Noel MO Float Trips: Elk River Ultimate Guide 2024

Looking for the best Noel Mo float trips? You’ve come to the right place!

The Elk River is one of our favorite places to go on a float trip in Missouri. We live in St. Louis, and one of our favorite things to do in the summer is to go on a float trip.

Floating on the Elk River is a great choice for a float trip. It’s an absolutely gorgeous river and there are a lot of options for places to stay, camp, and rent float trip equipment.

This article is going to tell you all about the best Elk River outfitters, the best cabins on the Elk River, awesome campgrounds, and more.

Where is the Elk River?

The Elk River Missouri is located in McDonald county which is the furthest most southwest county of Missouri.

The easiest way to reach the area is to take I-44 West from Springfield Missouri until you get to Joplin and then get on I-49 South for another 30 minutes or so. 

The most popular area for Elk River float trips is the section of the river between Pineville Mo and Noel Mo. This section of the river is all Class I or Class II which means that it’s Moderate to Easy. This makes floating the Elk River a great choice even for beginners.

Best Time of Year for Noel MO Float Trips

Technically you can float the Elk River all year, especially if you have your own equipment. But if you plan on getting in the water then we recommend going any time between late Spring and early Fall. 

The most popular months for floating the Elk River are June, July, and August. If you’re going to go on an Elk River float trip in the summer months, it’s best to avoid the weekend if possible. This is the most popular time for all Missouri float trips, and rivers can get VERY crowded especially around holidays like the 4th of July. 

You’ll also want to make sure you pack the right things for a float trip and the season you’re going in.

If you’re more interested in fishing then going early in the spring or later in the fall are good options because you won’t be getting in the water and there will be fewer tubes in the way of your fishing. 

Elk River Float Trip Outfitters

There are several outfitters that offer Elk River Floats. Picking the best one normally comes down to price and where exactly you’ll be staying. Here’s a short list of the outfitters that offer float trips on the Elk River.

Shady Beach Campground

➡️ Looking for the best campground & outfitter on the Elk River? ⬅️
Shady Beach Campground is by far our favorite campground and place to go on an Elk River float trip. Make reservations by calling 800.745.6481 or visiting the Shady Beach website for more info!

Shady Beach Offers:

• Tubes
• Canoes (plastic and aluminum)
• Kayaks (single and tandem)
• 4, 6, 8, or 12-Person Rafts

Shady Beach Campground & Outfitters is, in our opinion, the best place you can go on an Elk River float trip. One of our favorite parts about Shady Beach is that you can be shuttled upriver and float back to the campground, making it super easy when you’re tired at the end of a big float trip day. 

Another awesome thing about Shady Beach is that almost all the campsites are right next to the river, making it super easy to just hang out in the water for the day! They also offer 30&50amp RV sites as well as shaded tent sites. 

For those of you wanting to go on a float trip but aren’t so sure about camping, they also have a variety of cabins to choose from that range from camping-style cabins all the way to large vacation rental cabins that sleep up to 22 people. 

Shady Beach is a family-run business with exceptional hospitality; they will make sure you are happy and having a great time when you come to stay with them!

Two Sons Floating and Camping

• Tubes
• Canoes
• Kayaks
• 6 or 8 Person Raft

Two Sons is located between Noel Mo and Shady Beach campground making them a great option if you want to float the lower portion of the Elk River.

They have canoes, rafts, and tubes so no matter how you want to float the Elk River they have you covered. 

River Ranch Resort

• Night Floats
• Kayaks
• Canoes
• Tubes
• 4, 6 or 8-Person Rafts

River Ranch Resort is even further downriver past Two Sons just north of Noel Mo. Floating this section of the river can be really convenient since it’s pretty close to town.

In addition to all of the normal kayak, raft, tube, and canoe options, River Ranch Resort also offers a “Glow Float” which is a 1-mile float trip at night!

Elk River Floats

• Tubes
• Canoes
• Kayaks
• 4, 6, 8 or 10-Person Rafts

Elk River Floats is located on the other side of the river from River Ranch Resort which means they are also right in Noel Missouri. Elk River Floats offers all of the same rental equipment options that other outfitters do.

Elk River Floats is a good option if you want to do some overnight floating on the Elk River. They have a 12-mile float option where you can camp overnight halfway through your float. 

Big Elk Floats and Camping

• Largest Variety of Equipment
• Vehicle Shuttles
• Private Boat Shuttles
• Fishing Services 

Big Elk Floats offer probably the largest variety in terms of rentals. They of course have your typical canoes, kayaks, tubes, and rafts. But they also have some REALLY big rafts, tandem kayaks, paddle boards, and more.

