THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Park your rig on a gravel bar peninsula and step straight onto a swim beach; Wayside 50 AMP RV Site pairs full hookups with easy float access on the Elk River. First-come, first-served sites, showers, and pull-through options make this a practical stop for families and river-goers passing through Noel, Missouri.
Park your rig on a gravel bar peninsula and step straight onto a swim beach; Wayside 50 AMP RV Site pairs full hookups with easy float access on the Elk River. First-come, first-served sites, showers, and pull-through options make this a practical stop for families and river-goers passing through Noel, Missouri.
Book with Elk River Floats
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Elk River Floats · Noel, Missouri
On the banks of the Elk River near Noel, Missouri, the Wayside 50 AMP RV Site turns a simple overnight into a low-key river escape. Located at Wayside Campground, this gravel-bar peninsula campground puts RVs within easy steps of a wide swim beach, slow river channel ideal for floating, and open campsites where you choose your own spot on arrival. The setting is defined by low bluffs, gravel bars of rounded pebbles and sand, and a mix of sycamore and cottonwood that shade tent pockets and riverside picnic areas. This is not a full-service resort; it’s a practical, river-first campground built around access: 50AMP and 30AMP electrical hookups with water at each site, pull-through sites for larger rigs, showers and trash service. Sites are offered first-come, first-served and stays are limited to up to six nights—check-in at 11AM and check-out at 10AM—though a day pass can extend your departure to 6PM. Groups can bring up to ten people per site. The campground’s open layout makes it quick to walk to the swim beach or to launch a float trip that returns to camp, so you’re always anchored to water-based fun. Why visitors keep coming to Wayside is the easy, flexible feel. Float trips here are casual affairs—tube, kayak, or SUP—and the river’s gentle current is ideal for families and mixed-ability groups. The gravel bar peninsula creates a beach-like edge that warms in sun and offers natural launch points for swimmers. Birdlife like belted kingfishers and herons frequent the shallows, and turtles sun on exposed logs. The geology is simple but enjoyable: rounded river stones and sand deposited by seasonal flows, framed by Missourian limestone bluffs upriver. Practical notes: all guests must register at the office to receive wristbands before entering the campground. Pack layers for cooler mornings, reef-safe sunscreen for long days on the water, and a shore-friendly anchor for your float craft. Because sites are first-come, arrive early on busy summer weekends to secure a pull-through if you need one. Wayside is a straightforward chapter in Missouri river recreation: a place where the river is front and center, hookups make camping comfortable, and the float-and-float-back rhythm defines your day. For travelers passing through Noel, the camp balances low-effort river access with the simple comforts RVers expect—electric, water, showers, and a swim beach that keeps everyone happy.
easy.
Up to 6 nights.
Suitable for average fitness; requires only short walks between rigs and the beach
Check-in is 11AM and check-out is 10AM; a day pass can extend checkout to 6PM.
Yes—50AMP and 30AMP electric and water are available at sites as listed.
Stays are allowed for up to six nights per booking at this campground.
Sites are first-come, first-served; visitors choose their site upon arrival.
Yes—showers and trash services are available on site.
The listing does not specify a pet policy; contact the Wayside Campground office on arrival to confirm any restrictions.
The Elk River corridor has long supported local river communities; Noel developed as a small service town for river traffic and recreation in the region.
Limit stays and respect fire rules; pack out all trash and avoid disturbing riverbanks and native vegetation on the gravel bar to protect habitat.
Elk River Floats operates in Noel, Missouri and offers float trip add-ons paired with cabin lodging. The company lists cabin options sized for different groups: two-person, four-person, six-person, eight-person, ten-person, twelve-person, and larger cabins for groups of 16 to 25. Named accommodations include the Caboose Cabin, Engelmann Spruce Lodge, and Boxcar Bunk 2. The Engelmann Spruce Lodge is available for nightly rentals for groups up to ten. The Boxcar Bunk 2 accommodates up to six guests. The Caboose Cabin is a single-cabin lodging option. Float trips are available primarily as six-mile river floats; select two-person options offer either a six-mile or a twelve-mile journey. Rentable watercraft include rafts, canoes, and kayaks, giving guests choices to match group size and preferred craft. Many cabin listings appear as float trip add-ons, so visitors can combine overnight stays with daytime river activities. Trip pages list minimum group counts for cabin sizes and clarify which watercraft are available for each float length, helping planners confirm capacity, craft selection, and float distance when arranging lodging and river outings in Noel.
Book with Elk River Floats