This is an overnight trip on one of the most scenic rivers in Missouri. The class 1 spring fed river has abundant wildlife, bluffs, and flowers. It’s just over the Missouri border about 3 and 1/2 hours from Memphis.
Cold, clear river with trophy trout (catch and release). Paddling through a cool layer of mist hanging over the river. Springs gushing out of a cave at Turner Mill (Saturday’s lunch stop), stops along the way to play and do “the river train”.
For those arriving Friday night:
Camping at Greer Crossing Recreation Area
Alternative - Alton Motel (417) 270-6490
There are additional motels in Hardy, AR and West Plains, MO.
Shuttle service and Boat Rental
Eleven Point Canoe Rental will be renting boats as well as running our shuttle
Call 417-778-6497 to rent a boat
Your car will be shuttled from the put-in to the take-out.
BRING an EXTRA KEY and $50 cash for each car shuttled. (You can carpool to save money.)
Also, you will want to bring cleaning supplies to wipe down your vehicle after it has been shuttled.
Paddle description
We will meet at the put-in at 8:30 am Saturday. The put-in is in the Greer Crossing Recreation Area, where Hwy 19 crosses the Eleven Point River. If you are driving from Alton, the entrance is on the right, just over the bridge.
Camping on Saturday will be at a remote, primitive campsite on the river. There are a few campgrounds along the river and hopefully we can find a spot in one of these to camp Saturday night. If not, there is always a gravel bar! See Note
Bring plenty of drinking water with you. (Freezing in big bottles works very well)
After breakfast on Sunday morning, we’ll load up and head down the river to Riverton, where Hwy 160 crosses the Eleven Point River. Of course, we will stop at Blue Hole for a snack/lunch and a refreshing dip in the spring. I think that we will reach the takeout by 2 pm.
A link to a map of the river with a mile by mile description is here.
Bring the kids and come join us for the Big River Adventure!
Directions from Memphis
I-40 west across the Mississippi River and then take I-55 north.
Take the HWY 63 Jonesboro exit.
Continue on HWY 63 through Hardy, past the Spring River, across the Missouri state line, to Thayer.
Just past Thayer turn right on HWY 19.
Continue on 19 to Alton.
At Alton, take the second right at the Eleven Point Canoe Rental and continue on HWY 19 to the Eleven Point River.
Greer campground is just over the bridge, on the right. Look for Shelby Co. tags if you arrive late and want to share a campsite.
Other Details
This trip is for Bluff City Canoe Club members and their guests. If you are not a member, we would love to have you join. Membership is just $30 for the year and includes your entire family. You can join here --> Member Signup / Information
The Bluff City Canoe Club is a Paddle America Club affiliated with the American Canoe Association (ACA). The event insured through the ACA. If you do not have an annual ACA membership, you will need to bring $5 to purchase an ACA event membership.
We comply with the safety guidelines of the ACA which can be found here. You will need to wear a PFD during the paddle.
Each participant must sign an ACA waiver. Printed copies of the waiver will be available at the launch. However, if you wish, you can download an adult waiver or a waiver for a minor and complete it in advance. Please note that a waiver for a minor must be signed by a parent or guardian.