They’re located further upriver in Pineville Missouri so if you’re looking for an option outside of Noel then Big Elk is a good choice. 

They also offer private shuttles for either you, your vehicle, or your boat if you have your own equipment and are just looking for a ride. We prefer to bring our own kayak as they are a lot more comfortable.

Kozy Kamp

• Private Shuttles
• Kayaks
• Canoes
• 4, 6, 8 or 10-Person Rafts

Kozy Kamp is located in Pineville Missouri so they’re another good option if you would like to float the upper portion of the Elk River Mo.

They also offer private shuttles so if you have your own equipment and you just need a ride they have you covered. This isn’t a service that all float trip outfitters offer so it’s good to know who’s willing to take you if you need a ride. 

How Much Does it Cost to Float the Elk River?

How much it’ll cost you for either a Noel float trip or a Pineville float trip on the Elk River will vary depending on a few things. Here’s a short list of the things that will affect how much river floating is going to end up costing you. 

Do you have your own equipment?

This is the biggest part of the expense. If you have your own equipment then all you’ll need to pay for is a shuttle ride. Not all outfitters offer this so check the list above to see who does. 

If you need to rent your equipment then it will include a ride both to the river and back when you’re done but it’s going to be a lot more expensive in general. 

If you plan to go on any other float trips in the area such as the Niangua River or the Current River, it’s probably a good idea to invest in your own equipment.

How would you like to float?

When you rent equipment you’ll notice that there is a big difference in price depending on what you would like to rent. 

• Tubes are often the cheapest option and are generally speaking about $30-$50 per person. 
  
• Rafts are usually the most expensive option ranging from about $150 to almost $400 per raft depending on how big of a raft you want. 
  
• Kayaks and Canoes often range from about $40 – $70 per person.

How long would you like to float?

When you pick out what equipment you would like to rent you’ll also be asked which float you would like to go on. Most outfitters will offer more than one option. Your equipment and float will be all rolled together into one price. 

Campground or Cabin?

The last thing to consider would be your accommodation, where are you going to stay? Lots of people choose to camp, but there are other options in both Pineville and Noel. 

Now I know what you’re thinking, camping is definitely going to be cheaper, but you might be surprised.

Since camping is such a popular option for both Pineville and Noel Missouri floating the campgrounds are far from cheap. Sites are often also limited to a certain number of people. So a hotel or VRBO can actually be a cheaper option at times, especially if you’re sharing with a large group. 

Since there are a lot of great VRBOs to stay in along the Elk River (unlike on the Illinois River) we definitely recommend checking them out.

How Long is a Float on the Elk River?

Each outfitter has designated floats that they offer. This is because they have to put in and take you back out of the river somewhere they have access directly to the shore. Most of the shoreline along the Elk River is private property so they can’t operate just anywhere. 

There are two main factors that will determine how long an Elk River float trip will take:

How Many Miles Will Float?

• Most float trip outfitters on the Elk River have options that are anywhere from 4 to 12 miles. A 4-hour float trip will take you 3-4 hours and a 12-mile float trip will take closer to 7 or 8 hours.
• There are a couple of outfitters who offer 12-mile float trips that you can do in two days. You will need a raft or a canoe for this since you’ll need to bring a tent and the rest of your camping equipment along with you. 

How Many Times Will You Stop? 

• Can a 4-mile float trip on the Elk River take all day? Yes, it absolutely can! There are tons of great spots along the Elk River to stop and hang out for a while and you’re definitely going to want to do that at least a few times. 
• Stopping on the shore is part of the fun! You can go for a dip to cool down, eat lunch, and just hang out in the water. If you stop frequently this will make your float take a lot longer. 
• Your outfitter will tell you what time you have to be at the take-out point. They might charge you an extra fee if you’re not back in time. 
• We made the mistake of passing the takeout point on the Current River one time and it cost us both time and money. 

Where to Stay for Noel Missouri Float Trips

Staying in a cabin with a group can be a ton of fun and can work out to be pretty cost-effective depending on how many people are staying.

Here are our top two picks for Elk River float trip cabins. 

Best Place to Stay on the Elk River Noel Missouri

Elk River Cabin That Sleeps Up To 18

• Great for Big Groups
• Right on the Elk River
• Less than 5 Minutes to Outfitters

This cabin will definitely save you some money if you’re planning on floating with a big group. It’s conveniently located right in Noel Missouri so some of the best outfitters are less than 5 minutes away. 

