Gasconade River "At a Glance" |
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| Scenery | Ozark Mountains & piedmont |
| Best time | Spring & Fall (Summer) |
| Wilderness | Natural "feel" in a well-settled area |
| Water Flow | Usually adequate for canoeing; higher in spring |
| Water Quality | Good |
| Campsites | Nice gravel bars, some developed camps |
| Hazards | Some rapids, esp. upper sections |
| Logistics | Frequent access, some canoe rentals available |
| Trip Length | Up to 239 miles |
| Recommendation | Best Ozark river for really long trips; not so crowded as Current or Buffalo |
A scenic bluff overlooks our campsite on the Gasconade River
General Description & Characteristics -- The Gasconade flows out of the Central Ozark Mountains, northward to the Missouri River. At 350 miles, it is the longest river flowing entirely in Missouri. The upper section is a typical winding Ozark stream. The many small springs of the region provide a moderate flow of clear, cool water. The Gasconade is generally floatable except during the driest of summers. Most of the Gasconade is characterized by long pools of slow water, interrupted occasionally by faster areas of gravel shoals.
This river does not have the protection or official designation of some of the other rivers of the region, but it has many of the same recreational and scenic values. Because it does not have the same level of recognition, the Gasconade has the benefit of not being so crowded, although it is locally popular as a float stream, and local fishermen will be seen on a regular basis. Aside from the upper river which is partly in the Mark Twain National Forest, you will see some development along the river, but most of it is in keeping with the river's environment.
The upper Gasconade has some riffles, but nothing that would be considered a serious rapid. As the river draws away from the Ozark Mountains, it becomes slower and wider, and flows through agricultural lands and some small villages.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- The farthest upstream access for dependable canoeing is at Buzzard Bluff MDC Access, located off highway E in Wright County (south of the town of Manes -- you will need a county map to find this). From this point to the mouth of the Gasconade at the town of the same name, it is 239 miles. Depending on the level of the river, you should plan to make 10-15 miles per day. For a good week long trip in the middle section of the river (our favorite), try Hazelgreen Access (near I-44 bridge) to highway 42 (near Vienna), a run of 104 miles. There are many, many access points along the way, so you can plan a trip to match the time you want to spend on the river. If you go all the way to the mouth of the Gasconade, you can take out at the public boat ramp in town, or keep on going down the Missouri (as far as you like, or take out 11 miles downstream in the picturesque town of Hermann). If you venture onto the Missouri River, be prepared for fast water, wind, wing dams and the possibility of encountering commercial barges. There is a public landing just below the bridge at Hermann.
Interesting Features -- Bluffs, springs, and hardwood forests typical of the Ozark region are found on the Gasconade. There are a few caves in the upper sections of the Gasconade. Fall color season in mid-October is beautiful, as the adjacent hills are covered with oak and hickory, which are resplendent in their red and orange foliage.
Wildlife is plentiful along the Gasconade River. Bald eagles are seen frequently in the cool season, and they appear to be expanding their nesting range to include this area. Some of the flat bottomlands along the river are used for agriculture and cattle grazing.
In the lowest section of the river at the village of Fredericksburg, there is a car ferry across the river and a very interesting restaurant. They also allow primitive camping on the grounds.
Camping -- You can camp along the river on gravel bars, such as the one pictured above. On the upper and middle Gasconade, you will find these in abundance, but as you come closer to the Missouri River, fewer gravel bars will be found. If it is necessary to camp above the river banks, be aware that except in the Mark Twain National Forest, the land is privately owned, and trespassing rules must be observed. The state of Missouri has several riverside access parks along the Gasconade and most of these allow camping (they are accessible by road, but most are in remote areas).
Additional Information:
| Canoeing Information | See "Books", below |
| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service |
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| River Flow Data |
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| Parks on/near the River |
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| Towns/Other Locales on/near the River | |
| Books | A Paddler's Guide to Missouri (Missouri Department of Conservation) |
| More Pictures | Arthur Kuehne's Photo Gallery |
| Environmental Issues/Organizations | |
| Acknowledgments/Contributors | |
| Miscellaneous |
