Lazy Days

Resort & Campground on Elk River

Lazy Days Blog

Lazy Days Blog

A Riverside Cabin Retreat Along the Elk River in Missouri

If you’re looking for a great vacation spot near Pineville, and Noel, MO, consider renting a cabin retreat along the Elk River at a property equipped to deliver on the following:

  • Cabin rental retreats along Elk River
  • Vacation amenities
  • Premier location
  • Booking your cabin retreat online

Cabin Rental Retreats Along the Elk River

A perfect spot for an Elk River getaway, this one-story cabin is spacious and boasts 15 bedrooms, three bathrooms, a laundry, and riverfront views. There is plenty of parking directly outside the cabin, so you can park up front, making it easy to unload and load up.

Your riverside retreat location sits along the riverbanks of the Elk River. The largest cabin is a full-fledged 4,000 square feet vacation rental home with border windows that let in ample natural light, framing the outdoor scenery’s tranquility.

Capable of accommodating groups of up to 30 people. The riverside retreat at Lazy Days Resort boasts 15 bedrooms, each with a full-sized bed for two.

Vacation Amenities

The cabin retreat comes fully furnished with expansive living room space and a full-sized kitchen for gathering and lounging. In this cabin riverside retreat, you and the other guests will have adequate space even with a whole house full of friends!

Other features that make this riverside cabin retreat perfect for a week-long vacation are plenty of bathrooms and ample deck space for outdoor dining with an expansive riverside view—an ideal riverside cabin retreat with the ultimate getaway for weekend warriors too.

Premier Location

Cabin retreats like this rental are perfect for event stays too. It’s ideal for a girls’ weekend. So it’s always a good idea to be aware of booking requirements and cancellation policy since many resorts, like Lazy Days, have a two-night minimum stay on weekends.

The ideal cabin retreat at Lazy Days Resort is outfitted with float equipment, including a scheduled private shuttle to transport you and your friends back to your cabin retreat afterward.

Booking Your Cabin Retreat Online

The perfect location for your cabin retreat is between the charming towns of Noel and Pineville, MO. They are just a one-minute drive West of Interstate 49 at exit 5 near mile marker 6. Lazy Days Campground is situated along the tranquil Elk River banks and offers camping, float trips, and comfortable cabin accommodations.

Please plan on spending some time away from it all at Lazy Days Resort & Campground in the Ozark Mountains of Southwest Missouri to take a slow float down The Elk. Make the most of your cabin retreat experience by booking your stay today!

Craig Sanders15-Bedroom Cabin, Cabins

Cabin Rental Stay: Planning A Reunion With Friends

Are you planning a reunion with friends? Cabin rentals are a great way to get everyone together for a fun and memorable weekend.

Whether you’re reuniting with college friends or catching up after a long work week, a cabin stay should offer a variety of amenities to make your reunion a special occasion.

From spacious decks to cozy fireplaces, trying to find something to suit everyone’s taste can be hard. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to plan a friends reunion at a venue with cabin rentals which:

  • Accommodate large groups
  • Offers a convenient location to near by towns
  • Have close proximity to I-49 for easy accessibility

Determine Group Size

When planning a reunion with friends, you’ll need to determine how many people will stay in your group. Lazy Days Resort offers cabins that can accommodate groups of 3-30 people, perfect for any size gathering.

They have one treehouse cabin that sleeps up to twelve, and there are also cabin rentals excellent for smaller group reunions of two or three. Located between Noel and Pineville, Missouri, along the Elk River, the cabins make an ideal setting for a gathering friends.

The area offers plenty of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. Float trips are available on the Elk River and Big Sugar for group rafts, kayaks, and canoe rentals.

If you don’t feel like floating, why not find a lovely shade tree to relax under? You can also take one day to stroll through the charming towns of Pineville and Noel, Missouri.

The cabins are the perfect setting to catch up with friends while grilling outdoors and sipping on a few cocktails near a campfire. No wonder people come from across the four states to visit this special place!

Consider Amenities

When planning a reunion with friends, the amenities offered at the venue location are as essential as the size of cabin you rent. That makes proper planning critical to running smoothly for everyone during their stay.

