This is the worst campground I've ever been to. This the place for hard core party ppl- who don't need sleep- at all!! Last night was a Friday night. It was as if we went to a rave and decided to spend the night in the middle of it. The website says they have a strict quiet time of 11p. They sure didn't last night! And supposedly our site was in the quiet section! Our neighbors had music blaring! Across the river was blaring a different music. Ppl yelling, dogs barking until 2 a. It was impossible to sleep! And after 2 a when music finally shut off, the trains start blasting their horns and more dog barking. Oh! And this campsite is RIGHT NEXT to a busy road! I don't always need peace and quiet. I like music on floats. This was insane! Never again! Well except for tonight. We have 1 more night in this pit they call camping. lol. And- the seed tics were trying to crowd us out! By the time I set up tent the first night, I pulled off 30 tics. And I had bug spray on. I know the tics may not be management fault, but I would want to know. We had tics in tent, bed, everywhere! Oh and the shower house. Cobwebs everywhere! Not just overnight, more like we are going to do the very minimum to maintain this place so cobwebs for days. Toilets themselves were clean. No A/C. Just a fan in the corner ceiling too high to turn on. The river was very busy- but that just means lots of ppl to hand with and meet. The float was awesome. read more

Elk River Floats - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Noel, Missouri

Pretty straight forward. They always answered the phone and answered questions. They had a rough start seems someone was late on the morning shift. But we got there about 9:15 and we're on our way about 9:45. Didn't have the fancy convenience store some launch points do, but honestly I can do without. It was very convenient the bus was right next to parking so we didn't have to haul our stuff from a parking lot to a bus stop like others ones we've gone on. They were all very friendly and helpful. The Elk River itself is a great run for families and easy to navigate. Definitely recommend! Do wish there was a slightly shorter run for families like ours. But that's ok, we'll be back! read more

BEWARE Absolute bullies. Over two kayakers waiting on a public road, to float a public river. Regardless charging $100 because they were pissy about the situation, when their prices are $20 drop ins. Demanding $100 or you're going to call the cops for trespassing. These mfs think they're the river mafia and can bully anybody they don't agree with. The last time I rented a kayak from them. It was taking water on the whole time. I had to dump it 7-8 times before the end of my float. When I finally made it back, it was almost night fall. I informed them why it took me so long to get back and showed them the busted hole in the bottom of the kayak I rented. Their response was, "well it sure wasn't sent out that way, so what did you do to it." Immediately assuming that I damaged their kayak. When it was loaded, shuttled and unloaded by their employees. When I asked for a refund, since my float was all but enjoyable. I was told "You completed the float and made it back didn't you? I don't see why you should get a refund." So I also disputed it with my bank and was refunded through them anyways. You can post this on however many bad reviews you want. Bottom line is, the family that runs this and kozy kamp are absolutely trash business owners. This place is mainly for the party people. So if you're looking for a peaceful place to camp with your family. This is not it. If want to watch fights, drama and live action cops. Maybe this is the place for you. Even the local cops hate this place. BEWARE read more

The campsites are crammed together, no shade trees and you definitely don't feel cleaner using the showers. The raft we rented was over full with air and we were all in pain by the time we left! I don't not recommend this to anyone. read more

Last weekend our group did a float and I lost my oar. My daughter told me later she was charged $75. Next day I called the office to ask for leniency. She was stern, said I signed an agreement, and she wouldn't lower the price. I called the outfit we usually go to, River Ranch. They charge $15 or $25 (I don't remember) for a lost oar. I called Wayside back to tell them and ask again for leniency. She was even more stern and hung up on me! My family and I will never go back to Wayside! read more

We stayed in multiple cabins at Ginger Blue. DO NOT STAY HERE! Very dirty, rodents, smelled like mold and mildew so badly we slept in the vehicle. Both bath tubs backed-up and there were no window coverings on any of the windows. There was no door on bathroom, so there was no where to change without being seen. Oven didn't work. There is no bus to pick you up from the location to get to the river, so you have to drive your vehicles, and then they drive YOUR vehicles back. The worst part of all of this is that neither cabin was cheap...not worth the money, stay in a tent. read more

