Family Float Trips
Float trips are a great source of summer family fun and memories. I know several people who still excitedly reminisce about the float trips of their youth. Plus, float trips can be reasonably priced for even the tighter family budget.
Planning a float trip is as much fun as the actual float. The first things that need to be decided are when and where to go. June to August are the prime months, but spring and fall have equally great floating opportunities. Weekends and holidays tend to be the busiest, especially at some of the more popular Ozark spots. Weekdays tend to offer a quieter family environment.
If you’d like to try something different, consider the Platte or Grand rivers in northern Missouri. The Platte flows from the Iowa state line to the Missouri River, just north of KC. The Grand River is another tributary of the Missouri River that has a north-central location. Both require floaters to bring their own equipment, rather than renting it onsite, but feature several lovely conservation areas. A Paddler’s Guide to Missouri from the Missouri Department of Conservation is a good source of information about these and other less-traveled rivers. While Kansas is a drier state with fewer public rivers and streams, most of the floating streams are located close to KC. Paddling Kansas by Dave Murphy is an excellent source of information for Kansas rivers and streams. I would recommend the introduction section alone for the basics of floating or canoeing. The Kansas (or Kaw) River is an excellent beginner river. An organization dedicated to conserving this river, Friends of the Kaw, has a wonderful website (www.Sites.Google.com/site/FriendsOfTheKaw/) about its efforts and offers group float trips and canoe rentals for this river.
A float trip can be as short as an afternoon or as long as several days, so be sure to plan your supplies accordingly. Proper personal floatation devices, swimsuits, plenty of drinking water, sunscreen and bug spray are essential. Other necessities include waterproof containers for food and trash and dry changes of clothes. Consider adding an overnight campout or fishing along the way for extra fun. Don’t forget to bring a waterproof camera to capture the great memories and scenery during your trip. The Missouri Department of Conservation has a page of contact information for outfitters (http://MDC.mo.gov/Discover-Nature/Outdoor-Recreation/Floating). And the Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association offers useful information about the rivers and outfitters in the Ozarks (www.MissouriCanoe.org/index.html).
As with any outdoor excursion, be aware of local, state and federal requirements. Missouri has stepped up its regulations to encourage a responsible, family- and ecosystem-friendly environment on popular float byways. Regulations include no glass or Styrofoam containers, except for those designs specifically for fishing, and limitations on alcohol. Generally following a “leave no trace” ethic is the best and most responsible way to float, no matter where you go. It ensures everyone has fun and the river is conserved for the next time you wish to visit.
Heather Shields, a lifetime Kansas City native, is a naturalist and a biology teacher at Ruskin High School.