Mark

Guess I am not following. Why would State Park System be responsible for staffing and running a USFS campground? Agree -Whitten and Turner South could use a few more campsites instead on new development. And what is wrong with campsites at Riverton access? I realize many boats/canoes put in and take out there, but it never seems as crowded as Whitten. Never have understood why no camping allowed at Riverton.

Thanks Brian, good to know. I am not retiring until may 2018 though. And still shopping for my travel trailer. Agree that it would be ideal camp host job. But I will definitely keep it in mind for retirement. Guess I never thought it thru about the Forest Service owning Greer CG. Sure wish it was a little more developed with electric/water/shower. I know someone (probably Brian) told me on here once before about the copper being stolen from electric boxes at Greer. What a shame.

Maybe I am just being selfish, but I plan to retire in a couple years and have a small travel trailer. My days of tent camping are about over, and I would like somewhere on the Eleven Point to park the trailer occasionally, and have electricity/water/shower/restroom facility. Instead of new development, how about a renovation at Greer CG. Or Turner Mill North - which is virtually always vacant. I understand that there use to be electric at Greer CG and vandals destroyed the boxes. But wouldn't trying it again at a developed place be cheaper than trying someplace new, and make more sense. Maybe hire a CG host to keep an eye on things. I would do a month or so tour after I retire for free electric/water/camp spot. I imagine other retirees would do the same. And wouldn't most of you rather have people using the restroom at the campground restroom or in their RV than on the gravel bars? I do think it is a shame that there is no where for elderly people with RVs to enjoy the river. Those are the types of people that won't hurt a dang bit of everyone's concern over primitive and isolated remoteness. And they own it as much as the rest of us.

Am I intrepreting the Post Dispatch article correclty? Would the Frederick Creek Ranch and the Building for Babies land combined be in the 5000 acres neighborhood? Somebody in one of the controlling agencies is pushing this hard.

Thanks for the advice, gang. I had my buddy read this thread, and it went a long way to ease his fears. He wants to give it a try. Looking forward to seeing some new waters.

Thanks I'll pass along.

LittleRed - maybe you can help me with a problem? My buddy has a nice jet prop that he uses exclusively on the Eleven Point. He has only had the boat for two years, and stays on the Eleven Point mainly because he knows the river well enough to avoid mishaps. He is apprehensive about the Current River because he doesn't know the river> I totally understand not wanting to hit a rock and punch a hole in his new boat, or suck up gravel in shallow water. What section of the river would be good fishing and have deep enough water that bottoming out won't happen - I realize you can hit a submerged rock anytime. Any sections of the river safer than others. I have only been on the Current 3-4 times myself. Last time was section right above Eminence. May try to get him on the Current in a couple weeks. I am thinking below Eminence after Jacks Fork enters. Shouldn't that section hold lots of water. Thanks in advance.

Sorry Gavin, not into "Six Flags of Trout Fishing" experience. Don't get the excitement of trout parks where they dump fish in daily by the barrels and then people stand shoulder to shoulder trying to get pellet fed fish to bite at anything that looks edible. Went one time, that was enough when someone cast right over my line like I wasn't even there. No thanks. Sorry for the rant, Gavin. Leave the trout parks to the city slickers!!!

I also wondered what was the difference between the two. I guess the whole issue could be resolved for me if electric could be restored at Greer CG, but thieves and vandals put an end to that. What a shame! My interest all along has been someplace for RV hookups. I have older retired siblings with RVs who like places like Greer CG, but electric is a must. They are not into roughing it and want to be right on the water to get their feet wet during the day. Plus I am in the market for a small travel trailer and would love to park it on the Eleven Point for a few days. Dang hoodlums always have to ruin things!!

OK thanks, I assumed it would have to be by Arkansas line to be on water's edge but wasn't sure,

Brian, just curious, but mentioned that a 200-300 acre resort/RV park/developed campground would be ideal. I agree. But how would a person do so with the easement issue? I know that the private ground starts near Riverton, and seems to be a checkerboard of what is private and public from there on down river. I am assuming the easement restrictions apply to private as well as public. You mentioned that the Wild and Scenic Riverways includes the Frederick Creek area. Does it end soon thereafter? Do the easement restrictions end near the Narrows? Would that be the only option for such a place? I am surprised that no one has undertaken such a project.

