Planning an Ozark Cabin Vacation in Pineville, MO

Now that the holiday season is here, you’ve probably begun thinking of planning your next Ozark cabin vacation. After all, cabins make for some of the most memorable family vacations.

So, where do you begin? What better place to start than in your backyard of the four-state region of southwest Missouri? Whether you’re planning for a small family of three or a large family reunion, there’s one place you might find particularly charming for your first Ozark cabin vacation next Spring, Lazy Days Resort & Campground.

Cabins of Lazy Days Resort

Regarding cabin choice, there’s no place in the Southwest Ozark Mountains with more options than Lazy Days. With 12 cabin options, you can rest assured there is plenty of room to accommodate everyone in your family.

  • One 15-bedroom cabin
  • One 9-bedroom cabin
  • Four 3-bedroom cabins
  • Three 2-bedroom cabins
  • Two single-bedroom cabins
  • One treehouse cabin

Cabin Amenities

A benefit to every cabin at Lazy Days is the abundance of indoor creature comforts that are consistently available.

  • Air Conditioning
  • Coffee Pot
  • Refrigerator
  • WiFi service

Unique to Each Cabin

But when it comes to cabins, there is something unique to each cabin at Lazy Days. All the cabins are labeled with an alpha-numeric that begins with the letter “C” followed by a number.  

Cabin 4 [C4]

The largest of all the cabins at Lazy Days is more equipped like a home than a cabin. The 15-bedroom cabin, with 3-baths, offers a front and rear porch. In this home away from home, you’ll discover plenty of space to sleep up to 30 people, and it comes with a fully loaded kitchen.

Cabin 15 [C15]

The nine-bedroom, three-bathroom cabin is ideal for guests looking for ample space to accommodate 26 people. It comes equipped with a full-sized kitchen with two ovens and a dishwasher. Also ideally located in a secluded area on the property, cabin 15 can deliver the best to a family reunion experience like no other.

Cabin 5 [C5], [C6], [C7], and [C8]

The four 3-bedroom cabins are all situated conveniently in the exact location on the Lazy Days property. Cabins 5 and 6 come with two queen bunk beds and one full-size bed accommodating 10 guests, while Cabins 7 and 8 have two queen bunk beds and two full-size beds to accommodating 12 guests each.

The large covered front porches and covered back decks overlook the Elk River. For those chilly springtime nights, there is a wood-burning fireplace.

Cabin 2 [C2] and [C3]

Cabins 2 and 3 have two bedrooms and a single bathroom. Also, each cabin comes with one queen-size bed & two queen bunk beds that allow up to 10 guests per cabin.

Although these two cabins are uniquely different, C2 has a covered porch and a wood-burning stove with a jetted jacuzzi bathtub. In contrast, C3 has an elevated covered deck with a swing that overlooks the Elk River valley and has a wood-burning fireplace.

Cabin 16 [C16]

The only other cabin uniquely secluded on the Lazy Days property is Cabin 16. The cabin’s vaulted ceiling adds space for a loft for additional sleeping, accessible utilizing the cabin’s built-in ladder. 

Also unique to C16 are two bathrooms, unlike C2 and C3, which both have only one bath. Cabin 16 accommodates ten guests with one queen bed and four full-size beds.

Cabin 11 [C11] and [C12]

Of the two single-room cabins, these two cabins are the most rustic in layout and design. The two cabins are seated side-by-side on the property. Cabin 11 has two twin bunk beds to sleep four guests, while C12 has one full bed and one twin to sleep three people comfortably. These two cabins are perfect for families looking for a unique rustic charm within walking distance of the Elk River shoreline.

Like the other cabins, these single-room cabins come with air conditioning, a refrigerator, and WiFi service. But to make your cabin experience all the more rustic, outdoor grilling is a must in these cabins, and there is nothing better than campfire toast in the morning before a river rafting trip.

Treehouse Cabin 17 [C17]

At Lazy Days, the one treehouse cabin is a one-of-a-kind stay. You can do it all with a full-size kitchen while staying above ground level in a treehouse with six full-size beds that can accommodate 12 guests with two full baths.

