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. There are usually other "dogless" hikers/paddlers. 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 (4+)
See all- KAYAKING ON THE RIVER, Choteau Access to RobertsvilleChoteau Claim Access, Villa Ridge, MO
This starts near St Clair on the Bourbeuse River, connects quickly to Meramec. Shouldn't be anything crazy here. About 7 miles to Robertsville State Park.
We did this once last summer and it was a nice little run. Everybody liked it. Nothing too crazy, but there are some tricky spots. Also, not a lot of current in most places, but that always depends on rain/flood levels.
Expect some big boats, there are ramps at both ends.
B.Y.O.BOAT, no rentals
Bring lunch/snack for yourself and your dog. It shouldn't take more than 4 hours, once we hit the water. We'll find a place to stop.
DOG AND HUMANS MUST WEAR PFD AT ALL TIMES WHEN ON THE WATER. NO EXCEPTIONS!
RSVPs will close Friday at 10:00 a.m. to allow time to arrange shuttling. If you want to go, sign up before then, and tell us what kayak you have (hardshell or inflatable) and if you have a dog. Include size of dog, if we don't know you. If you've signed up and change your mind, please revise your RSVP by end of day of Friday, don't wait until last minute. Shuttling is complicated when we throw dogs into the mix, and I want it settled by Saturday night. Thanks.
If you don't communicate, you might end up without a ride.
We'll take our time, like always. We're not a power paddling group, we play and goof off a lot. We'll stop whenever needed to let pups play in the water.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
For those who have done the Old Cove outfitter float with us before, this put-in ramp is very close to that spot. Choteau Access is a small road on left, just before you get to Old Cove. It is just before the RR tracks. There is a ramp here.
Use your GPS or meetup mapping.
We will meet by 9:30, inflate and unload our stuff. Shuttle cars will leave by 9:45 to drive to Robertsville State Park ramp. Here is link for Robertsville Park, for shuttle drivers to use. Looks like about 13-14 miles each way, so maybe 45 minute drive. I will stay to guard kayaks, while others shuttle cars.
Here is the link for the *takeout spot*, for you shuttle drivers.
Robertsville State Park | Missouri State Parks (mostateparks.com)
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
Use your GPS or meetup mapping. There are a couple of ways to get to Choteau. We usually get off Hwy 44 at the Union exit and wind around on the outer roads. You can also go to St Clair exit and double back a few miles. - ONONDAGA PARK...Camping and Kayaking on Meramec RiverOnondaga Cave State Park, Leasburg, MO
We'll just hang out on Thursday, then spend Friday and Saturday kayaking. You don't have to come for all 3 nights, but you need to be at the campground by 8:00 a.m. if you want to kayak.
Attendance limit of 20. Human guests allowed, but no guest dogs. If dog owner is not a member of our group, they may not bring a dog. Our events are for member dogs only. 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 long. NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS.
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: NO 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. Do not sign up until you have a campsite reserved. You cannot just show up and expect a site to be available. You won't be able to get a site in another week or two.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. I think there are about 10 sites available in that area, as of 5/20/24.
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.
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https://mostateparks.com/campgrounds/onondaga-cave-state-parkFOOD:
Potluck on Saturday night. We'll pick a campsite to gather on Saturday night for bonfire. Bring some wood for bonfire. We'll worry about who's bringing what food when we get closer and see who is coming.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.
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.
Dogs must wear PFD at all times on the water. Leash your dog when we stop for lunch. Big dogs need to be extra careful around the wee dogs when we take breaks.
Plan for one day is to put in at Onondaga and float 10-ish miles to Blue Springs Conservation area. It's about a 17 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. 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.
The other day, 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. We might do this one first, on Friday, to avoid the drunk tubers.
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. 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!
