What we’re about
For dog lovers who are ready to go "BEYOND THE SIDEWALK" with our best friends. Our main goal is to actually spend quality time with our pups doing fun things, instead of just hurrying through the daily grind of walking around the neighborhood.
You don't need to own a dog, but you'll have to tolerate ours. We stop often to water the dogs, take pictures, and play in creeks/rivers/lakes.
Usually, we have 2-3 events/week, year round.
When it's cold, we hike. Usually, we hike 6-15 miles/week in cool weather.
When it's hot, we kayak. Some easy lake paddles, some 10 mile river trips.
When it's nice weather, we camp. Campouts will include kayaking/hiking.
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In 2025, after 12 yrs of free membership, we have found it necessary to establish a $15/year membership fee. There is a 30 day free trial, but after that you will need to pay the dues to attend/participate in our events.
YOU MUST BE A MEMBER TO ATTEND EVENT. You'll need to answer our membership questions, pay the dues (after 30 day trial), RSVP like other members do, and abide by our rules if you want to hang out with us.
Leave the negative talk about family or politics at home, just bring a sense of humor and enjoy the day.
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IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A POWER HIKING/PADDLING GROUP, THIS IS NOT IT!
The pace of our hikes/paddles is more relaxed, and our groups are smaller. We take our "goof off" time seriously, especially if there's a puddle, creek, lake or river around. If you're in a hurry to burn up the trail, you won't like our group.
You do have to be reasonably fit for most of our hikes, which average 3-6 miles long.
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WE HAVE RULES & WE ENFORCE THEM! BE SURE TO READ THEM. It's no fun having to correct people on the trail. Please just read them.
Keeps our dogs and people safe and happy. By joining our group, you acknowledge that you have read these rules and agree to abide by them. You obviously hike at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety and your dog's safety.
If you don't like these rules...or think they don't apply to you...you should not join our group!
NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES, 6' max
NO INTACT MALE DOGS....THIS IS NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.
KEEP YOUR SHOTS UP TO DATE. We do not check this.
Please use tick preventative on your dogs, for their safety. Trails are often wooded.
Bring water for your dog....this is important, even if you don't think so.
Stay to the right on the trail, just like driving a car. We don't own the trails.
Arrive a bit early and be ready to go, we hit the trail/launch at the scheduled time.
Please leave the political or negative talk at home, no one wants to hear it.
PACE OF HIKE is set by event hosts. New members, do not take over and lead the pack.
If your dog is mean or aggressive, you will be asked to leave.
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REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP:
• A picture that clearly shows either you or your dog...prefer one of your dog!
• A real name for you and your dog
• Your dog's name, breed and age.
IF YOU DO NOT SUPPLY THESE THINGS, YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL BE DENIED.
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Upcoming events
20
Lights and Leashes at Oglesby Park with St Charles County Park
Oglesby Park, 2801 W Meyer Rd, Foristell, MO, USEnjoy the night sky with your dog as you emBARK on an interpretive hike under the stars. Bring your furry friend to one of our parks as we walk approximately 1.5 miles. These walks are on paved trails and are wheelchair accessible. Dogs must be on a leash. Participants are encouraged to use glow sticks and other fun light sources to light up our way. You do not have to have a dog to participate. Pre-registration is required.
This walk will take place at Oglesby Park. Please meet at Shelter #1.It's free.
Sign up St Charles County Parks
2 attendees
LOWER MERAMEC BOTTOMS DOG HIKE, off Hwy 21 in S County
Lower Meramec Park, 4850 Meramec Bottom Rd,, St. Louis, MO, USNice level trails. Mostly paved along the Meramec River. Some dirt offshoots that wind through the woods. It can be very muddy on dirt trails after a rain, but we should be okay for this walk.
About 3.5 to 4 miles, if you do both the paved and dirt trail.
Jane/MIDNIGHT will be hosting while Karen/DORA go camping.
Meramec Greenway: Lower Meramec Park - Great Rivers Greenway
Follow GPS or meetup mapping to parking lot. Cell reception is good, so we can comment here if it's an issue, once we get there.
NO access to river, so bring water for your dog. No big sandy beaches, like Castlewood. Most of the trail does follow the Meramec River, but you cannot get down to it.
Waterproof shoes/boots if it's been raining. The dirt trail can be muddy.
We hit the trail promptly at scheduled time, with or without you.
