Length Of The Current Float Trip Plans

[2sheds]

My son and I have made the float from Baptist Camp to Van Buren several times and I can highly recommend that stretch. Its easy to cover 25+ miles per day just paddling, but much more enjoyable to leisurely float, explore, and fish if you have the time. I recommend avoiding the weekends due to higher traffic level and the increasing percentage of those who don't respect this incredible resource.

You have identified the access points within OSNR that have ice and potable water (Akers, Pulltite, 1st Round Spring access, Two Rivers, Powdermill - water but no ice, and Van Buren). At each, the store is less than 1/4 mile from the river. You should check with the Ranger office in Van Buren for current info downstream - I think there are some private campgrounds that might have stores.

Between potable water sources, boil your cooking water and bring Polar Pure, pump & filter, or other treatment for your drinking water. I like to pack dry ice for my perishables, but that only gets you a few days down the river and its sort of redundant in the region from Two Rivers upstream which have a higher density of park stores with ice.

But there are plenty of food options you can pack that are compact and don't require ice. Talk to a Boy Scout. Call Philmont to purchase last year's overage of backpacking food packs.

I enjoy the upstream section (lot of springs, caves, trout, small motors) more than the section below Two Rivers (better smallmouth fishing), but its all great. Wish I had the time to enjoy the entire length.