The Jacks Fork River
Float Trip:
The upper Jacks Fork River is one of Missouri’s wildest and most scenic streams.
It’s deep valley extends about 30 miles from the Prongs to Alley Spring. In April and May this section provides floaters beautiful class 2 water. Due to lack of access, it is the most primitive of rivers in this region. From Alley Spring to Two Rivers is a beautiful class 1 river and is floatable year-round. Fishing on the Jacks Fork is excellent. The 25 miles of river from 17 Bridge to Hwy 106 Bridge at Alley Spring, is best. We offer 20 different trips on the Jacks Fork River depending on the water levels.
All boaters are offered a trash bag to help us keep the river in the most pristine condition possible. We hope you’ll help by packing it in, and packing it out.
- Canoes: 17 ft Discovery 169: $55 including shuttle.
- Single Kayaks: 12 ft sit on top Jackson Kayaks: $40 including shuttle.
- Tandem Kayaks: 15 ft sit on top Jackson Kayaks: $55 including shuttle.
- Rafts: Vanguard or Star 12 ft, 6 man rafts: $180 on Saturday, $150 Sunday-Friday including shuttle.
- Blue inner tube: $20
- Cooler tube: $20
- Call for multi-day pricing
Please follow Windy’s curfew hours and plan your day to be off the Jacks Fork River by 6pm Sunday through Friday, and 7pm on Saturday.
Planning a Group Float?
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 boats, and the group is all under your name!
Personal Boat Shuttle:
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.
Jacks Fork River Floats
The Jacks Fork River
Multi-Day Trips
Overnight/multi-day trips are a great way to turn the clock back to a simpler time. Floating down the river at your own pace where you will experience nature, sleep on gravel or sand bars and see the brilliant Ozark stars at night providing a relaxing departure from the rigors of hectic day to day life. Guests who take multi-day trips are encouraged to call the main office to set departure and return times and to discuss all items needed for these trips.
2 day trip:
Bay Creek to Two Rivers
22 miles
The Bay Creek to Two Rivers overnight trip departures leave on the hour, travelers needing alternate departure times may contact the Windy’s office. Windy’s personnel will pick you up at your lodging or parking area and transport you to the river access point.
Bay Creek to Two Rivers float is a seasonal float available dependent on water levels.
Bay Creek will be your put-in point for this 22-mile float on the Jacks Fork River. Just downstream you’ll find Fish Trap Hole. The Ozark mountain streams are among the best in Missouri for fishing. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass and walleye are some of the 93 known species of fish that swim the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers.
A favorite spot here in the deepening river after a sharp right turn through Grandma Rocks. Alley Spring, bridge marks the completion of the first 1/3 of your trip. Alley Spring, the tenth largest spring in the state. Horse Hollow is 1.3 miles downstream on your left. The old Salem, Winona and Southern RR used to run up this hollow and continue up Sinking Branch after following the Jacks Fork from Mahan’s Creek. At 4 miles, Mahan’s Creek is on your right. Site of old RR crossing just above the mouth of the creek.
Once you reach the Eminence bridge you have completed 2/3 or your trip. The remainder of the trip will be between Eminence and Two Rivers. Eminence to Two Rivers is a gentle section of the Jacks Fork River. Four miles downstream on your right is Shawnee Creek. A little further downstream is the Little Shawnee Creek on your right.
As your trip comes to an end, you will see the Current River to your left as it meets the Jacks Fork. You should then look for Windy’s Personnel at the first landing on the right, just past the confluence. Upon disembarking your vessel at this location, Windy’s employees will shuttle you back to your lodging or vehicle in one of our buses or vans.
Return trips from Two Rivers to Eminence do not run on a set schedule. Visitors will be returned as soon as possible but a short wait should be expected once arriving. Windy’s personnel arrive at Two Rivers for evening shifts at 1 pm. Visitors planning on arriving before this should make prior arrangements with the main office.
2 day trip:
17 Bridge to Alley Spring
24.2 miles
If you are looking for the perfect overnight trip this is it!