1 attendee
ONONDAGA PARK "Off-Season" Camping and Kayaking on Meramec River
Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Missouri H, Leasburg, MO, USWe'll just hang out on Thursday, then spend Friday either hanging out or kayaking, and Saturday kayaking. You don't have to come for all 3 nights, but you need to be at the campground before 9:00 a.m. if you want to kayak. And, we need to know you're coming ahead of time.
ZERO CELL RECEPTION HERE.
KAYAKING IS, OF COURSE, WEATHER AND RIVER DEPENDENT. We can tweek this part the week before, when we see the weather forecast.
IF THE RIVER IS FLOODED, WE WILL CANCEL AND RESCHEDULE. This campground gets evacuated when river floods.
Shower houses and flush toilets will be closed. There is a vault toilet just up the road. Water is shut off, so bring your own drinking water. You all know how this "off season" thing works, but it's the first time we can get a campsite.
Be advised, the ONLY toilet is the vault toilet near the entrance to the electric site road. If you pick a site way down on the cul-de-sac loop beyond the shower house, it will be a long walk to potty. Just FYI.
CAMPSITES ARE WALK IN ONLY, NO RESERVATIONS TAKEN. IF WE KNOW YOU'RE COMING, WE CAN TRY TO SAVE A SITE FOR YOU. SOME OF US WILL BE THERE ON THURSDAY, SO WE'LL HAVE PICK OF THE LITTER.
CASH OR CHECK ONLY, NO PLASTIC! We pay the camp host on site.
Your dog needs to be well socialized and well behaved. Please respect this rule, it's hard to keep this many dogs together for this.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOG ON SHORT LEASH AT CAMPFIRES, AND PLEASE DON'T BRING TREATS FOR OTHER DOGS. It's a long way to the nearest vet office.
Your dog should also be kayak savvy if you plan to float with us. There's no way out, once you start. And 10 miles is a long time on the water. Train your dog first before you attempt this float.
Please note:
ZERO CELL RECEPTION AT CAMPGROUND AND MOST OF THIS AREA!There is no "store" at park campground, but there is one about 1 mile away at Ozark Outdoors, probably only open on weekends.
https://mostateparks.com/campgrounds/onondaga-cave-state-park
FOOD: NO POTLUCK, BRING YOUR OWN FOOD.
We just don't have enough people for potluck, and the group has decided to do it this way, so we all have a decent meal. Some of us have microwaves, if you need to use one. We'll pick a campsite to gather on Saturday night for bonfire. Bring some wood for bonfire.KAYAKING: NO RENTALS, THIS IS B.Y.0.BOAT,
You need a high-quality inflatable or a hardshell kayak. No Intex greenies or low end inflatables allowed. No folding kayaks allowed.We're not professionals and not equipped to save you and your dog, if you have trouble. Not recommended for beginners. These runs aren't too hard, but there might be tricky spots. But they're too long for beginners. You need some river experience, know how to read the water and avoid trouble. These will be long floats, so you'll have to get your paddling muscles in shape beforehand. No way out, once you hit the water, you have to finish with the group.
LIFE JACKETS: HUMANS AND DOGS MUST WEAR PFD AT ALL TIMES ON RIVER FLOATS. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Leash your dog when we stop for lunch. Short leash only, no retractables at lunch. Max 6' length. You can have a longer leash after lunch for playing in the water. Big dogs need to be extra careful around the wee dogs when we take breaks.
Plan for Saturday is to put in at Onondaga and float 10-ish miles to Blue Springs Conservation area. It's about a 17 minute shuttle drive each way. We will drop our kayaks at Onondaga beach and a couple of us will stay to guard while others take cars to Blue Springs takeout. This is the run we just did in May 2024. Awesome.
If you want to do this one, you will need to be at the campground no later than 9:00 a.m. It's only about 70 miles from 44/141 in Valley Park. Be sure we know you're coming. Communicate.
If we want to on Friday (we probably won't), we will float from Huzzah Conservation Area back to Onondaga. It's only about 2.5 mile shuttle and about 7 mile float. Includes Courtois, Huzzah and Meramec River. Time to try these Deschutes inflatables on the smaller rivers.
When we self shuttle, we need DETAILS! You should include info in comment on hardshell/inflatable kayak, if you'll have a dog and size of dog. You guys know the drill. This will help with shuttle plans.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Use your GPS. It's about 70 miles from Valley Park, Hwy 44 at 141. Campground is pretty far back in the park, follow signs. Park is 7 miles off Hwy 44 at Leasburg exit.
AGAIN, NO CELL RECEPTION ONCE YOU LEAVE THE HIGHWAY!
8 attendees
Past events
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