BackgroundThis is one of the most picturesque portions of the lower Missouri River. Impressive limestone bluffs tower over both the river and a portion of Katy Trail State Park that runs directly along the river’s eastern bank. Paddlers can access the river from the mouth of Moniteau Creek located in the historic town of Rocheport and float down to Katfish Katy’s (6.9 miles) or can choose to paddle further to Cooper’s Landing (16.3 miles). An alternative starting point can be found at Taylor’s Landing just up from where the I-70 bridge crosses the river. Specific information on travel routes used for setting up a shuttle and aerial maps of each access location can be found below. All of these Missouri River access points are no more than a 15-minute drive from Columbia, Missouri. This section of river offers the ideal day trip or very relaxed overnighter. Bed and breakfast lodging is even available in Rocheport or Huntsdale for those who choose to “rough it in style”. There are multiple hotels in the city of Columbia for those traveling to the area.
Mighty-Mo Canoe Rental in Rocheport provides canoe or kayak rentals for a guided float of the river. Tours of the river in a classic wooden skiff is available from Drew's Guide Company and Katfish Katy's also offers excursions on the river as well as canoe rentals. Paddlers will be rewarded by miles of limestone cliffs that dominate the river. This area was important to several Native American tribes and was evidenced by historical accounts of rock paintings on the rock walls. In fact, it is these rock paintings that give the area its name. The Manitou was an Alogonquin spirit symbol and several images were reported to be painted on the rock walls by early explorers of the region. Only a few of these petroglyphs exist today and can be observed above Corbetts Spring (alternatively named “Lewis and Clark cave” and located around river mile 184 on the eastern bank). Native American burial mounds are located throughout the top of the bluffs and speak to the spiritual significance of this area, a value that can still be understood today by those paddling bellow the massive bluffs.
Large portions of this run of the river are also flanked by state conservation areas and federal refuge lands (Big Muddy Wildlife Refuge System). Katy Trail State Park also runs along side the river for this entire stretch. With a little planning, one can easily use a bike to get back to your car after you float down the river.
Commercial camping is available for this run of the river at Katfish Katy's and Cooper’s Landing and primitive camping is allowed on the state conservation areas along the river. The location of these public lands can be found using the interactive maps on the MDC Web site.
Several sandbars will appear in the river during lower river levels (around 8 feet or lower on the USGS Boonville gauge) and can provide some great camping spots.
DISTANCE:
6.9 miles
River Mile 186.5 to 179.6
ACCESS:
Paddlers have two options for getting on the river in the town of Rocheport. The first can be found on the south side of town and is a small informal floating dock located on Moniteau Creek. The other is further up the creek on the north side of the town and in the form of an old boat ramp. In both cases it is a short paddle to where the creek flows into the Missouri River. Feel free to view a detail map online. The blue marker balloons are interactive and provide site details and can be used to generate specific driving directions to the site. Please keep in mind that parking is limited at both sites and larger paddling groups may have to park along streets in town to avoid dominating the put in sites.
AMENITIES:
Paddlers leaving Moniteau Creek.
The town of Rocheport is an amazing historic little town, with several bed and breakfasts and lots of unique antique shops. The town captures a bygone era in our state’s history and is well worth the visit. In town you can find a couple of restaurants and spectacular blufftop dining can be had at the Le Bourgeois Winery just east of town. Rocheport also offers a very popular trailhead for Katy Trial State Park and bike rentals are available nearby as well as bike shuttle services.
TAKE OUT:
The take out is at the ramp at Katfish Katy’s at the boat ramp that can be found on the left (west) side of the river at river mile 179.6. There is a $5 fee to use the ramp, but it is well worth it, as this is one of the better ramps in the area and they offer groomed camping sites, groceries and a place to lock up your bike if you intend to ride back to the town of Rocheport. For your convenience we have an Aerial map of Katfish Katy’s online
Highway I-70 crosses the river in the middle of the bluff line, aff
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Once on the Missouri River, the Manitou bluffs are immediately visible towards the east. A mile down river from Rocheport a boat ramp can be seen on the western bank, just up from the I-70 bridge. This ramp represents an alternative river access point called Taylors Landing. There is also an aerial map of Taylor’s Landing online.
DISTANCE:
16.3 miles
River Mile 186.5 to 170.2
ACCESS:
You can start this float at Rocheport or modify the trip by starting at Taylor’s Landing or even start at Katfish Katy’s for a shorter trip. The longer float takes in not only the Mantou Bluffs, but also two popular sandbars that can be found just below the ramp at Katfish Katy's. The first sandbar is called “Airplane Island” by the locals and a mile down river is “California Island”. Both of these sandbars can be the size of several football fields when the river is lower than 8 feet on the USGS Boonville gauge and offer truly amazing camp sites.
TAKE OUT:
Down river at river mile 170.2 is the takeout at the boat ramp at Cooper’s Landing. For your conveience we have an Aerial View of Coopers Landing online. Coopers is almost a must stop for those wishing to experience this section of the Missouri River. Alternatively, paddlers can use a public ramp (Providence Landing) that is located a mile up Perche Creek that enters the river just above Cooper’s.
AMMENITIES:
Cooper’s is an icon on this stretch of river and offers camping, food, live music and some of the only docks to be found on the lower Missouri River. There is a $ 5 ramp fee to use the ramp and parking and Katy Trail State Park are located here too.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
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E-mail: bryan.hopkins@dnr.mo.gov |
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