I've been going to the EP for past 16 years. Summer holidays and maybe 6-8 weekends in the summer could be called crowded. Summer weekdays are rarely what could be called moderately crowded. We learned to go during the week in the summer, and most trips I would describe as light traffic. Many days when you might see 20-30 other people all day long. Vast majority are not fishing. Mostly families, and very rarely the party floatillas. Locals get out in the evenings after work in the jetboats. Trips in the spring and fall when school is in session, and you practically have the river to yourself. The river is for everyone to enjoy. It don't bother me one bit when on most trips I see maybe 2-3 canoes go by every half hour or so, and almost always they are a family with kids, 4 buddies, or young couples. Outside of a 100 mile radius, very few people have heard of the Eleven Point. I live an hour south of St. Louis, and when I tell someone I am going floating on the Eleven Point River, the reply is always "Where's that?" Yes, I enjoy the solitude as much as the next guy, but have maybe only had 3-4 trips in 16 years that the river was crowded, and those were holidays and summer weekends. And I have learned to even enjoy those trips - meeting interesting people and admiring the bikinis!! The Eleven Point River is far from being a crowded river.

SSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Although gigging season has the fish spooked right now.

Very good point, SpoonDog.

Thanks for the correction Brian. If no development is planned, the only ones to benefit will be hunters. Will the state try to override the easement issue and develop? If not, I am starting to side with the opposition. What good is the purchase doing the majority of Missourians? Brian, I like your idea of a private 200-300 acre resort/RV/cabins/campground type park located somewhere along the EP. My friends and I have often discussed the same thing. But how would someone get around the easement issue for such a project? The Greer Springs Campground is the only place I know of on the EP with a nice developed campground, and RV camping is limited because of the lack of electric (which it once had but thieves and vandals ruined that). And there are no cabins at Greer. It baffles me that there is no such place on the EP. I would think it would be a gold mine after the substantial initial investment of building such a place. Considering the low income of Oregon County, why would the locals be so opposed to some kind of development? It would be so nice to walk outside a cabin and be on the river. The county is missing a golden opportunity to pump some much needed revenue into the local economy. The Jacks Fork near Eminence has private resorts. Are they outside of the easement area? I see such a develpment as a good thing and something people would use, including my group. Is it because local people just don't want crowds visiting the area, ruining the primitive nature of the area, I don't necessarily buy that argument as there is plenty of untouched riverway all along the EP. and there already are weekends in the summer where the river is somewhat crowded. It doesn't make sense to me that local people are so opposed to development that would benefit the entire area.

Too funny!! I'm guessing the statutory rape laws in some parts of the Ozarks are more of a suggestion.

I believe the part of the river being discussed for a state park is below the 44 mile designated Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The ONSR section runs from Thomasville to the Hwy 142 bridge. I am all for keeping that section of river just as it is, although I would like to see the Greer Campground have electric available for RVs. I have older friends who would love to visit the area but have RVs and electric is a must. I plan to retire in a couple years and have an RV as well. Some cabins would be a welcome addition as well. Not everyone enjoys tent camping. As for the section being debated, there are already houses, cabins, and private property below the Hwy 142 bridge. Are those people the only ones entitled to access along with a place to stay?

Gov. NIxon is talking heat. The land purchase is seen as secretive. Oregon County Commissioner is outspoken critic. Mineral area politicians are upset over money being spent in Oregon County that they feel should be spent in areas affected by the settlement. I understand that point. I don't understand Oregon County being so opposed. I for one would like to see the state park project at the Narrows move forward. A nice park on the lower Eleven Point would be well used and a boost to the local economy but needs to be done right - boat ramp, RV camping, nice restrooms/showers, plenty of riverfront access. Ten campsites in the middle of the woods would be a waste of money.

