Ozark Float Trips Near Fort Leonard Wood: Your Guide to the Big Piney & Gasconade Rivers

By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: 8/3/26 | Last updated: 8/3/26

Two of the best float rivers in the Missouri Ozarks run right through Pulaski County — the Big Piney and the Gasconade — and both are within easy reach of Fort Leonard Wood. The Big Piney flows through the hamlet of Devil’s Elbow before joining the Gasconade north of the post; the Gasconade winds through limestone bluffs and old-growth forest on its way to the Missouri River. Between them, they cover every kind of float from a casual 3-mile tube trip to a multi-day canoe expedition.

Multiple outfitters in the county handle everything — canoes, kayaks, rafts, tubes, Jon boats, shuttle service, camping, and cabin rentals. You show up, they put you on the water.

Before or after your float: Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store is at 14400 Hwy Z, St. Robert, MO 65584 — about 10 minutes from Fort Leonard Wood’s main gate. Open daily 8 AM – 8 PM (CST). The fudge is better after a float than before, but we’ll serve you either way.

The Two Rivers

The Big Piney River

The Big Piney is a 110-mile spring-fed river that runs through the heart of Pulaski County, passing through or near Fort Leonard Wood and the hamlet of Devil’s Elbow before joining the Gasconade. It’s famous for smallmouth bass fishing, crystal-clear water, limestone bluffs, and the kind of scenery that makes you understand why people keep coming back to the Ozarks.

The Devil’s Elbow section — where the river makes a sharp bend hemmed in by 200-foot limestone bluffs — is the most scenic stretch and the one most floaters want to hit. The 1923 steel truss bridge over the Big Piney at Devil’s Elbow is one of the most photographed Route 66 landmarks in Missouri; from the water, looking up at the bluffs, it’s even more impressive.

Wildlife: Smallmouth bass, otter, bald eagles, great blue heron, and wild turkey are all common on the Big Piney. Keep your eyes on the riverbanks and tree lines.

Best for: Scenic floats, fishing, intermediate paddlers, anyone who wants the full Ozark river experience.

The Gasconade River

The Gasconade is the longer and more varied river — winding through Pulaski County with stunning rock formations, hidden caves, and abundant wildlife before it meets the Missouri River. It’s slightly more relaxed than the Big Piney on most sections, making it the better choice for beginners, families with young children, and anyone who wants a peaceful afternoon rather than an adventure.

The 3-mile tube float on the Gasconade — Veterans Bridge to BSC Outdoors — is the most popular beginner trip in the county, and the 8-mile combined float from the Big Piney into the Gasconade is the most comprehensive single-day option.

Best for: Beginners, families, relaxed floats, anyone who wants a longer multi-day option.

The Outfitters

BSC Outdoors (Boiling Spring Campground)

14 miles from Fort Leonard Wood’s main gate | bscoutdoors.com

The most comprehensive outfitter in Pulaski County. BSC Outdoors offers floats on both the Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers — canoes, rafts, kayaks, tubes, and Jon boats — plus camping, cabin rentals, swimming, and fishing. They shuttle you upstream to the put-in and pick you up at the end.

Float trip options:

• 3-mile Tube Float — Veterans Bridge to BSC (Gasconade River). The easy afternoon option.
• 5-mile Float — Piney Landing at Devil’s Elbow to BSC (Big Piney into Gasconade). The most popular single-day trip and the one that hits the Devil’s Elbow scenery.
• 8-mile Float — Blue Spring to BSC (Big Piney into Gasconade). The full-day option.
• 14-mile Float — Riddle Bridge to BSC (Gasconade River). Multi-day by appointment only.

Rules worth knowing: All boats must be off the water by 6 PM. Children under 2 are not permitted on float trips. Rain policy: if it’s still raining at noon on the day of your trip, you receive a rain check (no refunds). High water/flood conditions result in a rain check rather than a refund.

Best for: Families, military groups, beginners through experienced paddlers, anyone who wants camping alongside their float.

Contact: bscoutdoors.com | (573) 759-7294

Devils Elbow River Safari

Phone: (573) 855-4733

Floats on the Big Piney in canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes — with Devil’s Elbow as the centerpiece. The name tells you what they specialize in: the most scenic section of the Big Piney, through the bend with the 200-foot limestone bluffs.

Contact: (573) 855-4733

Gasconade Hills Resort

28425 Spring Road, Richland, MO 65556 | Phone: (573) 765-3044

Floats on the Gasconade River with camping and cabin accommodations. Located in Richland, on the western edge of Pulaski County. A good option if you want a more resort-style experience alongside your float.

