Areas Outside Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways

[Mark]

OK we are talking about a summer float this year covering the entire length of the Eleven Point River in Missouri. The only sections I have not floated are the Cane Bluff to Greer section and the Riverton to Hwy 142 section, both which I believe are not in the Scenic Riverways designated areas. I am wondering if we will be OK camping on a gravel bar in these areas. I am thinking the trip would go something like this;

Day 1 - Thomasville to Cane Bluff (water levels permitting)

Day 2 - Cane Bluff to near Greer Springs

Day 3 - Greer to near Turner Mill

Day 4 - Turner Mill to near Whitten

Day 5 - Whitten to Riverton

Day 6 - Riverton to Hwy 142 bridge

Day 7 - Hwy 142 to Arkansas line

Will camping be a problem in the upper and lower sections?

[Gavin]

I've never been above Cane Bluff...but there are some good spots to camp between Cane & Greer...Some nice gravel around Spring Creek, at Long Hollow, & the Boom Hole...possible drive ins at Long Hollow.

[Stoneroller]

here's the issue you'll have. you are legal to camp up to the high water mark anywhere. but that means you have to camp in the flood zone. so keep a very, very close eye on weather, and take a weather radio! if you have a cell phone app for weather, that might help, but don't count on getting a signal. a wind up emergency radio is what we usually take, no worries about dead batteries then. you'll have to pick a good time to float the upper part. if the water is too high you won't have any places to camp. if it's too low you'll be doing a lot of walking/dragging, but thats usually not till june or so from what i've seen. have fun, take pictures and make sure you give some responsible people your travel plans and check in at certain times. also be careful of the occasional bear, dont leave food lying around or right next to your tent. unlikely you'll see one or even have an issue if you do, but better safe than sorry.

[Brian Sloss]

Thomasville to 142 is entirely inside the national wild and scenic riverway easements, though almost all of the land from Thomasville to Cane Bluff is private. You can camp on gravel bars and the land at Denny Hollow is public. Cane Bluff to Riverton is almost all public. Riverton to 142 has lots of private land, but there is a float camp at Morgan spring just up from 142. Great place to camp there.

[timinmo]

Obviously Brian knows what he is talking about. I would like to echo his recommendation for Morgan Spring, neat place. My only real input is that Thomasville to Cane Bluff in a day can be pretty ambitious if the water isn't fairly high and you aren't willing to limit the amount you fish. Everyone goes at a different pace but I have a tough time rushing past good looking water.

In any case if you are able to go I am sure you will enjoy it and be the envy of all. I have done almost all of that stretch but not at one time. There are more gravel bars on the upper end than the middle section of the river and we have always found camping between Thomasville and Cane Bluff easy.

[gotmuddy]

the wife and I floated from riverton to myrtle last august in the riverboat. We camped at the end of a long pool on the gravel bar, it was very nice.

[Mark]

My biggest concern was finding a place to camp between Riverton and HWY 142. We would surley spend the night somewhere about halfway and then another night at the Narrows.

[gotmuddy]

My biggest concern was finding a place to camp between Riverton and HWY 142. We would surley spend the night somewhere about halfway and then another night at the Narrows.

camp where the wife and I camped. It was nice.

[2sheds]

As mentioned above, you are legal to camp below the high-water mark. But please be carefull and plan an egress if rainfall upstream or rising water level.

That being said, there are a few very nice gravel bar campsites - but not nearly as many as you would find on the Current. As a backup, you should plan for the US Forest Service Float Camp sites. Google for one of the 11 Point River Guides so you will know exactly where to look for these. Most are located within 1/4 mile upstream along a creek feeding the river. They are not always obvious unless you are paying attention (lesson learned from unplanned upstream paddling experience).

Day 1 - Thomasville to Cane Bluff (water levels permitting)

Day 2 - Cane Bluff to near Greer Springs (Forest Service Campground at SH 19 Greer Crossing - potable water and latrines)

Day 3 - Greer to near Turner Mill (Horseshoe Bend float camp)

Day 4 - Turner Mill to near Whitten (Whitten Campground, Greenbrian Float Camp)

Day 5 - Whitten to Riverton (Boze Mill Float Camp)

Day 6 - Riverton to Hwy 142 bridge (Morgan Spring Float Camp)

Day 7 - Hwy 142 to Arkansas line (mostly private shorelines down to Myrtle Access)

[Mark]

Thanks for input but we don't care for the Forest Service campgrounds. We much prefer a gravel bar on the shoreline where we can get out of our lawnchair and get a line wet. We are familiar with the river except the lower part below Riverton. We are wanting to check that area out. I just want to make sure we are OK camping on gravel bars down there like we are in the trout areas.

Is the Morgan Float Camp the same as what's called the Narrows? Isn't there 5 different springs right there together? I hear it is a beautiful area and neat place to camp.