Canoeing is a peaceful and relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of America. Northern Missouri's Ozark Mountains and grassy rolling hills provide scenic paddling adventures. Track the historic route of Lewis and Clark or simply cruise one of Missouri's lakes while bird watching.
Rivers
According to CherokeeLanding.com, Missouri's Big River offers an uncrowded canoe or rafting experience. Big River is a northern Ozarks stream with scenic bluffs, gravel bars, picnicking areas and sites that contain historical artifacts. Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground offers the whole camping and boating experience on the Upper Iowa River in Northern Missouri. The river has been recognized by "National Geographic Magazine" as one of the country's top 100 adventures.
State Parks
According to the Missouri state parks website, there are two state parks that have canoe rental available in Northern Missouri. Thousand Hills State Park is in Adair County adjacent to the 573-acre Forest lake. Hiking, swimming, boating and fishing are a few of the park's activities. The marina rents canoes, paddle boats and kayaks. Wakonda State Park in La Grange, Missouri, also offers canoe rental. Six lakes dot the park; canoe rental is only available at Agate Lake between April and October.
Activities
There are guided canoe and paddle trips through the rivers of northern Missouri. Starwest Adventures offers guided float trips along the Missouri River that include river meals, canoes, paddles, vests, round-trip river shuttle services and experienced river guides. Groups can include up to 25 people; group rates apply to a group of eight or more. There are three-day trips and seven-day trips depending on how much distance you wish to cover.
Lewis and Clark
Many people enjoy canoeing the path of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804. The Missouri River offered Lewis and Clark a gateway into the west. Brett Dufur, author of "Exploring Lewis and Clark's Missouri" is a guide for Mighty Mo Canoe Rental. Mighty Mo offers day float trips in canoes that track the journey of Lewis and Clark while offering an educational and historical tour of the area by experts such as Dufur.
Middle Mississippi River Valley
The Mid Mississippi River Valley is home to many attractions for nature and history lovers. The valley is one of North America's major migratory bird corridors. Washington State Park features petroglyphs that are 1,000 years old, according to GreatRiverRoad.com. Hawn State Park, considered Missouri's most scenic state park has sandy-bottomed streams to cruise in canoes and 5,000 acres of nature to explore. There is camping available at both of these locations. Washington State Park also has cabins available for rent.
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