I need advice for a Spring paddling trip in the Ozarks. My paddling
buddies and I usually canoe in the northwoods (Ontario or Upper
Penninsula of Michigan) or kayak in the Gulf of Mexico. A river trip is
something new for us to plan and I need some help.

Our criteria are pretty simple:
- Ozarks region (paddlers are coming from Ohio and Texas)
- Clear (or at least clean) water
- Gravel/sand/rock bottomed riverbed. Mud-banked rivers suck. That's
all we have in Ohio.
- Scenic vistas. Cliffs, bluffs, caves, etc. better than large, flat,
open spaces.
- Long enough river to paddle for 6-7 days
- Minimal civil infrastructure. We'd like to see/hear zero cars for at
least a few days.
(do any other these rivers flow through towns?)
- Good availability of shoreline camping but not at road accessible
campsites/campgrounds.
- Minimal local rental traffic (meaning avoiding the most heavily used
stretches of river)

The rivers I am looking at are the Current and Eleven Point in Missouri
and the Buffalo in Arkansas. Based on my criteria stated above, does
any one river stand out as the best choice?

I like the clear/cold water and springs of the Current River but I am
beginning to get the impression that it is scenic but not very wild.

Also, any recommendations on rental liveries/shuttle services? Who has
good rental rates and nice canoes? Some of us don't own canoes and will
have to rent.

If you paddle the rivers in this region, do you paddle a poly or
fiberglass/kevlar boat? Is it possible to paddle a kevlar boat on these
rivers without trashing it completely. A few scrapes are no big deal
but I don't want to punch holes in my canoe either.

Links to trip reports, photo albums, and subjective opinions are all
welcome. I've been Googling the subject for a day or so now and I'm
finding more commercial livery info than personal trip descriptions.

This is a once-a-year, week-long trip for me and I have to make every
day count. If you had 6-7 days to paddle, where would you go in the
Ozarks?

Thanks.

Greg Smith

(remove bird to reply via email)