Book Your Stay Today

There’s no shortage of options to book a cabin vacation at Lazy Days Resort and Campground. If you’re looking to unplug and decompress next Spring, book your stay today by calling (417) 223-3498 for the perfect cabin for you and your family.

Hailed From the Elk River Banks Near Pineville, MO, Comes an American Horror Story

Stories, as we all know, can come from two places: truth and myth. So, after you’ve finished reading this story, you’ll need to decide whether what you’ve read here is real or fiction.

Either way, this story begins on the Elk River banks just west of Pineville, MO. Locals in the area are familiar with a variety of forest creatures from;

  • Hawks to owls
  • Rabbits to squirrels
  • Armadillos to possums
  • Fish to otters
  • Bears to deer

Nothing really out of the ordinary, except for what locals call the horsap. A small illusive but fearsome creature, rarely seen by locals. But the story goes, it stands no taller than two feet and lives along the banks of the Elk River.

Horsap Creature

Although locals describe this creature as small, it’s not well-known how it got its name. It has a distinctive screech that often echoes in all directions. But generally only heard after dark during the last two weekends in October, which only adds to this American Horror Story.

Some locals talk of having encountered the creature as appearing horse-like with appendages that do not appear to leave behind hoofprints. According to one local, Harper Gladlock (fictitious names were used to protect local residents), he heard the creature’s harrowing shriek late one evening on the Friday before Halloween two years ago.

Mr. Gladlock reportedly knew the creature was nearby because of how loud it sounded and hearing something moving about in the shrubs along the Elk River banks. So he wandered down to the river bank in search of it and was frightened by someone or something charging him from the bush with a snarling grumble.

Although the horsap didn’t continue to pursue Mr. Gladlock, he reportedly looked over his shoulder at the last moment. Unfortunately, he only saw a small, deformed creature that looked much like a miniature horse with flippers. 

The next day Mr. Gladlock returned to the river-side to look for tracks from whatever he encountered but only reportedly found drag marks in dried mud that looked more like feathers with 4-inch talons on end.

Scottish Gaelic lore talks of a similar creature, the aughisky or ech-ushkya (pronunciation: each-uisge). English translation, the water horse. Perhaps this tiny creature isn’t as vicious as the mythical creature the Scots portray, but one thing makes this story eerily creepy. Where does this creature go for the other 50 weeks out of the year?

Myth or Legend, Book Your Haunted Float to Decide

To decide if this story holds water, book your haunted weekend stay at Lazy Days Campground today; call (417) 223-3498. There are only two weekends left to book a haunted float trip down the Elk River.

Tickets are available for purchase online. The first haunted float launches at 7:00 pm, with the last raft pushing off at 10:00 pm.

  • Friday, October 21
  • Saturday, October 22
  • Friday, October 28
  • Saturday, October 29
  • Sunday, October 30
  • Monday, October 31

Your Guide to Fall Foliage on Your Autumn Float Trip Along the Elk River

Fall is just days away, and there’s no better time to book an Autumn float trip than right now! To better prepare you for the Fall colors, we’ve put together this easy reference guide to help you identify those beautiful fall foliage.

Like so many states with striking Fall colors, Missouri is no exception. Fall in Missouri can last four to six weeks with showy displays of vibrant reds, brilliant oranges, dazzling golds, and bold purples.

Mid-October is often the time to take in those Fall colors. Although Missouri is host to a wide variety of foliage and plant life, residents are lucky to see the showy display that begins mid-September and wraps up sometime in mid-November. 

Mid-September Foliage

In about one week, early Fall colors emerge. Among the top forerunners of Fall color displays are:

  • Sassafras Tree
  • Sumac Shrub
  • Virginia Creeper Vine

Sassafras Trees

The leaves of a sassafras tree are uniquely shaped teardrops, often coming to three rounded points on each leaf. In early autumn, the sassafras leaves give off a brilliant display of reds, oranges, and yellows that intermingle with the natural bright green.

Sumac Shrub

The sumac bush is a magnificent sight of all the shrubs during the Fall. Its fern-like foliage lights up a forest floor with oranges, purples, and reds.

Virginia Creeper Vine

The Virginia creeper vine will adorn all it climbs with its rich hues of red. Unlike other North American creeping vines, like poison ivy, which display oranges and yellows, the Virginia creeper will envelop a tree trunk or building with Mother Nature’s paint.  

