There are so many ways to enjoy Rocheport, Missouri and kayaking on the Missouri River is one of them. There is limited access to the Missouri River for getting a kayak in and out of the water, either at the Missouri River bank at the end of the River Walk or at Rocheport’s boat ramp on the North side of town at Moniteau creek which is currently in a state of disrepair. Nevertheless, the ins and outs of figuring out these logistics is worth the joy that comes from kayaking.
There is plenty to see on the river
The trip from Franklin Island to Rocheport is an easy ride that is about 9 miles. Spotting wildlife along the river is great. I have seen a bald eagle take a bath, deer crossing the river, and raccoons. You will likely see a barge and fishing boats. Everyone has been kind on the river and has given me and other kayakers plenty of room to navigate without an issue.
Could the weekend have been any nicer?
I did two trips this weekend. The first was a solo trip from Franklin Island to Rocheport. I was going as fast as I could and made it to the boat ramp in exactly 120 minutes from when I hit the water in Franklin Island to the boat ramp in Rocheport. Then, I picked up a friend, got back on the river, and went from Rocheport to Huntsdale. This part of the trip was more relaxed and we watched boats go by and enjoyed going under the new Rocheport Bridge. We were originally aiming for exiting at Cooper’s Landing, but as the sun set it ended up being too long for the time we had. The real reason for stopping ahead of schedule: I forgot flashlights! We decided it was best to get off the river at sunset and claim the float as a great trip.
The next day I was ready to go on another adventure. This time, another friend and I ended up floating from Franklin Island to Rocheport at a slow, relaxed pace. We had time to take photos and video recordings of the enjoyable experience.
Be prepared!
I am no expert but I can speak to a few essentials to having a great time while kayaking on the river:
Dry bag
Water
Sunscreen
Hat that covers you head and neck
Mobile phone in a water proof container
Handkerchief
Snacks
Toilet paper/wipes
Flashlight if sunset is a possibility
The list isn’t large and it isn’t all inclusive. Each time I have made a kayaking trip, I haven’t over packed, taking only what I needed since these trips have been around two and a half to three hours.
Use Google Earth to plot a course
Another bit of advice, use Google Earth to plot your course. If there is only two stops in between your trip, you can still benefit from the use of Google Earth. You can find other points of interest, actually see where you want to go, and look for any pitfalls. For instance, if you don’t know Rocheport, it is a challenge to find where to turn off from the Missouri River to reach Moniteau Creek. The only river marker I have found is a diamond shaped sign that gives a hint. Finding the stop for Huntsdale is the same way. I would have missed the boat ramp if I was by myself. So, I had to make a point to find it so I could be a better companion to others on the river. Who knows, if you take one of these adventures, you may find a path you didn’t even know was yours for the taking.
This is just a start
I’m new to kayaking on the Missouri River but I love this part of the river. I’ve been on repeat trips to Huntsdale, Coopers Landing, and Rocheport. I’ll keep exploring these parts of the river till it’s time to explore more. I swear, there’s no MO340 in my future! (for now)
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