Lazy Days

Resort & Campground on Elk River

Tag: river float trips

Tag: river float trips

Differences Between Missouri Vacation Homes and Missouri Cabin Rentals are Resort Amenities

When planning a vacation in Missouri, finding the perfect accommodation is crucial. Missouri travelers often consider two popular options: vacation homes and cabin rentals. While both offer a unique and comfortable stay, it’s essential to understand the differences between renting a Missouri vacation home and staying in a Missouri Cabin Rental.

However, there are some critical differences between the two options. Missouri vacation homes are typically more challenging to locate than resort destinations and offer fewer amenities.

Understanding these commonalities and differences can help you in your selection process. Although options promise an enjoyable stay amidst the beauty of this Midwestern state, resort cabin stays offer greater access to activities and attractions.

Amenities and Facilities

When planning a vacation, one crucial consideration is the amenities and facilities offered by different resort campgrounds. In comparison, cabins also have the same creature comforts found in vacation homes, such as:

  • Fully Equipped Kitchens
  • Privacy
  • Fireplace and Firepit

Vacation homes are known for their extensive amenities that provide a home-away-from-home experience. One standout feature is the fully equipped kitchen. Kitchens often come with modern appliances and ample counter space, allowing guests to prepare meals without dining out.

Cabin rentals at resort locations also offer unique facilities that add to the overall comfort of the stay. Like vacation homes, cabin rentals can provide full-sized kitchens with modern appliances. Another popular feature unique to cabin rentals is the inclusion of privacy decks, a greater variety of bedrooms per cabin, and access to onsite activities, like float trips, canoeing, and tandem kayaking.

Fireplaces and firepits are another amenity that both vacation homes and cabin rentals often provide. Nothing beats cozying up before a crackling fire on a fantastic summer evening or enjoying its warmth after a long day exploring nearby cave attractions. Fireplaces create an inviting ambiance that adds to the overall comfort and charm.

Size and Capacity

When planning a vacation in Missouri, it’s essential to consider the size and capacity of the accommodation for your group. Vacation home sizes and cabin rental capacities vary, so it’s essential to determine the ideal accommodation based on the number of beds per bedroom as well as the number of bathrooms.

But a Missouri cabin rental can come in various sizes, ranging from cozy cabins with a single bedroom to spacious lodges with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. The number of beds per bedroom will directly impact how many people can sleep comfortably in a cabin rental, which is less likely in a vacation rental because of its limitations in beds.

Each bedroom in a vacation home typically accommodates two guests per room. At the same time, cabin rental locations, like the ones at Lazy Days Resort, have twin-sized and queen-sized bunk beds in a single room, increasing the capacity for the number of guests.

Make an Informed Decision for Your Perfect Missouri Cabin Getaway Experience

When planning a cabin getaway in Missouri, you can make an informed decision that is crucial to ensure a perfect experience. One highly recommended option for a memorable stay is Lazy Days Resort & Campground, located between Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Lazy Days Resort offers a range of amenities and activities to cater to different guest preferences and group sizes. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature or a fun-filled getaway with exciting outdoor activities, Lazy Days Resort has something for everyone.

By choosing Lazy Days Resort, you can enjoy the beauty of the Missouri countryside while accessing modern conveniences. The Resort provides well-maintained cabins equipped with comfortable furnishings and essential amenities. Additionally, they offer various accommodation options to suit different group sizes and budgets.

Take advantage of the onsite activities to enhance your cabin getaway experience at Lazy Days Resort. That includes river float trips, day hikes along scenic trails, or relaxing by the campfire under the starry night sky.By considering all these factors and selecting Lazy Days Resort & Campground as your cabin destination in Missouri, you’re ensuring the perfect getaway experience tailored to your preferences. Booking your stay at Lazy Days Resort is easy with their convenient online booking tool for cabin rentals, river floats, campsites for RVs, and tent camping availability.

Craig SandersCabins, Campsites, Canoes, Float Trips, Kayaks, Noel MO, Pineville MO, River Float, RVing, Southwest Missouri

Choosing A River Float Craft for You and Your Fellow Floaters

Whether you’re a novice river rafter or an expert river kayaker, knowing which river float craft is suitable can be a big decision for yourself and your fellow floaters. That’s where this helpful tool can help you make the best selection when booking your next Elk River or Big Sugar float trip.

You’ll discover the specific differences between three float vessel options commonly available to choose from when you book your stay at a Noel, MO, campground on Elk River.

  • River raft
  • Individual kayak
  • Tandem kayak
  • Multi-person canoe

Elk River and Big Sugar Creek

There are some distinct differences between Elk River and Big Sugar Creek.

The Elk River is an ideal family-friendly river with few rapids and fewer river obstacles. Presently running at a depth of 4.28 feet, making its flow rate suitable and manageable for river floaters seeking to cool off. On the other hand, the Big Sugar Creek categorizes below a class I rapid, and at certain times of the year, it ranks as a class II.

The Big Sugar is running at a depth between 3.90 and 5.88 feet. Although considered low in some areas, the chances of a watercraft dragging the river bottom or having to portage are low.

River Raft

There are two standard river rafts for any Elk River float trip. There is a 12-13 foot raft that seats six people comfortably. You can also select a 14-15 foot raft for 8-people. Both crafts are well suited for a gentle float down Elk River with little paddling and negotiating required. 

