Make the Most of Summer with Elk River Floats & Resort of the Ozarks
By Savanah Mandeville
Summer is in full swing and what better way to spend it than basking in the great outdoors?
Get away from it all with a family camping trip or a day-long float down the beautiful Elk River taking in scenic views of the Ozarks.
Roddy, Renee, Rylan and Rustan Lett, and all of the friendly staff, are here to help you make the most of summer. The family owns Elk River Floats & Resort of the Ozarks. They have four locations along Elk River: Wayside Campground in Noel, Trestle Park and Ginger Blue Resort in Ginger Blue, and they have recently taken over ownership of Kozy Kamp in Pineville.
“Our family loves this area, we want to bring the beauty of the Ozarks to as many people in the Four States as we can,” said Renee Lett. “It also really means a lot to us to help people create memories that will last forever.”
The three campgrounds and resort specialize in all things river fun – rafting, kayaking, canoeing and angling.
Float trips can start upstream, and you float back to your car or camp, or you can float to the next location and receive a shuttle back. The float trips range from Class I to Class II, making them ideal floats for beginners or those just looking to kick back and relax.
Floaters have the opportunity to choose between 6- and 12-mile float trips. With plenty of shallow swimming areas and gravel bars along the way, your group can make a shorter float last all day long. Available to rent are rafts, kayaks, canoes and tubes. Rafts are available in sizes as small as four person to as large as 15 person.
“We strive to make every float trip safe, convenient and affordable for our guests,” Renee said.
“Furthermore, Elk River has some of the best water quality and best fishing in the area.”
Elk River is famous for being one of the best places to catch smallmouth bass. Other fish include largemouth bass, spotted bass, goggle-eye (rock bass) and channel catfish.
“Not only do Elk River and Big Sugar have some pretty breathtaking views, there are so many fun things to do – swimming, fishing, picnicking or just taking in the sunshine on a lazy day at the beach,” Renee said. “Trestle Park has one of the most popular beaches on the river.”
When a long day of floating and fishing is done, relax at the campsite, cabin or vacation house.
Ginger Blue Resort has by far the nicest cabins on the Elk River. Many have a deck that overlooks the river, and some feature screened-in porches. Most of Ginger Blue cabins have a fireplace, perfect for cozy fall getaways after the summer season. Kozy Kamp has air conditioned cabins on stilts. The vacation houses are large brick homes perfect for church groups, business retreats or family reunions. The cabins and vacation houses sleep from two to 20 people.
Trestle Park, Wayside Campground and Kozy Kamp all have large, well-kept grounds for RVs and tents. All three campgrounds feature hot showers, firewood, snack bars and a well-stocked camp store where you’ll find any necessities you may have forgotten.
“We live in a part of the country that has such beautiful landscapes and opportunities for camping, floating and fishing” Renee said. “There’s no place I’d rather spend the summer than on Elk River.”
Elk River Floats & Wayside Campground,
201 Minnow Springs Ave., Noel, MO
Trestle Park & Ginger Blue Resort,
435 Elk Springs Rd., Noel, MO
Kozy Kamp, 71 Elk River Rd., Pineville, MO