Blue Springs Ranch

[Mark]

I am looking into planning a family vacation for a VERY LARGE family- with brothers/sisters/nephews/nieces/great nephews/great nieces - all told we could have 50 plus people ranging from small children to seniors. Some will want comfort of nice housing, some of the younger crowd will camp, a couple will have RVs, so we will need the full gamut of lodging. Blue Springs Ranch looks good on their website, lots to do including floating, pool, zip lines, horseback riding, and lots of houses, cabins, RV sites, and campground with shower, but I did find several bad reviews online, ranging from springs coming out from mattresses to rude staff and overpriced. (I realize some people will have a bad experience sometime). No prices are given on website.

Just looking for some general honest opinions for a VERY large group - or any other suggestions and not married to the idea of the Meramec.

[mic]

I just RV camped there. Spaces are a little close together, but all in all, I liked the place to include the shower facilities.

[Al Agnew]

Sorry, Mark, I've never dealt with BSR...I can heartily recommend Ozark Outdoors at Onondaga, though.

[Gavin]

Stayed at the Rock Castle at BSR several years ago...no complaints. The stretch between Campbell Bridge and Blue Spring has some of the best scenery on the Meramec. Sunburst or River of Life on the NFoW would be good options too.

[Brian Jones]

Not trying to take business away from anyone but I think Huzzah Valley could probably accommodate your family as well.

[405z06]

Sorry, Mark, I've never dealt with BSR...I can heartily recommend Ozark Outdoors at Onondaga, though.

Ditto that on Ozark Outdoors. Their facilities are top-notch, they have a nice store full of stuff you might want or need. And they are super-accomodating if you have some fisherman in your group. And it seems that many of the campsites at BSR are kinda faw away from the river, whereas almost everything at Ozark Outdoors is close to the river.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, Huzzah Valley would be a very good choice, too. Of all the places on the Meramec/Huzzah/Courtois, I'd rate Huzzah Valley and Ozark Outdoors the best. I haven't dealt with every resort on these rivers, but I've definitely dealt with a bad one or two and several mediocre ones. Huzzah Valley and Ozark Outdoors are both first rate.

[joeD]

Or, go to Vegas. Go to to NewYork City. Go to London. Go to Branson. Tahiti. Go someplace else where large amounts of "family: are gathering.

Ha ha ha, Just kidding.

Just like you're kidding about getting 50 plus people getting together at the same time.

[Haris122]

Do you guys know what the usual fee is for these outfitters to take your kayak to an access and pick you up.Shuttling or whatever it's called?

[Al Agnew]

Generally anywhere from $20-40 most places, with a few places more expensive than that. A lot of the places charge about as much for a shuttle as they do for a canoe rental.