Lower Elk River Ten Mile Winter Float Southwest Missouri
The cold weather finally let up for a moment, and I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. I’d been wanting to explore a section of the Elk River that seemed to have limited access.
The upper part of the Elk is well-known and popular for floating, with river outfitters all along the way offering boat rentals and camping options. The river runs for miles down to Noel, Missouri, where it eventually meets a dam.
But what’s downstream of the dam? Lower Elk River Adventures—a 50-acre riverside getaway offering camping, floating, kayaking, swimming, and more. If you’re looking for a great spot to explore, be sure to check out their website. https://lowerelkriveradventures.com
My plan was simple: float 10 miles from Lower Elk River Adventures down to Cowskin Public Access, just a few miles from the Oklahoma border. I had big plans for filming, with multiple cameras set up on my kayak and an underwater rig. But things didn’t go quite as expected—I lost a camera mount, and one of my power cables failed. A little frustrating, but I wasn’t about to let it ruin the trip.
Launch: Lower Elk River Adventures, 138 Golf Course Dr, Noel, MO 64854
Take Out: Cowskin Access, Anderson, MO 64831
I needed this. It had been a while since I’d been out, and I took the time to just float, relax, and soak it all in. The crystal-clear water, the stunning scenery, and the wildlife—ducks, geese, turtles, squirrels, and even one big gar I spotted along the way. Best of all? I had the entire river to myself.
Not a single other person in sight. I can’t wait to come back this spring and really fish this section. I can only imagine how incredible it will look in full bloom. What an amazing day—Mother Nature never fails to recharge my batteries and shake off those winter blues.
Attention: When visiting, please remember your responsibilities as an ethical angler. We work hard to provide details on public access points and share with our subscribers. Please obey and respect all posted signs. In addition, please help us keep these areas open to the public by picking up trash to help keep our water clean and safe for you and others.