The cabin is also right on the river so you’ll still be able to hang out on the river after your float. You just don’t have to sleep on the ground to do it. 

✅ Book Your Cabin Here Now!
These cabins get booked up quickly in the summer, so make sure to book in advance.

Best Place to Stay in Pineville Missouri

The Farmhouse at Mimosa Riverside Ranch

• Right on the River
• Sleeps up to 8
• Great Views of the River

If you plan on staying upriver closer to Pineville Missouri then this is definitely the best place to stay. It sleeps up to 8 people which is just about perfect for most float trip groups. It sits right on the Elk River and has an amazing giant deck that looks out over the water. 

You can actually start your float upriver and float past the house which makes it perfect for stopping for lunch. There really aren’t many options for Noel Mo float trips where you can make a stop at your accommodation which makes this house pretty unique. 

✅ Book Your Cabin Here Now!
These cabins get booked up quickly in the summer, so make sure to book in advance.

Best Noel Missouri Float Trip Campgrounds

Camping is one of the most popular options for Noel MO float trips. Most of the outfitters that I mentioned above are also campgrounds which can make planning your trip a little easier. 

If you plan your float trip through the campground they will often pick you up right from your campsite, which makes getting out on the river a little easier. Be sure to also ask the campground where each of the float trips they offer ends. 

More often than not they will have an option that ends at the campground. We’ve been on a ton of float trips at this point and ending our float at the campground is our favorite. You don’t need to get back on the bus after you’ve been out on the river all day you can simply walk back to your site and relax. 

Here are some great spots for camping on the Elk River in both Noel and Pineville.

Elk River Campgrounds in Noel Mo

River Ranch Resort Noel Missouri

• Cabins on the Elk River
• Primitive, Electric, and RV Campsite
• Offers Float Trips
• Pet Friendly 

If you are planning on camping River Ranch is a great option. Not only does River Ranch have campsites they also have cabins on the Elk River, glamping options and so much more.

Having so much variety in one place is great because more often than not people end up floating the Missouri Elk River in groups and let’s be honest not everyone is cool with sleeping in a tent on the ground. (You know who you are). 

Wayside Campground

• Campsites right on the Elk River
• Tent Camping and RV Sites
• Offers Float Trips
• Rental Cabins at other Locations

Wayside Campground is another great elk River Campground. Just like the River Ranch campsites most of the Wayside campsites are right on the banks of the Elk River.

They don’t have quite as many options right on the river, but they do have several locations so they have more options in total. 

Two Sons Floats and Camping

• Offers Float Trips
• Primitive, Electric, and RV Sites
• Great Reviews

If you’re looking for an elk river camping option that’s close to Noel but not right in town the Two Sons is the perfect spot. They’re only two miles north of Noel but trust me when I say it makes all the difference.

While River Ranch and Wayside can be nice because they’re close to other things, being out in nature is what camping is all about.

Elk River Campsites near Pineville Mo

Lazy Days Resort & Campground

• Offers Float Trips
• Required to Rent Float Equipment to Camp Here
• Tent Camping, RV Spots, and Cabins

While it is still very close to Pineville Missouri Lazy Days is another good campground option if you don’t want to be right in a town. It’s only two miles down the road but even a couple of miles can make a big difference. 

One thing that we haven’t run into before is that you are required to rent floating equipment if you’re planning on camping there. While many of the campgrounds in the area offer float trips this is honestly the first time we have run into one that requires it. 

Big Elk Floats & Camping

• Lots of Float Trip Options
• Primitive Camping, Electric Sites, and RV Sites
• Volleyball Court
• Free WIFI

Big Elk Floats and Camping is probably the biggest outfitter/campground in Pineville so plan on making reservations early. They’re also a really good choice if you plan on kayaking the Elk River. While most outfitters will have some kayaks available Big Elk Float and Camping has a pretty big variety of kayaks. 

They also have a lot of other amenities like a volleyball court and a general store. So if you’re looking for a place where you can camp and not have to leave for anything other than your float, Big Elk is a great choice. 

Noel Mo Float Trips Wrap-Up

We hope this article helps you plan your Noel, MO float trip. Remember to make your reservations early if you’re planning on floating in the summer.

If you’re planning on going even further south be sure to check out the best float trips in Arkansas. The Buffalo River is our favorite, but honestly, there are a ton of great rivers in the area.

There are also a lot of great rivers close to St. Louis like the Black River and the Meramec River if you’re from St. Louis and don’t want to drive too far for a Missouri float trip.