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Black River, Lesterville (Park Bluffs Campground)

I took a kayak trip with my neighbor Sandy and we utilized the services of the Parks Bluff Campground in Lesterville, Reynolds County, Missouri, on July 12, 2023. We also ended our day with a quick hike around Elephant Rocks State Park. I did not record or photograph much at Elephant Rocks because I have visited there so many times and already recorded it. I have never floated down the Black River before, so I was excited for the new adventure. This canoe trip actually starts on the Middle Fork Black River and turns onto the Black River. The river was low and in a few places we did get stuck dragging the bottom of the river and had to either push our way out with the paddles or get up and walk the kayak. I did see an experienced group who seemed to know the river who knew exactly where to go to avoid dragging the bottom. Sometimes the bottom seemed so close that I was amazed that we were not dragging and still floating along. It felt like a rather safe river for families because most of the depth of the water was so shallow, at least at this time of the year and on this year where we have had drought in our State.

For a Wednesday in the middle of the week it felt like there was few spots of quiet time on the river compared to our float trip on the Current River (see Pulltite and Pulltite Spring & Cabin). There were a lot of access points from the road for day trippers. I would not want to be on the river on a weekend as I can only imagine how crowded the river. We decided to float the upper Black River because I had read a lot of complaints about the motor boaters on the lower Black River around and below Highway KK. It seems some boaters feel they have the right-of-way to the river with their motor boats and that floaters should get out of their way. Absolutely ludicrous, so I just avoided the area.

Our float trip was supposed to be 6 miles but it turned out to be about 5.4 miles. We wished we had leisured more because we arrive at the pullout around 1:45 p.m. and had to wait over an hour for the pickup. Pickup was between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. It seemed as if we were out in the middle of nowhere, but we knew better as we had seen people running or riding down a nearby road the entire time. If someone needed emergency help, it seemed as if services could get to you quickly which was a nice feeling.

We were pleased with the services at Parks Bluff Campground. No complaints at all. I have driven through that campground before scoping it out and this drive through seemed no different. I do not think I would hesitate to camp here.

Sandy took this photo of me and I was kind of glad for an action shot of me bending over hiding all my fatness!

This bridge is a popular place for people to park their vehicles and get in the water, as well as for kayakers, and we just wanted to get away from the crowds, on a Wednesday!