Owners: Armand Spurgin & Donna Smith
Operations Manager: Allen Bradley
We are family owned and operated and have been floating canoes on the Current River and Jacks Fork River for 3 generations, providing friendly, experienced and professional service. We are authorized concessioner in Missouri’s largest National Park, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Our rivers are as beautiful as they were 100 years ago.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park area to protect a river system. The Current and Jacks Fork rivers are two of the finest floating rivers you’ll find anywhere. Spring-fed, cold and clear they are a delight to canoe, swim, boat or fish. Besides these two famous rivers, the park is home to hundreds of freshwater springs, caves, trails and historic sites such as Alley Mill.
Windy’s Canoe and Tube Rental is an authorized concessioner of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, National Park Service, Department of Interior.
We are authorized within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways to provide canoe, kayak, raft, tube and johnboat rentals and shuttle service.
We are members of these associations and organizations:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windy’s licensed?
All commercial outfitters are licensed by The National Park Service.
How long has Windy’s been in business?
Windy’s was established in 1969 by owners Windy and Ruthie Smith. Currently owned by Armand Spurgin and Donna Smith.
Why should I choose Windy’s for my floating adventure?
Experience. We are one of the largest and most experienced livery outfitters in the state. We host approximately 20,000 guests per season. We have rented to more than 500,000 people since 1969. Our company goal is to provide the highest quality trip available at competitive prices. We are active members of several professional trade organizations including Eminence Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association, and Ozark Heritage Association, helping to set the highest of standards for outfitters in the state. We have a very high percentage rate of return guests every year who were completely satisfied with their experience with Windy’s.
Can I float to/from my campsite if I’m staying on the river? Yes, you can launch from, or float to your camp, just specify when you’re booking.
I’m in charge of a Group Float, how do I pull that together? If you’re in charge of finding a float trip for your group, we’ve got you covered. Call Windy’s at 573-226-3404 and we will set up your trip, and send you a link. Next, you send that link to your friends and they can choose their vessel, pay and confirm their own reservation. Your friends pay for their own boat, and the group is all under your name.
What size are your boats?
Canoes: 17 ft Discovery 169.
Single Kayaks: 12 ft sit on top Jackson Riveria Kayaks.
Tandem Kayaks: 15 ft sit on top Jackson Kayaks.
Rafts: Vanguard or Star, 12 foot, 6 man rafts.
What if I’ve never floated before or I can’t swim?
We have a wide range of trips suitable for all ages and levels of experience. We also provide mandatory life jackets. The life jackets are designed to keep your head above water in the event that you end up outside of the craft.
Would you shuttle me if I have my own boat?
We also offer personal boat shuttles for folks who want to use their own water craft. Our insurance does not allow us to move your vehicle, but we can make any arrangement around that. Whether you need to be taken to your put-in, or picked up at your take-out, or both. After booking, we will contact you for specifics.
Personal shuttles can also be added to a group rental float at the time of Booking. Combination Float and Shuttle are common and we are happy to accomodate.
Could I get hurt rafting?
In any outdoor adventure activity involving risk and inherent dangers, there is always the possibility of injury. We take many precautions to minimize the risk, resulting in very few minor injuries each season. There is a low potential for injury on our mild to moderate trips. The potential for injury increases with the level of difficulty of the trip.
How do I choose the best rafting trip for me?
Call our office and let our reservation assistants help you determine which trip would be the most appropriate for you or your group.
Consider the following when planning your trip:
The age range and ability level of the group
The physical condition of the group members
The length of the trip: Half Day, Full Day or Multi-Day
Driving distance to the trip departure office
Departure times and return times.
When is the floating season?
The Jacks Fork and Current river season runs from April 1st through October 15th. Off-season floats may be arranged by contacting the Windy’s Office at 573-226-3404
When and where do we meet?
Check your trip of choice for meeting and departure times. Your meeting location and time will also be on your reservation confirmation. When in doubt, call us.
Are life jackets provided?
Yes. We provide the highest quality Coast Guard approved life jackets available. We have life jackets to fit almost any size individual. We require that they be worn at all times while on the river.
What should I wear and what should I bring?
Wear comfortable, quick-drying clothing (swimsuit, shorts), and protective footgear (wet shoes or sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet). We also recommend sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, float straps for sunglasses or keys, waterproof cell phone case, and a fleece or performance fabric shirt on cooler days. We recommend bringing a dry change of clothes for after the trip.