So be sure to look up the details on the guest policy or give the Resort a call at (417) 223-3498.

to have your questions  answered ahead of time so you and your group get the most out of your stay! Here are three important reminders to considering when booking for a large group:

  1. Does the resort supply linens, towels, and toiletries?
  2. Are guests required to bring their own kitchen utensils and cookware?
  3. Know the designated quiet hours for the resort.

An important aspect of planning a reunion at a resort with cabins is ensuring each guest has a bed for sleeping. Always plan on booking a space with extra beds for guests who change their minds and show up at the last minute.

Be sure to remind your friends to pack a sleeping bag, pillow, and towels. It is also essential to determine who in the group will bring cooking supplies, such as:

  • Pots and pans
  • Cooking utensils
  • Paper plates
  • Plasticware and cups

Everyone in your group can contribute to food and drinks to ensure there’s enough to last throughout the entire cabin stay. As a group, it’s helpful to share responsibilities after each meal or activity so that everything stays organized and neat throughout your time together. 

Finally, it’s beneficial to let you friends know in advance what the resort’s designated quiet hours are so everyone can rest well without any disturbances.

Choose A Location for a Friends Reunion

Lazy Days Resort is the perfect spot to gather with your friends for a reunion. For groups seeking a cabin experience right along the Elk River, Lazy Days offers unbeatable views and river excursions in the four states—Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Plus, cabins at Lazy Days can comfortably sleep groups of 10 to 30 people. All large group cabins come with running water, air conditioning, a coffee pot, a refrigerator with freezer, a full-sized kitchen stove, ample deck space overlooking Elk River, television cable, and WiFi service.

Cabins that sleep 1-3 people at Lazy Days Resort are perfect for small group reunions. These cabins come equipped with air conditioning, a small refrigerator, WiFi service, and outdoor grilling only. 

If you’re ready to plan your reunion, look for Lazy Days Campground on Google Maps, and you’ll discover they are located less than a 2-hour drive from any major city in the four states. Lazy Days Resort and Campground, just outside Pineville and Noel, Missouri, is conveniently located one minute West of I-49; take exit 5 near mile marker 6.

It’s the perfect location for a fun-filled weekend near Pineville, Missouri. They are taking reservations now for May 1 through October 31, 2023. Make your reservation today to guarantee your spot!

Craig SandersCabins, Treehouse Cabin

Book Your May 1st Cabin Holiday Along the Elk River in Pineville, MO, Before New Year’s Day 2023

If you are starting to plan your first Spring vacation for May 1, 2023, why not plan a cabin holiday near Pineville, MO, before New Year’s Day? The picturesque location offers visitors plenty of outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery. You can book your stay online or by phone at Lazy Days Resort.

Kicking Off Your Summer Vacation With A Cabin Holiday

A cabin holiday along Elk River near Pineville, MO, is an ideal way to kick off your summer vacation plans in style and splendor. The natural beauty of the area, combined with all the amenities and activities of a modern city, make this the perfect destination for families, friends, couples, or individuals looking to get away after the long winter.

Cabin Stay Adventures

During your cabin vacation along the Elk River banks outside Pineville, MO, visitors can access the river for activities such as:

  • Lure fishing or fly fishing
  • Paddle a tandem kayak
  • River rafting as a group
  • Trail hiking to take in nature’s canvas
  • Simply relaxing along the river banks to absorb the breathtaking beauty of the area.

And for those looking for a more leisurely stay, Pineville is home to some great dining restaurant dinning and shopping in Missouri.

Cabin Options

With twelve cabin options, you’ll find something that meets all your expectations. Whether it’s a rustic cabin stay with only one room and an outdoor grill for cooking to a cabin with a deck overlooking the river, you’ll be able to find the cabin of your choice here at Lazy Days Resort.

We want to ensure you get the most out of your stay, so we offer various services and amenities to enhance your experience. Whether it’s a romantic retreat or a fun-filled rafting weekend, we have all you’ll need for a memorable stay.

From a fully equipped luxury treehouse cabin that sleeps twelve to cabins that can sleep groups of 10 to 30 people. You’ll find something for everyone at Lazy Days. Some cabins have fireplaces; while others have outdoor grills, porches, decks, and more to help you get the most out of your stay.

