Jack’s Fork Trip

We will be paddling Jack’s Fork both Saturday and Sunday, and base camping Saturday night.

The Jacks Fork is a great Class I river with a moderate gradient (average about 7.1 fpm) and typical Ozark abundance of gorgeous rock formations and plant life that accentuates it. The Jacks Fork could be a Norman Rockwell painting of Americana. It offers runs of several distances, from short trips to multiple day expeditions that tour the river from The Prongs to the confluence of the Current River east of Eminence.

We can hike up to Jammed up Cave on Saturday

Meeting Location: Rymer’s Campground

Camping options: You can camp at Rhymers Campground, which is primitive camping, and first come basis. Or you can camp at Ally Springs with reservations www recreation.gov

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.

Possible hazards or difficult sections of water paddled (other hazards may also be encountered on the trip): 

Jack’s Fork is a windy little river with swift current if the water level is up. You may encounter some obstacles in the water and some strainers.

Skill level required:

Beginner (paddler who has a proficient forward stroke, knows other basic strokes, and can maneuver their boat in Class 1 moving water.)

Type of boat required: plastic boats.

Participants must bring:  

1. lunch and drinks for each day on the river
2. U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket)
3. “pealess” whistle 
4. bug spray
5. sunscreen
6. camping gear and food.

For a list of items to bring that might be helpful for new paddlers, here is a link: Kayaking Gear for Every Trip

How to dress: Dress for immersion with a change of clothing in a drybag.  No cotton. If wearing sandals, they should have back straps.

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: Dave Haessig (314-304-7970)

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 purchase a ticket for this trip but decide you cannot attend, PLEASE contact the trip leader to let them 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