About us
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 60 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 60 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
17
2026 ONONDAGA PARK... 3rd Annual 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.
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.
CAMPING:
Please post in comments (not chat and not PM) when you have reserved your campsite. You cannot just show up and expect a site to be available. Your RSVP here gets you nothing, you have to book a campsite. You want an electric site #22 to #65.These sites book up quickly. They only open reservations up 1 year in advance, so there are still several sites available on the cul-de-sac right now. If you're new to this, advise going to the MAP and look for green circles. We'll try to get as many of our people as possible on the cul de sac at the very end of the road. DO IT NOW, PEOPLE!
Comment below when you have a site, with your site # and equipment (tent, camper, etc). You can have 2 tents or a camper and 1 tent on same site. You need electric sites.
Missouri State Parks - Missouri State Parks Reservation System
Karen/DORA, Kelly/ELLIE and Wanda the Skamper Camper at #47. The party will be somewhere else, my site is always the "quiet zone".
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 hardshells under 10'. 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 25 minute shuttle drive. 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 and 2025. 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 in advance, we won't get your message once we're there.
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!
6 attendees
BEE TREE PARK in South County
Bee Tree County Park, 2701 Finestown Road, Saint Louis, MO, USI've only been here once, and I got lost. But, I remember that it was a very nice little park. There are 4 trails, they total about 5 miles.
Here's a link to the park. I'll find an exact meeting place.
Best hikes and trails in Bee Tree County Park | AllTrailsI'll get more details and revise this info later. Wanted to get it on the calendar.
5 attendees
Past events
2227
Group links
Members
95
