Platte River

The Platte River winds its way through northwest Missouri with a quiet kind of charm, offering plenty of paddling adventures all within 45 minutes of St. Joe. One of the coolest spots is the “Duck Head” loop at Platte Falls Conservation Area near Platte City—a 2.5 mile stretch where the river bends back on itself, letting you launch and take out from the exact same parking lot. Two concrete ramps, one simple loop, no shuttle needed. If you’re craving a longer float, you can head upstream to Sharps Station Access. There’s a solid ramp and lots of parking there, making it a great spot to start a day trip downstream. One thing to note - as the river rises and falls, there is occasionally a thick layer of mud that accumulates on the ramps so be prepared to potentially encounter that on put in or take out. Some extra water def comes in handy when taking out to give your feet a rinse. Thankfully, the fine folks at the Missouri Department of Conservation do a great job at blading the boat ramps off when mud accumulates, so this isn’t something you’ll encounter too often.

Head north of St. Joe and the river keeps the good vibes going. Rochester Falls Access near Savannah is a quiet place to launch, surrounded by rural beauty and tucked far enough away to feel like your own secret spot. Elrod Mill Access in Andrew County adds a splash of history—once home to a working mill in the 1800s, now a peaceful place to drop in and let the current take you. And if you’re looking for convenience close to town, Saxton Access in Buchanan County has parking and easy river access without the crowds. Whether you’re floating solo or bringing a buddy, the Platte delivers a little slice of river time that’s never too far from home.

For some INCREDIBLY detailed reading about the Platte River and more information, check out this report authored by the Missouri Department of Conservation.