Road Trip Post #17: Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Montauk Springs, William E Towell Lake

Paddling on the Current

   This is what I'm talking about - paddling the Current River located in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri. A warm weather summer float surrounded by forest, cruising the river just downriver from Montauk State Park. It was so good we floated it twice in one week, both times from Cedargrove to Akers Ferry - about 10 miles.

   Although our Innova kayaks could have made the paddle no problem, we decided to make it easy and use kayaks from a local rental - Jadwin Canoe Rentals. They dropped us off at a popular launch site (below), Cedargrove.

   The paddle was shallow at times, but really manageable as the river here is class I/II. Jadwin picked us up and the end and brought us back to our vehicles and their general store packed with fishing gear, gifts, river essentials, and snacks & beverages. There is also a store close to the ferry at Akers.

Montauk Springs

  After our paddle we couldn't help but head upstream (via car) to the headwaters of the Current River at Montauk Springs. Smaller yet similar to Maramec, this spring pumps out over 50 million gallons of water a day and feeds the very same river we just spent time paddling.

One last paddle

   We launched on William E. Towell Lake (known locally as Little Prairie Lake) for one last Ozarks paddle. Small pocket-lakes exist like this one all over the state. It's easy to get a quick paddle in when you need one!

   We could spend a month in Missouri alone, paddling the entire Current River and exploring lake after lake…but alas, we must push on toward South Dakota! I would seriously love to come back here with our kayaks and paddle the entire Current - camping riverside is free in the entire park - it would be a pretty cheap adventure!
   ~Paul, Sis, Dad, Susan

Links:
Jadwin Canoe Rental
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Map
Map to Jadwins
Map to William E Towell Lake
Our entire Road Trip Route