Contact: (573) 765-3044

Choosing Your Float

First time floating? The 3-mile Gasconade tube float at BSC Outdoors. Short, gentle, and the right introduction to Ozark river floating. Under two hours on the water.

Want the full Ozark experience? The 5-mile Big Piney float from Piney Landing at Devil’s Elbow to BSC. This is the one — scenic bluffs, clear water, Devil’s Elbow, and a float that takes most of the day at a relaxed pace.

Serious paddlers / full day? The 8-mile combined Big Piney and Gasconade float. Longer, more varied, and the most comprehensive single-day option in the county.

Family with young kids? The Gasconade tube float, and confirm ages with the outfitter before booking — BSC does not allow children under 2 on float trips.

Want to fish? The Big Piney is one of Missouri’s premier smallmouth bass rivers. BSC Outdoors offers fishing trips alongside float rentals.

What to Bring

All outfitters provide life vests, paddles, and trash bags. Here’s what to add:

• Sunscreen — the Ozark sun on the water is relentless
• Water shoes or sandals that strap on — flip-flops will come off
• A dry bag for your phone, keys, and anything you can’t afford to get wet
• Water and snacks — a cooler that fits in your canoe works; most outfitters allow them
• Cash — some outfitters prefer it, and not all have strong cell service for card transactions
• Towel and a change of clothes for after

Leave behind: Anything you can’t afford to lose. Glass bottles are prohibited on most Missouri rivers.

After the Float: Stop at Uranus

You’ll be hungry, sunburned, and extremely satisfied. Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store is your post-float destination — 10 minutes from Fort Leonard Wood’s main gate at 14400 Hwy Z, St. Robert, MO 65584, open daily 8 AM – 8 PM (CST).

Fresh fudge made daily in our on-site kitchen. Uranus Ice Cream Co. open 11 AM – 6 PM. The Sideshow Museum if you still have energy. The Route 66 Neon Park right next door if you’re staying for the evening.

A float trip and a fudge stop is a complete Pulaski County day.

Last week, in the last week of July, we had a dozen float trippers coming by in a large van, happily enjoying some ice cream and Putt Pirates.

Practical Notes

Best season: Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak floating season. The rivers run year-round but water levels vary — spring can bring high water after rainfall, and late summer can mean lower, slower rivers. Call your outfitter for current conditions before booking.

Reservations: Strongly recommended for weekends and holidays, especially in summer. BSC Outdoors books through their website at bscoutdoors.com. Other outfitters take phone reservations.

Military groups: BSC Outdoors specifically lists military groups as a target audience and is set up to handle larger group bookings. Call ahead for group rates and availability.

Getting there: All Pulaski County outfitters are within 30 minutes of Fort Leonard Wood. BSC Outdoors is 14 miles from the main gate. The Pulaski County Tourism Bureau maintains current outfitter listings at visitpulaskicounty.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What rivers can you float near Fort Leonard Wood? The Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers both run through Pulaski County within easy reach of Fort Leonard Wood. The Big Piney is the more scenic option; the Gasconade is better for beginners and families. Multiple outfitters serve both rivers.

What outfitters are near Fort Leonard Wood for float trips? BSC Outdoors (14 miles from the main gate) is the most comprehensive — canoes, kayaks, rafts, tubes, camping, and cabin rentals on both rivers. Devils Elbow River Safari specializes in Big Piney floats through the Devil’s Elbow section. Gasconade Hills Resort covers the Gasconade from Richland.

How long does a float trip take near Fort Leonard Wood? The 3-mile Gasconade tube float takes about 1.5–2 hours. The 5-mile Big Piney float is a half to full day. The 8-mile combined float is a full day. All boats must be off the water by 6 PM at BSC Outdoors.

Can beginners float the Big Piney River? Yes — the Big Piney is manageable for beginners on most sections, especially with an outfitter shuttle and briefing. The Gasconade is generally calmer and is the better choice for absolute first-timers or families with young children.

Is Devil’s Elbow worth seeing on a float trip? Yes — the Devil’s Elbow section of the Big Piney, with its 200-foot limestone bluffs and the 1923 Route 66 bridge overhead, is the most scenic stretch of river in Pulaski County. The 5-mile float from Piney Landing at Devil’s Elbow is the trip that hits it.

How far is Uranus from the float trip outfitters? Uranus Fudge Factory is about 10 minutes from Fort Leonard Wood’s main gate at 14400 Hwy Z, St. Robert, MO 65584 — a natural post-float stop on the way back. Open daily 8 AM – 8 PM (CST).

For more on things to do in Pulaski County, see A Weekend in Pulaski County: What Locals Actually Do and the Complete Visitor’s Guide to Uranus Missouri.

Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.