ONONDAGA PARK..."OFF SEASON" Camping and Kayaking on Meramec River

We'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.

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.

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!