Booking Your Cabin Stay

With activities such as fishing, hiking, and river rafting all available within proximity of your cabin, you can find something fun for everyone. Guarantee your Spring cabin vacation today and start a new holiday tradition for you and your family by booking before New Year’s Day.

We look forward to helping you plan the perfect Cabin getaway this Spring along the Elk River in Pineville, MO. Contact us today for more information at (417) 223-3498, or get started now by booking your stay online today! We look forward to making you and your family’s cabin vacation memorable.

From small to large groups, Lazy Days Resort has twelve cabins to choose from for parties as small as one up to groups of 30 people. Our affordable lodging rates ensure the perfect cabin stay along Elk River in Pineville, Missouri, that fits your budget and needs.

Craig SandersCabins, Kayaks, Pineville MO, River Rafts

A “Christmas Connection” From the Small Ozark Town of Noel, Missouri

Today marks the middle of December, signaling that Christmas is just ten days away. That means there’s still plenty of time to get all your Christmas cards and packages mailed off to the Post Office Master this Christmas in Noel, Missouri.

Why Noel?

Aside from the town’s spelling, Noel (typical pronunciation, nole) is much like any other small town in the United States. “The Christmas City” Committee has many planned events for locals, from a Christmas Parade to a Christmas Lighting Contest.

Going into its 9th decade, the local Noel post office has carried on a practice that has drawn worldwide attention. But one tradition has stood the test of time. What began as a simple idea grew into a Christmas tradition sparked by Presidentially appointed postmaster Ed Rousselot in 1933.

Noel Post Office Tradition

Thanks to Postmaster Rosselot, Noel, Missouri, was put into the spotlight with a clever idea that has begun a town tradition that many locals volunteer their time each year to bring Christmas cheer to people all over the globe.

He proposed mailing Christmas cards and letters to Santa get sent to:

Postmaster
Noel, MO 64854

Once the cards arrive, the envelopes get stamped with one of four uniquely designed stamps, which changes the town name from Noel (the french pronunciation, no-ell), once a year, starting the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve to “The Christmas City.” That gets postmarked on the outside of the envelope with either a:

  • Red Christmas wreath
  • Green Christmas tree
  • Red and blue stamp bearing the town’s temporary holiday name, “The Christmas City.”

Afterward, those Christmas cards get postmarked and mailed to the final destination anywhere in the world, including Santa Claus’ North Pole, Alaska, address!

Mountain Charm in this Ozark Town

All of this is only possible with volunteers. The tiny Ozark mountain town has just over 2,000 people; without the townspeople volunteering, “The Christmas City” postmark wouldn’t be possible. 

Plan Your Trip to Noel, Missouri

If you can’t make it to The Christmas City this holiday season, but planning to visit in Spring 2023, then you need a comfy place to lay your head with plenty of outdoor activities. Your ideal vacation stay is at Lazy Days Resort and Campground. 

With twelve cabins onsite at the resort, there’s plenty to choose from for you and your family to enjoy a cabin experience. From the rustic stay of a single-room cabin for three to full-sized cabins that can sleep 10 to 30 people to a magical stay in a treehouse for twelve, there’s no shortage of options to choose from for your Noel, Missouri, vacation. 

Book your stay online today for the perfect Ozark cabin vacation for your entire family.

Craig SandersCabins, Noel MO

Treehouse Cabin Stay in Southwest Missouri Ozark Mountains

If you’ve ever imagined what sleeping in a treehouse cabin might be like, then allow us to give you a grand tour. After all, treehouses are all the rage nowadays, from vacation rentals to luxury treehouse retreats made famous by the Animal Planet series Treehouse Masters.

So what makes a better cabin rental than a treehouse rental? A treehouse that sleeps 12 with six full-size beds and two fully functional bathrooms, of course. But what could be more wonderful than having a treehouse stay in the heart of the Southwest Missouri Ozark Mountainss, along the Elk River near Pineville, Missouri?

Treehouse Expectations

When you think about your family’s expectations of what you want from a treehouse cabin stay, you might think of the necessities. But a treehouse should provide you with much more comfort and peace than other cabin stays. For example, the treehouse should have all the creature comforts you find at home.

