one of the great rivers for a float trip in Missouri. The Black River is known for its wonderful Ozark scenery as well as being one of the best clear-water float trips Missouri has to offer. While relishing your float trip, you will pass through sandstone bluffs, and you may even have the possibility to spot some wildlife on the banks of the river.
If you like fishing, the upper parts of the Black River are known for some great bass fishing. The eastern part of Black River also runs through Johnson Shut-Ins State Park. You cannot reach Johnson Shut-Ins by boat or by floating there, but it is a great place to go swimming and can be a great way to add another adventure to your float trip weekend.
Of all the Missouri float trips, the Black River is definitely one of your favorites.
Distance from St. Louis: 2 hours
Distance from Kansas City: 5 hours
Distance from Springfield: 3 hours
Niangua River
The Niangua River is the best river for canoeing in Missouri.
This beautiful river is an outstanding float trip destination for its views and ample opportunity to go fishing. Nearby canoe and float rental companies give trips of varying lengths along the Niangua. Riverfront Campground and Canoe is placed on the river’s banks, and it delivers cabins, camping, and float trips. If you’re looking for a fantastic Missouri River float, the Niangua River is an excellent choice.
Flowing exactly south of the Lake of the Ozarks and passing through Bennett Springs State Park, this river has a lot to offer when looking for Missouri rivers to float. The Niangua River, just like the North Fork River, is known for the best fishing in the state.
If fishing is not really your thing, don’t bother, as the Niangua River has a plethora of floating outfitters to choose from. Be aware that this river, along with the Meramec and Huzzah, can attract large crowds during the hot summer months. If you are looking for a relaxing float trip or kid-friendly float trips in Missouri, either look out for a different river or visit on a weekday.
The Niangua River is only a 3-hour drive from St. Louis or Springfield, making it one of the better centrally located floating rivers in Missouri.
Distance from St. Louis: 3 hours
Distance from Kansas City: 3 hours
Distance from Springfield: 1.5 hours
Current River
Current River is The Best Float Trip In Missouri For Scenery.
The Current River flows across the south-eastern portion of Missouri’s Ozarks, providing floaters a scenic journey downstream. The Landing is located in Van Buren on the banks of this river, and it offers an array of kayaks, canoes, rafts, and tubes for rent.
The Current River, in our opinion, is one of the best rivers in Missouri for float trips. The Current River is one of the spring-fed rivers in Missouri, which makes it a bit colder than other rivers, but incredible on a hot summer day!
The Current River and Jacks Fork River are facets of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and were the first rivers to be preserved by the National Parks system. Of all the good places to float in Missouri, we exactly suggest checking out the Current River and the surrounding area for some gorgeous Ozark scenery.
The Current River runs through Montauk and Current River State Park, which both suggest some incredible scenery as you pass by on your float trip. People looking to do overnight Missouri River float trips frequent the Current River. There are numerous NPS-managed simple campgrounds along the Current River’s banks.
Because of all the amazing aspects to see and do, it cannot get any better than the Current River for the best float trip in Missouri!
Distance from St. Louis: 2 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Kansas City: 4 hours and 35 minutes
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours and 25 minutes
Jacks Fork River
The best float trip in Missouri is on the Jacks Fork River.
This Missouri river is an aspect of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways system, so it is a great choice for those looking for an attractive float trip. Its clear waters are enclosed by cliffs, making for a picturesque trip, but water levels vary depending on the time of year. Two Rivers Canoe Rental has different canoe trip choices for different distances on the river.
The Jacks Fork River is a tributary of the Current River and is the second river passed by the National Parks system in Missouri. Due to its scarcity of access, it is described as one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in Missouri.
This region of Missouri is also home to two herds of wild horses. You can see them on the slopes of the river during your float trip. The first 25 floatable miles of the Jacks Fork River are almost a deep valley, with jagged, surprising cliffs rising along both sides of the river. This part of the river is for the more courageous and competent floaters, as the waters are classified as Class II. The rest of the river is considered a more relaxing float trip and is acceptable for all levels.
The Jacks Fork River is the next great place for camping and floating in Missouri, as there are three backcountry campsites ahead of the river and four primitive sites, all organised by the National Park Service. If you are wanting to do an overnight float and camping trip, the Jacks Fork would be an enormous river to check out!
Distance from St. Louis: 3 hours
Distance from Kansas City: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Meramec River
The Meramec River is Missouri’s best party float trip.
There are a number of outfitters offering float trips on the scenic Meramec River, and some are just an hour from St. Louis, making this an ideal weekend day trip from the city. Known for its “river resorts,” it is also perfect for groups that want an extensive, weekend-long float party. Camp out in Meramec State Park or consider a cosy cabin rental.