Peak Fall Colors

By mid-October, the Fall color heavyweights completely take over, which include the:

  • Maple trees
  • Ash varieties
  • Oak woods
  • Hickory trees

Maple Trees

The maple tree is well-known for giving a dazzling Fall show of rich reds, golden yellows, and orange ambers. Although there are 100 maple varieties around the globe, only twelve are native to the North American continent. The Missouri Department of Conservation only recognizes five as native to our state.

  1. Silver, or soft, maple
  2. Red maple
  3. Sugar, also known as a hard or black maple
  4. Box elder, or ash-leaved maple
  5. Amur, or Siberian, maple

Ash Varieties

Of the nearly 60 species of ash tree found all over the World, Missouri has six native varieties that range in magnificent hues of reds, golden yellows, brilliant oranges, and deep purples.

  1. Green
  2. White 
  3. Blue 
  4. Pumpkin
  5. Sullivan
  6. Biltmore

Oak Wood

Oak trees grow abundantly throughout Missouri, with nearly 22 known species and 30 oak hybrids. The Fall colors of the oak tree consist of deep reddish browns to dark, dusty yellows. 

With nearly four out of every five trees in Missouri being oak trees, it’s easy to understand how you might think the Missouri state tree is an oak. But you would be wrong; the state tree is the flowering dogwood.

Hickory Trees

Although hickory trees are prevalent throughout Missouri, only 17 known species exist worldwide. Fifteen of those species reside on the North American Continent. Interestingly, there are eight species of hickory native to Missouri. 

The hickory tree produces deep rich reds, yellows, and purples during peak Fall colors in Mid-October.

Book Your Fall Elk River Float Trip

Now that you know how to identify the foliage along your float down the Elk River this Autumn, you can book a relaxing Fall float trip for you and your family by contacting the premier rental location for Elk River float trips at the Lazy Days Resort & Campground in Noel, MO

If you’re looking for a relaxing Fall weekend stay, Lazy Days Campground offers premier Elk River RVing, tent campsites, and cabin rentals. Call Lazy Days Resort today to book your Elk River RVing site now!

The resort is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49; take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort sits nestled between the Ozark mountain towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

We invite you to read past guest experiences at Lazy Days Resort.

Essential Paddle Grips Every River Floater Should Know

Whether you’re new to river sports or a born river explorer, there is much to be said about proper paddle grips. While gripping a river paddle may seem instinctive, improperly grasping a paddle with both hands holding onto the shaft is a primary reason for injuries sustained in the boat. Although, keep in mind that most rivers in Missouri are easy enough to float down without an expert river guide.

So if you’re paddling down the easy flow of the Elk River outside Noel, Missouri, or maneuvering the class I or II rapids in the Big Sugar Creek near Pineville, Missouri, paddle grip is an essential piece of knowledge that serves you and your fellow floaters well.

Paddle Grips

Regarding paddle grip, keeping hold of a paddle while rafting, canoeing, or kayaking a river ranked as a class I rapid or above is essential. However, it may not be as crucial while floating down Elk River because it’s rated lower than a class I rapid, making it an ideal family-friendly float. 

Therefore, knowing the two common paddle types can help you better prepare for when you must paddle. Whether you’re launching from the river edge or paddling to shore, there are different grip styles for both of these paddles:

  • Single-blade Paddle
  • Double-blade Paddle

Single-Blade Paddle

Canoes and rafts generally come outfitted with a single-blade paddle because there can be more than one paddler for these types of watercraft.

Single-blade paddles come with two different types of grips: asymmetrical and T-grip. The asymmetrical grip generally gets used in lake crafts, like canoes. However, most river vessels come with a T-grip design.

Both grip designs give a paddler the most significant leverage with the least resistance. Depending upon which side of the craft you are paddling on, you will always wrap your palm around the T-grip cross body.

For example, paddlers on a raft on the right side of the boat will grasp the T-grip with their left hand. While paddlers on the left side of the rivercraft hold the t-grip using their right hand.

In a canoe, it depends upon whether there is a solo paddler or a two-person paddle team. If there are two paddlers, the team must communicate well which side of the boat they should paddle on to direct the craft to shore or cross-river. 