The Highway 17 bridge at Buck Hollow will be your put-in spot for this 24.2 mile float on the Jacks Fork River. Windy’s staff will pick you up at your lodging location and transport you to the put in location.
Spring is the best time of year for this float. Beginning pickup times and ending pickup times should be scheduled with the main office.
The scenic river-way is at its wildest and most scenic from the 17 bridge to Alley Spring. Three miles downstream Blue Spring comes in from a cave on the left nearly hidden from river views by boulders. The narrow run just below the spring may be difficult.
Jam Up Bluff and Cave is one of the most spectacular cave entrances in the state. The cave may be explored by daylight.
Rhymer’s Access is the site of an old resort. There is a long, high bluff called Chalk Bluff that comes into view at the beginning of a sharp left bend in the river after you pass Still House Hollow. Chalky limestone and dolomite make up most of the river bluffs.
Bay Creek will be your next mile marker and just downstream you’ll find Fish Trap Hole. The Ozark mountain streams are among the best in Missouri for fishing. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass and walleye are some of the 93 known species of fish that swim the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers.
A favorite spot here in the deepening river after a sharp right turn through Grandma Rocks. Alley Spring, just after the bridge is the tenth largest spring in the state.
Your ending point for this trip will be ¼ below the bridge at Alley Springs.
2 day trip:
Eminence to Log Yard
25.1 miles
Put-in at Eminence for this 25.1 mile float on the Jacks Fork floating to Log Yard on the Current River gives you a taste of both rivers.
Drop off point will be just downstream from the Highway 19 bridge.
Four miles downstream on your right is Shawnee Creek with access and camping. A little further downstream is the Little Shawnee Creek on your right. The Current River will come in on the left to meet the Jacks Fork.
Your journey continues where most end. Passing through Coot Chute, the water flows faster through a narrow course at the foot of Coot Mountain, but novice floaters still find it safe.
Martin Bluff parallels the river on the north all the way to the campsites at Goose Bay Creek. Abruptly diverted left by an outcropping of pinkish granite (rhodolite) the river slows to a large pool.
Owls Bend sweeps south in a wide arc where barred owls and screech owls perch high on the bluffs. Blue Spring is just ahead, the spring waters shielded from bright sun and skylight by trees overhanging cliffs, takes on a deep blue tint. 72 million gallons flow through daily. Follow a short trail to the spring, one of the four largest springs along the river-ways.
Beginning pick-up times and ending pick-up times must be scheduled with main office.
2 day trip:
Bay Creek to Powder Mill
26.9 miles
Bay Creek will be your put-in point for this 26.9 mile float beginning on the Jacks Fork River, and ending on the Current River.
Just downstream you’ll find Fish Trap Hole. The Ozark mountain streams are among the best in Missouri for fishing. Smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass and walleye are some of the 93 known species of fish that swim the Jacks Fork and Current Rivers.
A favorite spot here in the deepening river after a sharp right turn through Grandma Rocks. Alley Spring, just after the bridge is your midway point to Eminence. Alley Spring State Park, the tenth largest spring in the state. There is an old mill, cabins, campground and a take-out.
Horse Hollow is 1.3 miles downstream on your left. The old Salem, Winona and Southern RR used to run up this hollow and continue up Sinking Branch after following the Jacks Fork from Mahan’s Creek. At 4 miles, Mahan’s Creek is on your right.
Eminence to Two Rivers take-out is a gentle section of the Jacks Fork River.
Four miles downstream on your right is Shawnee Creek. A little further downstream is the Little Shawnee Creek on your right. Two Rivers is just ahead where the Jacks Fork joins the Current River.
Your journey continues where most end. Passing through Coot Chute, the water flows faster through a narrow course at the foot of Coot Mountain, but novice floaters still find it safe.
Martin Bluff parallels the river on the north all the way to the campsites at Goose Bay Creek. Abruptly diverted left by an outcropping of pinkish granite (rhodolite) the river slows to a large pool.
Owls Bend is near your take-out point of Powder Mill. Beginning and ending pickup times must be scheduled with main office.