8-Mile Meramec River Float at Skinner's Landing — Family-Friendly Rafts & Kayaks

Skinner's Landing sits on the Upper Meramec River near Leasburg, Missouri, and delivers an easygoing eight-mile float that reads like a field guide to Ozark stream country. Launching from Ozark Outdoors and returning to the Main Beach, paddlers, canoeists, and raft parties drift past limestone bluffs, small caves, and broad gravel bars beneath oak and sycamore canopy. The current here is gentle—wider than the Huzzah or Courtois—so navigation is forgiving, with long runs of slow water punctuated by short riffles and quiet side channels. Choose a raft for a full-day, social trip (rafter times average about an hour per mile) or opt for a canoe or kayak to cover the route in five to seven hours and lean into personal paddling rhythm. The run is family-friendly: children are welcome, though note life vest policies (guests under 13 must wear vests; children under 50 pounds should bring a USCG-approved vest). Ozark Outdoors staffs a shuttle from the Main Beach Sail Shades to the Skinner's Landing put-in; check in at Meramec Mercantile at least 45-60 minutes before departure. Geology takes center stage here. The Meramec cuts through Mississippian limestone, exposing ledges, pocket caves, and fossil-rich shelves. Gravel bars form natural rest stops where small groups can beach, jump, wade, and picnic. Birdlife is active along the banks—kingfishers, herons, and mergansers hunt the shallows—and deer and turkey sometimes watch floaters from bluffs above. Plan water and sun protection: cool mornings and hot afternoons are common between May and September (the season listed for this float), and staff may move guests to alternate routes if debris or low flow poses a hazard. Ozark Outdoors issues rain checks only under sustained morning rain; otherwise floats run. Note the “no glass or styrofoam” rule and respect carry-in, carry-out practices to preserve the river. This float is a solid introduction to Meramec paddling for multigenerational groups, casual anglers, and photographers alike. Bring a small cooler (under 52 quarts), a secure dry bag for electronics, and a sense of patience—the river sets the pace. Endpoints at Ozark Outdoors return you to parking, rental gear, and a chance to book another trip on the Meramec, Huzzah, or Courtois. For accessible, scenic day-long river time within easy reach of St. Louis-area weekenders, Skinner's Landing is a reliably scenic option that shows the limestone heart of the Ozarks without technical whitewater or long portages. Trips launch hourly from early morning—rafs and boats typically depart between 8 a.m. and noon, while kayaks and canoes also have put-ins through 1 p.m.—and tickets are handled at Meramec Mercantile; ranges in cost vary by vessel and party size ($45–$450). Arrive early, hydrate, and leave no trace to keep this river open for future floats. Always.