  • Running water
  • Air conditioning
  • Coffee pot
  • Refrigerator with freezer
  • Kitchen with a full-sized stove
  • Ample deck space overlooking Elk River
  • Television cable
  • WiFi service

Essential Elements of Treehouse Cabin

The word treehouse implies it’s a structure that carries you away into the canopy of trees. But, a treehouse can only be classified as a tree-house if it has these essential elements. 

First and foremost, a treehouse must built around a tree. By default, it must come fully equipped with a unique access point, be it:

  • Traversing a rope bridge
  • Climbing a rock wall
  • Scaling a rope ladder
  • Ascending a spiral staircase

Access to any treehouse should transport you to another world, high above the world below. All while exploring a unique and magical experience of a log cabin seated in the trees.

Book Your Spring Stay NOW

There is no place to experience a magical fairytale treehouse cabin stay better than at the Lazy Days Resort & Campground. Call (417) 223-3498 to book your first Spring treehouse stay today!

Lazy Days Campground is located along the Elk River in southwest Missouri in McDonald County. The resort location is between the aptly named towns of Pineville and Noel, Missouri. To get there from Interstate 49, take exit 5 at mile marker 6.

Learn what past guests had to say about their stay at the Lazy Days Resort.

Craig SandersCabins, Noel MO, Pineville MO, Treehouse Cabin

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.

Craig SandersCabins, Pineville MO

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
Craig SandersFloat Trips, Haunted Float, Pineville MO, Uncategorized

Board Your Elk River Haunted Float at Lazy Days Campground and Resort

October is nearly upon us, which means ghosts, ghouls, and creatures of the night will run crazed every weekend along the Elk River from September 30 through Halloween Night on October 31. Hosting the first ever Elk River Haunted Float is Lazy Days Campground and Skeleton Acres, working in partnership with Gracie’s Canoe Camp.

Discover the Haunted Tales of the Elk River Watershed

If you’re hoping to discover the haunted tales of the legendary folklore on Missouri’s monster, Momo, book your haunted weekend stay today. Haunted float trips begin next Friday, September 30. The first float launches at 6:00 pm, and the last raft launches at 10:00 pm.

Camping space is also available for those choosing to stay overnight. Campers can begin arriving at 1:00 pm at Lazy Days Campground on float nights.

If you decide to purchase a VIP ticket, you’ll receive one overnight camping stay with access to electricity and water. RV hookups are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you decide to stay another night, talk with Lazy Days Campground’s ghostly host to find out if spooky space is available for an additional haunted night’s stay.

A weekend camping package is also available for those looking for longer fright nights on Friday and Saturday. However, only one haunted pass comes with the weekend camping package. You may purchase additional haunted event passes on location while staying at the Lazy Days Campground on Friday or Saturday.

Haunted Float Schedule

Tickets are on sale now for haunted night floats.

  • Friday, September 30
  • Saturday, October 1
  • Friday, October 7
  • Saturday, October 8
  • Friday, October 14
  • Saturday, October 15
  • Friday, October 21
  • Saturday, October 22
  • Friday, October 28
  • Saturday, October 29
  • Sunday, October 30
  • Monday, October 31

Halloween Haunted Activities

If you were born and raised in the four-state region of southwest Missouri, you know Missouri ghost lore is deeply rooted in our history dating back as early as the mid-eighteenth century. 

From haunting howls to wandering aberrations of the Ozark mountains, call Lazy Days Campground at (417) 223-3498 to book your haunted camping stay this Halloween season. Lazy Days Campground offers premier Elk River RVing, tent campsites, and cabin rentals.

While here, you can also partake in all the Halloween activities that include:

  • Haunted Hayrides
  • Spooky Float Trips
  • Tour the Haunted House
  • Walk a Terrifying Trail of Horrors

To get to Lazy Days Campground from Interstate 49, take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort sits nestled between the Ozark mountain towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Craig SandersCampsites, Float Trips, Haunted Float, Noel MO, RVing

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.

Craig SandersAutumn Floats, Canoes, Float Trips, Kayaks, Noel MO, Pineville MO, River Rafts

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.

Craig SandersCabins, Campsites, Canoes, Kayaks, Noel MO, Pineville MO, River Rafts, RVing