Individual Kayak

If you are one for individual sports, a personal kayak is ideal for you or anyone paddling alongside you down the Elk River or the Big Sugar Creek. Bound to deliver a unique kayaking experience to test your reflexes and challenge you with a good cardio workout.

Tandem Kayak

Two-person kayaks, also known as tandem kayaks, are an excellent choice for those who play well on a team. You’ll work together to paddle to increase or slow your speed as a team. The perfect watercraft for any couples weekend in a Noel, Missouri, campground.

Tandem kayaks perform well on Elk River and Big Sugar Creek this time of year.

Multi-Person Canoe

Most canoes can be paddled down river easily by one or two people. But most canoes can hold up to three people comfortably. These river vessels are superior in lightweight aluminum construction that shine in paddle control down Elk River or the Big Sugar Creek.

Book Your Elk River RVing Campsite

If you’re ready for a relaxing weekend stay, Lazy Days Resort and Campground is a one-minute drive southwest of Interstate 49. Take exit 5 at mile marker 6. The resort is conveniently nestled between the towns of Noel and Pineville, Missouri.

Lazy Days in Noel, MO, is the premier rental for river float trips. Call Lazy Days to book your Elk River RVing site now! 

Discover what other guests had to say about Lazy Days Resort.

Craig SandersCampsites, Canoes, Float Trips, Kayaks, Noel MO, River Rafts, RVing

River Float Essentials for Your Elk River Float Trip

If you live in the four states region of southwest Missouri, you are probably familiar with the leading summer activity of river float trips. It’s a tradition and right of passage for many families and young people across the four states.

Of all the summer activities, river float trips rank high on the list of priorities for staying cool during summer. But before launching off in your favorite float vessel, consider all the river float essentials you need to pack into the craft as you head downriver.

Float Trip Essentials

While you might not think you would need to pack a lot for a float trip downriver. What more is there to ask for on a hot summer day in July than the cool easy flowing currents of an Ozark river.

Honestly, there is a lot to consider, especially if your float trip lasts four hours. Of course, there are lots of things to consider in a self-guided float trip, but at the same time, you don’t have to take the kitchen sink with you either.

Here is a short list of “must haves” in your river float device. 

  1. Watercraft patch kit
  2. Sunblock and Sunscreen
  3. Quick dry clothing
  4. Sunglasses and straps
  5. Food and water
  6. First Aid Kit
  7. Dry Sack
  8. Ziploc bags
  9. Disposable waterproof camera

River Float Craft 

Depending on the type of float vessel, you may need to ask the rental company if they supply an air pump and raft patch kit, just in case anything goes wrong. Many float trips in southwest Missouri are self-guided nontechnical rafting trips. That means gentle flowing rivers are calm enough that the class rating is below a class-I river.

Sunblock and Sunscreen

Here’s an important one, protecting your skin from the sun. That also includes protecting your eyes, ears, nose, lips, and head. You want to keep everything well-covered while having fun in the sun. Even a river seemingly shrouded in tree cover can reflect 25% or more UV light off the water’s surface. Of course, you can always try an article of UPF-rated clothing too.

River Clothing Gear

UPF clothing is ideal for any outdoor activity for skin pigmentations–light or dark. The clothing works to filter out ultraviolet rays, A and B. Otherwise known as UVA and UVB light.

Quick drying layers of clothes are an absolute must when river rafting. From swimming suits to river footwear, it’s best to dry quickly after a day on the river. That way, you don’t need to carry a towel, and you don’t have to try and keep dry while on the river.

If possible, steer clear of cotton clothing, opting for layers with a wicking material that will pull moisture away from your core and dry faster. Ideal river clothing will also include zippered pockets to carry the all-important state identification, keeping it from getting lost in the drink.

Don’t forget your sunglasses and straps; you don’t want those expensive UV polarizing shades to be lost to the river forever. But, it can help to keep your eyes protected from all those ultraviolet rays. 

If you grew up floating the river of Missouri, you know they can be pretty shallow this time of year, so proper river footwear. If your river vessel is a raft, neoprene booties are a solid choice, which cling to a wet raft better than many other shoes. 

Items to Consider

You might ask the boat rental people if the vessels come equipped with a first aid kit, just in case anyone scraps a shin.

Be sure to drink responsibly. Always remember to bring along a few Ziploc bags for trash. The more we all do our part to keep our rivers clean, the more beautiful the scenery and the float for everyone.

Smoother Sailing Tips

Utility bungee cords are an excellent form of insurance to keep your ice, water, and food contained within the ice chest. 

Lastly, who doesn’t want to record all the river memories? Most of us are always trying to catch that next big viral image or video to post on our social media sites, so grab an inexpensive disposable waterproof camera to hold onto to capture those precious moments.

Book Your Elk River or Big Sugar Float Trip

If you’re ready to cool off, book a float trip down Elk River or the Big Sugar at the premier rental location for rafts, kayaks, and canoes at Lazy Days Campground in Noel, MO.

Lazy Days Resort is easy to get to from interstate 49. They are located a short one-minute drive southwest of I-49, take exit 5 at mile marker 6.

To book your campsite now, Lazy Days today!

Also take a moment to read what our recent guests had to say.

Craig SandersCabins, Campsites, Float Trips, Noel MO, RVing