For solo paddlers with single blades, it’s a matter of swapping hand positions to ensure the cross-body hand is always holding the paddle grip, depending upon which side of the canoe the blade is on. 

In other words, if the blade is in the water to the paddler’s left, the right-hand grasps the T-grip. If the paddle blade is in the water to the paddler’s right, the left hand will grab the top of the T-grip (as seen with the paddler above). 

The other hand will always hold on to the shaft. For canoes, that will depend upon where you’re seated, in the bow (front) or the stern (rear). It will be the strongest paddler sitting at the stern who instructs the person seated at the bow. That’s because the person in the stern will steer the boat.

However, paddling in a river raft is different. First, it depends upon which side of the craft you sit on. If you’re seated on the port (left) side of the raft, your left hand will hold onto the shaft of the paddle, while those sitting on the starboard (right) side of the vessel grasp the paddle shaft with the right hand. 

Double-Blade Paddle

On the other hand, kayakers use a double-blade paddle, which provides greater efficiency in traversing river currents and slightly improves a kayaker’s speed. For kayakers paddle lengths can range from approximately 79″ to 81″. 

The blades are typically feathered and can rotate using a center ferrule, meaning the blades on a kayak paddle can rotate in opposing directions. That gives kayakers an advantage in wind conditions and the ability to paddle upstream.

The grip on a double-blade paddle is pretty straightforward: you wrap both hands around the shaft between the blades. Keeping your hands slightly wider than shoulder length apart and bent at 90 degrees at the elbow is the most comfortable position in a kayak.

Book A Stay Along Elk River in Missouri

Looking for an ideal location along the Elk River? Contact Lazy Days in Noel, MO, the premier rental site for river float trips. They offer prime Elk River RVing, tent campsites, and recently upgraded cabin rentals. So book your stay today at Lazy Days Resort and Campground!

Getting to Lazy Days Campground is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort location sits between the charming towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Read what past guests had to say about Lazy Days Resort.

Four Snack Ideas for Float Trips Down Missouri’s Elk River

There’s never a dull moment spent on a 7.5-mile float trip down Elk River toward Pineville, Missouri. Locals and visitors enjoy this seasonal activity of time spent with family and friends gently floating down the river.

After all, you can burn up to 350 calories an hour depending on your body weight and the river’s class rating or difficulty. Alright, so you might not burn 350 calories floating down Elk River.

That raises a good point: Elk River is rated below a class-I river, meaning it has few rapids and fewer river obstacles to negotiate. That makes it an ideal family-friendly float river.

It also helps to understand that Elk River’s average depth measures 3.3 feet, which places it into a low flow rate category that is calm and manageable for novice river-goers seeking to stay cool this summer. 

Although, no float trip is complete without a dry sack to tow along down the river. But what is so special about the dry pack? Aside from keeping everything dry, it’s an excellent way to tote along four snacks with a purpose.

  1. Sweet and Sour
  2. Protein Boosters
  3. Drinks for Hydration
  4. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable

All these snack ideas provide sustainable energy and hydration to keep your energy up, which helps you enjoy every minute on the river.

Sweet and Sour Snacks

There is no better combination for managing your electrolytes when it comes to sweet and sour snacks. The heat index in southwest Missouri can be particularly brutal in July, so keeping your electrolytes stable with a balanced blend of sugars and salts will help keep you having fun and staying calm and more relaxed while in the sun.

A fantastic sweet and sour snack that is pre-packaged and re-sealable is trail mix, a must-have on Elk River. Trail mixes are available premade or ho; here’s an easy recipe we found online

To keep it simple, you can grab some Ziploc snack bags and toss in your favorite salted nut or seed, throw in a preferred dried fruit, like raisins, a few M&M’s, and BAM; you’ve got a personalized trail mix for your float trip.

Protein Snack Boosts

Protein is an excellent choice for float trips. It can help sustain your energy levels all day long. For example, one cup of nuts has 27 grams of protein, which equals 813 calories.

If you’re watching your calorie intake, you can always reach for a Quest White Chocolate Raspberry, which contains 190 calories and only 1 gram of sugar.