This is a review on the cabin and not when we floated the river. we stayed at Cliffside cabin #4. The entire stay of our cabin smelled of sewer and mold/mildew. poison ivy everywhere!! The toilets would occasionally bubble with gas because the septic was backed up. The back deck was spacious that overlooked the river. But the boards were rotten and the railing was wobbly. We ratchet strapped the railing to a more secure part of the cabin. Ivy was growing in the cabin through the sliding glass door. No easy river access to go swim from our cabin. Even if there was a trail to the river it would probably be covered with poison ivy. Don't stay here!!! They clearly don't care about how the cabin looks and for $700 a night I expected a lot more. read more

I called last week & was told we could bring our 2 1/2 year old if we brought his lifejacket "it is up to the parent." Today I saw a 38" requirement on their website & although the car was loaded with 10 people, I decided to call again just to make sure. They told me he had to be 38" & EVERYONE there knows it. I really hate being called a liar & hate getting incorrect information. read more

I booked a kayak on Sunday afternoon for the following morning and the owner responded immediately and arranged a time to meet up. I arrived and picked out a kayak and then shuttled to the put In site, 11 miles up river. The young man who shuttled me was very informative. He had several helpful pointers for my first time on the river. The float was great, about 5 hours of floating, lots of wildlife and great scenery. I made it back to my car, which was kept secured while I was away from it. I would highly recommend these guys if you're looking for a no nonsense kayak-float experience. read more

We picked this place as the pics posted on their website showed a beautiful park and great access to the river. We got there and immediately regretted our decision. The sign entering from the road had not been repaired in years. They advertised full hookups. That was not the case. The power hookups and water poles were all in need of repair. They had one spot with full hookups. We were told to pick any spot which we picked that spot. Almost every electrical hookup needed a 100% rebuild as all the outlets had no covers and most were leaning over from being hit. There was human poop in the tree line. The cinder block bathrooms looked and smelled awful. The kids picking up trash we're not wearing any gloves. The only positive was the kayak part of this place. I think the kayak part of the campground was all they cared about. So if you want to spend a day or 2 floating the river this place will work. But as for camping either in a tent or camper STAY AWAYI gave 2 stars because of the ease of acces to river read more

Booked a cabin for two nights (with a $300+ price point). Cabin REEKS of mold, not clean, no extra toilet paper, NO BATHROOM DOOR, and beds are not comfortable at all. Piles of trash at front of cabin. Took 25 minutes driving around the find the cabin...no signage, directions given were incorrect, and there are cabins owned by private parties intermingled with the Elk River ones. Bus driver was awesome, however, the speed limit is 55 mph on these winding roads (which seems crazy to me) and another bus got too close and shattered our bus's mirror and window (which is super scary when you're in the front seat behind the driver). When we arrived, no direction was given on how to get/which canoes to take. Finally, some men came over, but we'd already pulled two off the rack by then hoping that was ok. Be prepared if you're traveling with young children - we had no idea it would be a giant party of floats and heavy drinkers at 9:00 a.m. We were even flashed at one point. Yikes. Not exactly the family vacation in nature we were hoping for after all. We did accidentally stop at River Ranch resort thinking we were in the right place. They had a beautiful shop, friendly staff, and it was clean. I can't attest to the cabins there, but a much better first impression! read more

Elk River Floats - Trash, kitty litter tub, etc. at front of cabin. Great "view." - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Noel, Missouri

The staff was extremely rude! Staff member (big guy) tried to physical assault a friend of mine for voicing his opinion on the staff members attitude and behavior. Same staff member was also standing by the river asking females passing by in canoes to show him their "tatas" ,which is common on the river but the boyfriends in the boats were getting highly irritated. I am guessing he thinks because he is a big guy he can act how ever he wants. Also have they never heard of a weed eater!!! They are just asking for a snake infestation!!Definitely not somewhere to relax with the family. Worst river experience ever!! I would highly recommend you stay anywhere but here! Can't say I didn't try to warn you! read more