Bourbeuse River Paddle and Picnic
This is a 1-day paddle from Uhlemeyer access to Robertsville State Park boat ramp. We will have a potluck afterward at Robertsville State Park.
“Although the Gasconade has a reputation for being crooked, the meandering of the Bourbeuse is more extreme. It winds for nearly 100 miles with an airplane distance of only 27 miles. This is a relatively small, slow river which is not as clear as many of the streams farther south.” (A Paddler’s Guide to Missouri) It is one of 2 major Tributaries of the Meramec River, the other being Big River. “It provides some rather good bass fishing, has many picturesque features and is surprisingly little cut up by roads crossing it. It is seldom floatable in summer above Bartel Bend (Hwy. H) and becomes rather “civilized” beyond the first Union Bridge.” (Float Missouri) Anyone can paddle the Bourbeuse.
Meeting Location: Uhlemeyer Access (Exit I-44 at Route 0 and go south to the access, which is immediately to the west.)
Water classification:
Class I: Fast-moving water with riffles and small waves; few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training; risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy.
Skill level required:
New Beginner (paddler with little to no skills.)
Type of boat required: any
How to dress: Dress for immersion. A dry suit or wetsuit is needed or change of clothing in a drybag. No cotton.
Participants must bring: (Take this off the Request form for STL Canoe & Kayak Club trip/event.)
- A complete change of clothes in a dry bag. (if not wearing a dry suit.)
- water
- lunch
- U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket)
- “pealess” whistle
- food for potluck afterward if you want to participate
For a list of items to bring that might be helpful for new paddlers, here is a link: Kayaking Gear for Every Trip
Minors are welcome on this trip if a parent or guardian attends.
Please check out the Club Sanctioned Trips forum for additional information as it is posted, or to ask questions or post comments. Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club
Risks involved: Paddlesports and related ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH. These Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating, leading, or helping in the Activity, and the condition in which the Activity takes place, There may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time.
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Tip leader: (Include phone number)
To attend this trip/event:
You must reserve a ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip leader with important information they need for safety and communication, and information the club needs for ACA reporting.
If you get a ticket and then cannot go for any reason, let the Trip Leader know.
- If you are an ACA member, please make sure you have an annual waiver signed on their website and have linked your account with St. Louis Canoe and Kayak Club. You must have re-signed this waiver since January 1, 2026 because they have updated their website. Here are instructions: Linking your ACA account to St. Louis Canoe and Kayak..docx
- If you are not an ACA member (American Canoe Association), you will be asked to sign a paper waiver from ACA at the meet-up location. Here is the waiver to read before attending the trip: aca_waiver__release_of_liab
Ticket sales end Nov. 12 at 9:00 pm