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- Simpson Lake Full Moon PaddleSimpson Lake in Valley Park at the beach entrance. , Valley Park, MO
HOSTED BY STL COUNTY. CALL 314-615-8822 TO REGISTER. There is also a link below, but calling is easiest way.
You can bring your own kayak or rent a canoe from them. Good for beginners, dogs and "greenies". There are only a few of these each year, and some get rained out.
WE'RE MEETING AT THE BEACH THIS TIME.
BE SURE YOUR DOGS ARE LEASHED AT ALL TIMES WHEN ON LAND, UNTIL THEY GET IN THE KAYAK .
THE COST IS $8 TO BRING YOUR OWN BOAT. You can also rent a canoe, but you have to reserve. This includes hot dogs and marshmallows afterwards. If you rent a canoe, they have 2 time slots: 7-8:30 and 8:30 to 10:00. Moon usually comes out around 9:00, but it does change each month.
Rental doesn't exactly coordinate with our BYOBoat people. We usually launch around 7:00 and stay out until 9:00 or 9:30 with our own boats.
YOU MUST REGISTER, EVEN YOU HAVE YOUR OWN BOAT. The fee helps supplement the County's cost and helps keep these events happening. Everyone is responsible for their own registration. Your RSVP here does not get you registered.
Here is the link:
[Catalog - Saint Louis County Parks and Recreation (civicrec.com)](https://mo-stlouiscounty.civicrec.com/MO/st-louis-county-mo/catalog/index/3a91e7f0f3ca19d8f80be22890b12a1c?filter=c2VhcmNoPSZsb2NhdGlvbiU1QjMxMjMzJTVEPTE=)
A fun evening of just doing mostly nothing, sitting out on the lake waiting for the full moon to come up. You can pretty much do whatever you want. We will go around the lake probably. Some of us will go up the creek (2 miles), some just stay in the lake. You won't have time for the creek if you rent.- Meet at the beach, not boat launch ramp.
- Bring headlamp or lantern....you'll be deflating after dark.
- Bring bug spray. Bugs aren't bad on the lake, but they are when you're packing up to go home.
- Dogs must be on leash when on land!
Please pay the $8, even if you have your own kayak, so they will keep doing these. Last year, they let us pay on site, but then they can't plan for food....so please don't eat the hotdogs if you don't register in advance. Thanks
- KAYAKING ON THE RIVER, Choteau Claim Access (near St Clair) to RobertsvilleRobertsville State Park, Robertsville, MO
We all really liked this run when we did it last summer. About 6.5 miles, nothing crazy but a few fun spots. There were plenty of beaches.
We weren't too impressed with our Pacific/Allenton float this past week. The spring floods took all the fun stuff out of the river. And the new shuttle drive is a PIA, since they closed the one-lane bridge. So, we're going to try to find another "go-to" best float close to home.
LIFEJACKETS: Humans and dogs must wear PFD at all times on the water.
SHOES: Good water shoes , not flip flops or crocks
LUNCH: Bring lunch and plenty of waterNo Intex Greenies or foldables. You need upgraded inflatable or hardshell for river runs. Minimum 10' long.
LEASHES:
Keep dogs leashed or in the car when inflating/deflating.
Dogs must be on leash at lunch break. They can be off leash on the beach at other times. If your dog is aggressive or reactive, please don't sign up for this. We all want to be safe and have a good time. No room for a dog fight.
Please comment below if you have inflatable/hardshell. Also if you have a dog. If we don't know you, tell us how much your dog weighs.
SHUTTLING:
INFLATABLES: We've gone back to our old way of doing things. All inflatables meet at the takeout (Robertsville) at 9:00. We load into 1 or 2 cars. Drive to put in at Choteau. Inflate and launch. Hopefully on the water around 10:00. WELL BEHAVED DOGS ONLY, we pack them in on shuttles.
After the float, we need 1 person to take the shuttle drivers back to their cars at put in.
HARDSHELLS: You'll have to do your own thing. What has worked in past is meet at put in, drop kayaks, shuttle cars to take out and come back to put in. BY 10:00. Or have a shuttle buddy who can haul 2 hardshells and follow directions for inflatables. We'll tweek this later, if we have hardshells sign up, but inflatable people cannot haul your kayaks for you.
I've used the take out as location for this float, Robertsville State Park. The concrete boat ramp is way in the back of the park. Good parking lot and bathroom. It's a good ramp.
Here is the link for CHOTEAU CLAIM ACCESS, for shuttle purposes. Try your GPS in advance, this might not be sufficient. This is very near Old Cove Outfitters, where we've floated before. If all else fails, use Old Cove Outfitters on your GPS,you'll turn about 1/2 mile before Old Cove.
THERE IS A SIGN ON LEFT FOR CHOTEAU CLAIM, JUST BEFORE THE RR TRACKS.
Chouteau Claim Access | Missouri Department of ConservationRSVPs close at 4:00 p.m. Friday to allow for shuttle arrangements.
