ONONDAGA PARK...Camping and Kayaking on Meramec River

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-park

FOOD:
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!