NEW!! Mountain Creek now offers a half-day float! Spend as much or as little time as you want on the river!!

The clear, cool waters of the spring-fed Niangua River offer outdoor entertainment for floaters of all types. Pick one of the abundant swimming holes to splash in, enjoy a picnic on a beautiful gravel bar or spend your days fishing the waters that are stocked with trout and full of bass and other varieties. All of Mountain Creek’s float trips start downriver from Bennett Spring, so you never have to worry about the river running too low.

Your hosts at Mountain Creek work hard to make sure it remains a family campground, suitable not only for vacationers but also for church, Scout and other youth groups. We cannot, however, control the behavior of others on the river. Spring, fall and weekday float trips will offer more privacy.

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Float Trips and Rates:
(Fees below include boat rental, life jackets and paddles, boat hauling, bus ride to put-in location. We recommend 1 person per kayak or 2 people per canoe plus gear. Exceptions can be made for families with small children or groups with odd numbers. There will be an additional $10.00 fee for third riders. Children 7 years and under ride free! Please call 417-426-5641 to reserve your boats.)

Single Day Floats

Families and others can enjoy a single day of floating on the calm waters and camp with conveniences or rent cabins at our beautiful riverfront resort. Our experienced staff will make the trip carefree for everyone. Also, you don‘t have to worry about waiting for a bus at the end of the day. Both of our single-day floats end right at Mountain Creek, where you can get cleaned up, have a campfire dinner (or relish our catering) and enjoy an evening under the stars.

Bennett Springs to Mountain Creek

12 miles (5-7 hours average).
Busses leave at 8 & 10 am.

Canoes........$40 each
Kayaks........$25 each

Barclay Conservation Area to Mountain Creek

6 miles (3-5 hours average)
Busses leave at 10 am

Canoes........$42 each
Kayaks........$25 each

Multiple Day Floats

Experienced floaters and fisherman will especially enjoy our multiple day floats in which you can choose a campground or secluded gravel bar to spend the night at. Downriver from us, you can venture into a less populated stretch of the Niangua River where fish are plentiful and people are not.

Mountain Creek to Bird Island

18 miles (2 day float)

Canoes........$75 each

Longer floats (up to 4 days) are possible. Please call for prices and possibilities.

Reservation/Deposit Policy:

A deposit of $10.00 is required for each canoe reserved in advance. The deposit confirms your reservation, and will be refunded upon request only if we are notified of a cancellation TEN DAYS BEFORE your floating date.

Shuttle Fees:

We provide shuttle service for private canoes and kayaks or for vehicles to and from Bennett Springs and Bird Island. Shuttles are $25.00 per canoe or vehicle. Please make arrangements in advance.

Prices are subject to change.

NO glass is allowed on the river or at Mountain Creek!
Please do not litter!

The river is cleaned periodically by volunteers, but they cannot preserve the pristine beauty of it without your help. Trash bags are available, and we supply a place to deposit them at the end of your float trip.

The Missouri State Water Patrol patrols these waters, waiting to give tickets for anything illegal. Glass on the river is illegal. Most property along the river’s edge is privately owned and is often marked with purple paint meaning NO TRESPASSING!

Equipment Damage:

Please treat our canoes, kayaks and equipment with the same respect as if they were your own. Normal wear and tear is accepted on canoes and equipment. Accidental damage will be assessed at a reasonable cost. Intentional damage to or loss of canoes and equipment will be charged at the current value of the canoe and equipment prior to damage.

Under normal circumstances, any person should be able to complete the float in the expected time. If we have to pick up you or your boat, an additional $25.00 fee is required, plus $1.00 per road mile one way.

Rules of the River:

As a participant in any watersport, you have responsibilities. You should always show courtesy to your fellow floaters, so that everyone can enjoy their day with friends and family. Be aware, as with any sport, there is some inherent risk that personal awareness and commonsense can reduce. Although the Niangua River is relatively calm, these are pointers you should know when floating any river.

1. Stay with your overturned boat if possible. It has

floatation material in it and will help you stay afloat

until you reach shallow water.

2. Wear life preservers, especially in water where

capsizing is possible. Small children and non-

swimmers should always wear preservers.

3. Never stand up in the canoe unless absolutely

necessary.

4. Don’t grab or hold fixed objects (limbs, rocks, vines,

etc.) while moving in swift water. This is one of the

easiest ways to capsize.

5. If your canoe becomes lodged against an object in a

swift current, lean toward the object and with the flow

of the current. Try to work your canoe along and

around the object. Never push directly away from the

obstruction.

6. Swim with an undertow if overturned. It will bring you

back to the surface in a matter of seconds.

7. When you reach water you believe may be unsafe,

always beach your boat and look it over carefully. If

you decide to run it, plan your route.

8. Currents are always stronger than they look. Never

underestimate them.

9. Learn to heed natural danger signals. Learn to read

the water, its current, flow direction and other natural

hazards.

10. Always distribute weight and gear evenly for a safe

and comfortable trip.

11. When camping carry canoes to a high point or to the upperside of the campground.

We cannot assume responsibility for personal injury, medical payments or property loss or damage. You will be asked to acknowledge this by signing a liability waiver before the outing begins.

Laura and Chris Santora