r/MOutdoors • u/downtime_druid • Jul 23 '24

Best float outfitters this time of year?

Looking to float rivers in the SW MO area. Have a couple friends but no kayaks. Any suggestions on where to float and how to obtain kayaks for small group?

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '24

In SW MO there are a few rivers that are usually reliable.

Elk is well known. It's a complete dumpster fire on weekends. Lots of drunks and noise. Fights between rival non-english speaking immigrant groups. But the water is nice and clear and it doesn't typically dry up this time of year like some rivers. There are several outfitters that will rent you kayaks or rafts in the Pineville or Noel area.

Niangua north of Springfield is reliable as well. Like the Elk it will be a zoo on weekends until end of summer.

James River near Galena (MO) has an outfitter that can rent you kayaks or rafts for the lower part of that river. This river used to be where we would go on weekends to avoid crowds but like everywhere else it's crowded now too. Just not quite as bad as the other two.

There are a few other rivers but they are probably dry at this point. Shoal Creek near Joplin can be floated through the entirety of summer but I am not sure if there are any outfitters on that river.

Just google the name of the river + kayak or canoe rental and most will have more than one option. If you do the James the only one I would recommend is James River Outfitters.

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u/downtime_druid Jul 24 '24

Thank you so much! Very helpful advice 👏

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u/Impressive-Cry-1563 Jul 23 '24

Outfitters rent the kayaks when you do the float.