Hydrating Snacks

Drinking river water is not advisable, so you should be packing plenty of hydrating snacks. It may sound strange to think of water as a snack, but water intake speeds up your metabolism, making you feel full.

It plays a significant role in staying well-hydrated while outdoors. After all, your body will sweat more than three liters of water an hour just sitting in the sun. That works out to six pounds of water weight loss in a single hour.

While you might not think of hydration as a snack, it’s essential to being out in the sun all day. A good rule of thumb is having 64 ounces of water for every person in a floating device. In addition, some manufacturers make water bladders that hold up to 100 fluid ounces of water.

Pack Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Snacks

Other excellent snack choices are fresh fruits and vegetables, like apples, pears, oranges, or carrots. All these choices can play a part in replenishing your electrolytes too.

Dehydrated fruits are also an excellent option since these snacks are less like to bruise or get mashed while on the river.

Top Snack Picks 

For us at Lazy Days Resort & Campground, our top picks for a well-packed dry sack for a float down Elk River is a snack-size bag of shelled pistachios, a Cliff bar, chili cover dried mangos, 32 ounces of bottled water, and one packet of strawberry kiwi flavored Propel.

Booking Your Elk River Float

If you’re planning a float trip down Elk River, we at Lazy Days Resort & Campground would love to have you stay with us. We offer all our guests access to set off on an Elk River float trip right from our property. 

We have some of the valley’s premier Elk River RVing sites at the Lazy Days Resort. We are only a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort location is between Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Book your stay today and your float trip too. Here’s what some of our recent guests had to say about their stays at Lazy Days Resort & Campground!

Affordable Elk River Float Trips!

Summer is fast approaching, and Elk River floating season is already in full swing. If you find your mind turning to thoughts of the river as the days get longer and warmer but are concerned about the cost of a trip, we’re the perfect solution.

Affordable Pineville MO River Floats

At Lazy Days Campground, we offer the most affordable Elk River you’ll find anywhere in Pineville or Noel, Missouri. Our rates start at only $30 for a one-person kayak and only get more affordable as you add more people to your float trip! Plus, we offer floating on both Elk River and Big Sugar Creek!

Getting to Lazy Days Campground

One of the best things about a float trip at Lazy Days Campground is how easy it is to get here. We’re the closest outfitter on Elk River to I-49. In fact, it only takes one minute to drive from the exit off I-49 to our campground. We’re just far enough to get away from the highway noise but not far enough away to make us impractical to get to.

We’re also just an easy 15-minute drive from Bentonville, Arkansas. So, for those of you in NWA, we’re an easy and affordable day trip! Bring the whole family!

Kayaks, Canoes, Rafts & More

We provide everything you need for your day on Elk River. To start with, you can choose a:

  • One-person kayak
  • Two-person kayak
  • Two-person canoe
  • Three-person canoe
  • Six-person raft
  • Eight-person raft

Beyond that, we provide everything else you will need, including life vests and paddles. Transportation back to Lazy Days Campground is also included!

Note: Please be aware that personal floating equipment is not allowed on Lazy Days Campground property.

Reserve Your Elk River Float Today!

We sincerely hope that you will join us for a float on the beautiful Elk River soon! Reserve your Lazy Days Campground float today!

Spring Improvements to Our Pineville MO Cabins!

Here at Lazy Days, we’ve been busy updating a couple of our Pineville, Missouri cabins, and we’re so excited to share them with you! We just finished work on two of our waterfront, Elk River cabins in time for summer camping and floating season. Take a look!

Updated Pineville MO Cabins on Elk River

Pineville MO cabin with covered porch
Elk River waterfront cabin in Pineville, MO

These two modern Elk River cabins now feature brand new covered porches to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors rain or shine! It is our hope that you, your family, and your friends, will experience these Pineville cabins for many years to come. Whether grilling, having a few beers, or having long conversations into the evening, there are no bad days on the river. And getaways on Elk River are only made better by fully equipped cabins right on the waterfront.

Some things we loved about this spring project were the way the new red-stained wood posts contrasted with the green roofs on these cabins. There’s something so fresh and clean about the way it looks. Yet the timeless, rustic feel is completely intact.