Where do we change clothes?
Windy’s has changing rooms at our office. Our facilities are clean and comfortable and help to make your experience the best that it can be.
What if it rains?
If you don’t like the weather in Missouri, just wait 10 minutes!
We get a lot of calls asking about river levels. We use an app called: Rivercast and it is very accurate. You can get it for Android or Apple. Download it and you won’t have to wonder anymore. Improved River Level and Precipitation Information Available at The USGS and the National Weather Service have recently improved the way river level information is delivered. Links to USGS gauge stations are listed on the NPS website but some new services are now available:
USGS WaterAlert
The U.S. Geological Survey WaterAlert service sends email or text messages when certain parameters (such as gauge height) measured by a USGS data-collection station exceed user-definable thresholds. Go to this website and select the gauge and gauge height and you will receive a message when the gauge is above that level. Click here to visit the site…
USGS StreaMail
The USGS StreaMail system provides a method for you to query a USGS gauging site via email, cell phone text message, or handheld device for gauge height and streamflow. Send your request to StreaMail and in a few minutes you will get a reply showing the latest river stage and streamflow. If you program the email address in your contact list all you have to do is type in the gauge number and send. Click here for instructions…
Current and Jacks Fork USGS gauge numbers for use with StreaMail:
07064440 (Current River at Montauk State Park)
07064533 (Current River above Akers)
07067000 (Current River at Van Buren)
07067500 (Big Spring near Van Buren)
07065200 (Jacks Fork near Mountain View)
07065495 (Jacks Fork at Alley Spring)
07066000 (Jacks Fork at Eminence)
Are reservations required?
Advance reservations are strongly recommended to ensure the trip of your choice. Last minute reservations and walk-ins are welcome on a space-available basis. Call our office for group rates (10 or more people) and special quotes. We reserve the right to alter your scheduled trip if river conditions prevent us from running certain sections. Minimum ages may vary with changing river conditions.
Is a deposit required?
We encourage all floaters to make reservations to ensure availability. We require a 25% deposit at time of booking and remaining balance is due 2 days prior to your reservation date. Reservations are recommended to allow us to serve you better.
Please review all FAQ’s to ensure you understand all requirements prior to booking. If you have any questions, please call 573-226-3404 or float@windyscanoe.com.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
We require at least 48 hours notice of cancellation. If you cancel a reservation more than 2 days prior to your reservation, you will receive a full refund minus 5% handling fee.
If you cancel a reservation 2 days or less prior to your reservation date we will charge a 30% cancellation fee.
In the event that it is raining the day of your float by noon or the river is determined too hazardous for canoe, kayak or tube floating by the National Park Service, deposits may be refunded upon request. If rain stops or the river is floatable at noon, we cannot refund deposit.
In the event a canoe, kayak, or raft is lost or damaged beyond normal usage, repair expenses from $25.00 to replacement costs of the vessel will be charged. Lost or damaged gear replacement costs are $15.00 per paddle or lifejacket.
Is there a river curfew?
Yes! For your safety and ours please be at your pickup location no later than the following times.
• 6 PM Sunday through Friday
• 7 PM on Saturday
If you are floating Alley Spring to Two Rivers, you will have a check point half way down the river, or your trip will be ending. Circle B Campground is the check point, these are the time requirements:
• 1 PM Sunday through Friday
• 2 PM on Saturday
Can we bring our pets along for the float?
Windy’s does allow pets on float trips and in our transport vehicles. However, it is the owner’s responsibility to control their pet at all times. Owners are responsible for following all leash and safety requirements prescribed by the National Park Service.
How do I get back to my car?
Windy’s will provide transportation from your lodging/office to the river, and back to the lodging/office where your vehicle is parked following the trip.
Licenses, Permits, and Professional Associations?
Windy’s Canoe Rental is authorized within Ozark National Scenic Riverways to provide canoe, kayak, raft, tube and johnboat rentals and shuttle service.
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Special Thanks for Your Photography
Windy’s would like to thank the following photographers for generously providing content for our new website: Sees The Moment Photography; Tim Griffin Photography, David Cady, Dan Lamping, Laura Thake, and all of You! Keep sending your best family photos because we will always be updating the website.