The Meramec River is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in Missouri, and several other popular rivers can be reached via float trips from this river. Previously, the Meramec River was considered one of the dirtiest rivers in Missouri, but that’s totally a thing of the past. Local and state governments have taken tremendous steps in cleaning up the river, and now it is one of the most ecologically diverse rivers in Missouri!
Looking for the best tubing in Missouri? The Meramec River is enormous between Maramec Springs Park and Meramec State Park.
This is where you will discover all of the ‘river resorts’ in Missouri where people take off for a party weekend or a fun-filled family rafting trip in Missouri. You can proceed with the float past Meramec State Park, but many people don’t enjoy it as much as the closer you get to St. Louis, the more houses and buildings there are along the river banks.
Distance from St. Louis: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Distance from Kansas City: 3 hours and 40 minutes
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Elk River
Elk River is The Best Float Trip In Missouri Near Kansas City.
Located in the southwest corner of Missouri, the Elk River is a favourite float trip destination for visitors who live in the western part of the state. This river has so much to offer in terms of the many different rental companies, resorts, and campgrounds ahead of it. The river also has a large bass community for those who wish to fish.
The beginning of the float trip on the Elk River is in the quaint town of Noel, Missouri. Floaters will like visiting this town as it is all about the river. The Elk River has some of the best river rafting in Missouri as well as being a wonderful destination for Airbnbs and campgrounds put right on the river. So if you are looking for float trips in Missouri with cabins, the Elk River is outstanding!
Distance from St. Louis: 5 hours
Distance from Kansas City: 3 hours
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours
North Fork River
The North Fork River is the Best Float Trip In Missouri For Fishing.
The North Fork River is a tributary of the White River and runs across the upper part of Mark Twain National Forest, all the way below Arkansas. The river is approximately a 3-hour drive from St. Louis and is a great option for people looking to spend a day or weekend drifting on one of the best rivers in Missouri.
The North Fork River is also picked as one of the top 100 rivers for trout fishing in the US. Don’t forget to check out Blue Spring while floating down this river. The water bubbles from the ground, producing a gorgeous turquoise colour that looks straight out of a tropical destination.
Distance from St. Louis: 3 hours
Distance from Kansas City: 4 hours
Distance from Springfield: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Big Piney River
The Big Piney River is The Best Float Trip In Missouri For Families.
The Big Piney River, situated in the middle of the state, is another enormous option for families. Part of the river is located in the Mark Twain National Forest, which offers river entry points and beautiful scenery. Note that outfitters are not authorised to operate here, so you will have to mark your own accommodations.
If you want to go on a float trip with the hopes of not discerning another soul, check out the Big Piney River. A tributary of the Gasconade River, the Big Piney is a huge family float trip river in
Missouri and is easy to float year-round because of the increased water levels. This also samples one of the best places to kayak in Missouri!
The view of the Big Piney would definitely not disappoint either; tall, jagged cliffs overlook the river, and there are plenty of secret swimming spots to discover along the way, making this river one of the best for float trips in Missouri. Make sure to spend a little time tasting beers at the Piney River Brewing Co. and get a Float Trip beer while you are at it!
Distance from St. Louis: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Distance from Kansas City: 4 hours
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours
Eleven Point River
Eleven Point River is The Best Float Trip In Missouri For Solitude.
The Eleven Point River is one of the best floats in Missouri for people wanting solitude and some time unplugged. Perhaps one of the most remote rivers in Missouri, the Eleven Point is a tremendous river to float if you are looking for a great adventure. The Eleven Point is provided by the enormous Greer Spring, which is the 10th biggest freshwater spring in the world!
There are fundamental campgrounds located along the banks of the river, which can be wonderful for people looking to do a multiple-day float. Check out the USDA’s website for some additional information.
Distance from St. Louis: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Kansas City: 5 hours and 20 minutes
Distance from Springfield: 3 hours
Huzzah and Courtois Creeks
The best float trip in Missouri is on Huzzah and Courtois Creeks.
These two rivers flow nearly side-by-side in the same region before entering the larger Meramec River. Both creeks are wonderful and outstanding among local floaters, but their depths can change depending on the season, so be sure to check the situation with a local outfitter before you go.
Distance from St. Louis: 1 hour and 27 minutes
Distance from Kansas City: 4 hours
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours and 27 minutes
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing an outdoor adventure in their home state, Missourians are the lucky ones. The show-me state has tunnels, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls So nature lovers always have something to do. If you are looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the state’s natural beauty while exploring one of the many rivers, opt for a float trip.