Fully Equipped Elk River Cabins

The interior of these two cabins are every bit as nice as the exterior. In the kitchen, there is a full-sized refrigerator, four-burner stove and oven, and a coffee maker! The living room is no less well equipped with a wifi-connected smart TV and plenty of comfortable seating for your whole group!

Float & Stay at Lazy Days Campground

This is your invitation to take some time off and experience life on the river! Reserve an all equipment included float trip on Elk River and spend a few days in one of our cabins for the vacation you’ll want to repeat each year!

Reserve Your Elk River Stay Now!

5 Best Things to Do in Pineville, Missouri

Are you looking for a great weekend getaway to the beautiful Ozarks of Southwest, Missouri? Pineville has it all – beautiful hills, creeks, and mountains, with a friendly and laidback atmosphere. It’s also close enough to I-49 and northwest Arkansas to make for a convenient day or weekend trip!

1. Tall Pines Distillery in Pineville MO

Did you know Pineville, MO has its own moonshine distillery? It’s true! Tall Pines Distillery is one of the coolest places to visit on a trip to Pineville. According to the Tall Pines website, “Tall Pines Distillery MO offers unique whiskey, brandy, and moonshine that you will not find anywhere else! We offer our signature flavors year-round, as well as seasonal flavors and location-exclusive flavors.”

2. Big Sugar Creek State Park

Big Sugar Creek State Park, located just outside Pineville, Missouri, is one of Missouri’s most beautiful and accessible state parks. Just outside of Pineville city limits, the park has beautiful Ozark trails which are free for public access. The park preserves the Ozark landscape as it would have been historically, and you will find many plants that are not as commonly seen these days.

3. McDonald County Museum in Pineville MO

Learn the history of Pineville, Missouri in a hands-on way at the McDonald County Museum. Visitors to the museum report that they are impressed with the attention to detail in the exhibits.

4. Camping!

Camping is a popular activity in the Pineville, Missouri area. Our campground, Lazy Days, is located on the beautiful Elk River, just outside Pineville city limits. We offer RV sites with full electric, the best cabin stay in the county, and spacious tent camping areas down by the river! 

Reserve your stay today!

5. Float Elk River!

Elk River is one of the best rivers in the Ozarks to float. The scenery is unmatched, and the numerous long bends and sand bars make the floating a trip to remember. Couple that with excellent fishing, and you’ve got a day on the water that just can’t be beaten. 

Lazy Days Campground offers floats and everything you need to enjoy Elk River! Plus we’re just outside of Pineville, Missouri!

Enjoy Your Trip to Pineville

We hope you enjoy your trip to Pineville! Southwest, Missouri, and the Ozarks are an environment that is unmatched. And we hold a special place in our heart for Elk River in particular. We think you will too!

Lazy Days is Your Perfect Spring Camping Spot!

We’re now fully into springtime and the weather is beautiful! As many of us turn our minds toward outdoor getaways, Lazy Days is the perfect spot for your spring camping trip!

Top Reasons to Camp at Lazy Days!

There are many great reasons we think you’ll enjoy camping at Lazy Days, but here are some of the most important ones…

1. Lazy Days is Close to Northwest Arkansas

Lazy Days is located just 14 minutes from Bentonville, Arkansas, making us the perfect place for a weekend camping trip to Elk River, or an excellent day trip! Our campground is just a quarter of a mile from I-49, so getting here conveniently is never a problem!

2. Lazy Days is Right Next to Pineville, MO

Adding to our ease of accessibility, Lazy Days is located just a few feet from Pineville, Missouri city limits. So, enjoying the nightlife in town, or going to the grocery store, is an easy trip from Lazy Days!

3. Lazy Days Has Two Swim Beaches for Campers!

Lazy Days has two swim beaches for our campers! These areas are the perfect way to access Elk River and enjoy the day in the water!

More About Camping at Lazy Days

Lazy Days has plenty of camping space down by the river! Here are some things you should know before reserving a campsite here:

  • Each campsite has access to a fire ring.
  • There are picnic tables, public bathrooms, and showers available.
  • There is a minimum group size of four per campsite
  • You must reserve a float trip to camp at Lazy Days

We hope to see you soon! Reserve your spring campsite today!