Yeah I don't understand why Oregon County residents are all upset. The Narrows is a beautiful area and so few have even heard of it. But with no boat ramps, tree cutting, or development, what good is it with only a few primitive campsites. And it is far enough downstream to not effect the National Scenic Riverways and their primitive beauty. I think a state park on the lower the Eleven Point would be a wonderful idea. Oregon County is so poor, and why would locals not be in favor of some development on their most precious resource if it would boost their economy, and allow more people to enjoy the river. I guess it all goes back to the thinking that they like things just the way they are, it's their river, and don't want to see change. I get that part of wanting to not turn into a touristy Van Buren type town, but the Oregon County ranks near the bottom in annual income each year. The added bonus of purchasing the land to keep mining interests out makes it all sound good to me. What am I missing that has everyone up in arms?

Thanks joeD. BTW -Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area is a beautiful place in Ste. Genevieve County overlooking the Mississippi River. But like idea - Magnolia Hollow String Band!! Wondering if enough water to rent a johnboat with my 2.5 HP motor? Or take my canoe? Would like to use the johnboat because just easier on a couple old guys getting in and out. Yeah, I read up on the bands coming to Wildwood Springs Lodge this fall. Blood, Sweat, and Tears doesn't have one original member, although Bo Bice is lead singer. Scratch that idea! Marshall Tucker - one original member. Poco (two originals) and Ozark Mountain Daredevils (three originals) should be best two shows. Pretty pricey shows (minimum $100) all around to see basically cover bands.

Bluffs, Garrison's, and Carptracker's place are not mentioned on the MDC mile by mile description I printed off, so I have no idea where they are located on river. I am assuming all trips mentioned would be one day trips. Also, I would most likely take my canoe with 2.5 motor just because I have it, but I did notice that Birds Nest Resort rents johnboats. Is there enough water for a johnboat? I think my partner would prefer a johnboat, just easier getting in and out of all day vs. a canoe. Have my doubts there is enough water for a johnboat this time of year but then again I have never been on the Meramac. BTW - what's with all the spelling variations - must be a local thang.

LOL come on, Joe. Intimate setting is cool. I saw Ozark Mountain Daredevils twice there and both good shows. Definitely old hippie crowd!! I hear Poco gives a good 3 hour show. Blood, Sweat, and Tears first time attending, bet they would be good but pricey at $134. Appreciating all fishing advice and cabin suggestions.

carp - a little confused w/ "check out our website" refers to what website?

A couple guys are looking at planning a weekend float near Steelville and catching one of the concerts at Wildwood Springs Lodge in the next month or so. Never been on any part of the river. I am interested in advice on best floating sections of 6-8 mile day floats, cabins nearby, and not far from Steelville so as to not have far to go after the concert. IF I am correct, the trout waters are from Maramec Spring branch at the 28.1 mile mark to about 8 miles downstream. Is that a good guess? It looks like the Hwy 19 bridge just outside of city limits of Steelville is 47.9 mile mark, so probably no trout that far downstream. We don't necessarily have to fish trout waters if the smallmouth fishing is good nearer Steelville. Or is it possible to wade fish in and/or near the park. Also, good scenery would be a major factor in deciding. I would say having a cabin not far from Steelville is more important, so we don't have to drive far after the show or maybe even rent a cab (WIldwood advertises one on their website for after shows). Open to suggestions on sections of river to float during day and cabins on the water and near town. Help us out Al if you happen to see this. Thinking Poco, or Blood, Sweat, and Tears, or Guess Who or Brewer and Shipley. I've seen the Ozark Mountain Daredevils twice (both great shows) and want to see someone else this time.

Consider the Eleven Point River for a trip off the beaten path. The Blue Ribbon area from Greer Springs to Turner Mill is a 5 mile float. The White Ribbon area begins at Turner Mill and continues downstream for 14 miles to Riverton, with a midway access at Whitten. Fantastic fishing especially this year. Equally fantastic scenery and not nearly as crowded as some of the more popular rivers. Traffic really slows down after schools start.