Water Activities
Home to Multiple Rivers for Plenty of Summer Water Fun
The Meramec, Gasconade, Bourbeuse, Big Piney, Courtois and Huzzah rivers all run through the St. James region, providing ample opportunities for fishing, canoeing and floating.
Maramec Spring Park
Location: Maramec Spring
Distance from St. James: 5 miles
Information: Maramec Spring Park is one of the most beautiful spots to be found in Missouri, and the Park contains the fifth largest spring in the state. Maramec Spring Park is privately owned and operated by The James Foundation.
The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks the six tenths mile of the fishing stream daily. Fishing at Maramec Spring Park is a relaxing and fun experience for the whole family.
Tiger Shark Water Park
Location: St. James
Distance from St. James: In Town
Information: Location: 500 South Bourbeuse St. James, MO 65559
Operational Hours:
12pm to 7pm Monday thru Saturday
12pm to 6pm Sunday
Adult swim 11am to 12pm Monday thru Friday
Times will change once school is back in session, Aug 11th. From August 11th until Labor Day we will be open weekends only, normal Saturday and Sunday Hours apply. Our Last Official day open will be Labor Day itself, September 1st.
Admission fees:
4 years and under free
$3.00 for everyone else
Fugitive Beach
Location: Rolla
Distance from St. James: 10 miles
Information: The Fugitive Beach is located on a 25 acre Rock Quarry. We offer swimming for all ages, a 60’ waterslide, 15’ and 20’ cliff jumps, sand volleyball, kiddie play area, pavilion rentals, changing rooms, and a beach bar and grill.
$10 per person 11 & older / $6 per person 10 & Under
Sunday – Saturday: 10:00-6:00 (May 19-September 4)
*weekends only starting August 20
Meramec Caverns Canoe Rentals
Location: Stanton
Distance from St. James: 35 miles
Information: Float down the Meramec River in a canoe or raft and see some great river and wildlife scenery. Bring the entire family or your group down for a day or weekend trip. Less than 1 hour west of St. Louis. All Floats will end at Meramec Caverns.
Reservations are recommended for weekends and holidays.
Blue Springs Ranch
Location: Bourbon
Distance from St. James: 23 miles
Information: Blue Springs Ranch is a 150 acre resort on the Meramec River offering lodging in a cabin, camping, float trips, trail rides, zip lining & several seasonal events. There is an outdoor adventure for everyone!
Just one hour from St. Louis and Fort Leonard Wood, so you can come down for the day, take a float trip and be back for dinner.
Arapaho Canoe or Raft Rental
Location: Sullivan
Distance from St. James: 30 miles
Information: Come enjoy the outdoors this season at Arapaho Campgrounds and Canoe Rental. Float the beautiful Meramec!
- Riverfront Camping
- 3 Hour to all day floats
- Moonlight Floats
- Group Rates
Riverview Ranch
Location: Bourbon
Distance from St. James: 23 miles
Information: Missouri cabins, riverfront tent camping, RV camping, canoeing, rafting, kayaking and tubing float trips in Missouri on the Meramec River.
Huzzah Valley Resort
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: We have been outfitting trips on the Huzzah, Courtois and Meramec Rivers since 1979. Our resort offers something for everyone with camping, lodging in cabins, canoeing and many other activities to entertain and engage guests of all ages.
Green’s Canoe Rental & Campground
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Float through the trophy trout and bass waters of the Meramac River
We are located just minutes away from the river. Our goal is to make your outdoor adventure an enjoyable & memorable experience.
Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort
Location: Leasburg
Distance from St. James: 21 miles
Information: We specialize in water amusement activities and float trips. Floating options include three rivers, the Huzzah, the Courtois, and the beautiful upper Meramec stretch. Choose one or all three. You can enjoy a canoe, raft, kayak, or tube, whatever floats your boat.
Bass River Resort
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Experience the adventure of floating down crystal clear spring-fed Courtois, Huzzah, and the Meramec Rivers. Relax on a solitary sojourn or with a few good friends on a canoe, raft, tube, or kayak. With so many choices of rivers and water craft, you will never want to leave
The Rafting Company
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Come explore rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, riverfront camping, RVing and lodging on the crystal clear upper Meramec. We have a wide range of activities to make you want to visit us again and again. Discover The Rafting Co. Camping-RV River Resort and its amenities.
Garrison’s River Resort
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Canoes, rafts, kayaks, or jon boats, we have everything that you could ask for on a fun day out on the river.
Indian Springs Family Resort
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are enjoyed by guests of all ages on a seven mile float that allows guests to end conveniently back at Indian
Lucky Clover Resort
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Lucky Clover is located in a secluded valley with our own quality fishing lake, excellent camping and great canoeing, rafting kayaking and tubing on the scenic upper Meramec River.
Murphy’s Place
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: In addition to camping, Murphy’s Place has rafts, kayaks, canoes and tubes available for rent. The float we offer is 5 1/2 miles and ends
back here at Murphy’s Place.
3 Bridges Raft Rental
Location: Bourbon
Distance from St. James: 23 miles
Information: 3 Bridges Raft Rental offers a wide range of float trips from Onondaga Cave to Meramec Caverns on high quality rafts, canoes and kayaks.
Cobblestone Lodge
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Cobblestone Lodge is an all-inclusive family resort where you don’t have to worry about the concerns that accompany most vacations. The canoe, raft, and tube floats are also included. We offer two 3-mile float trips daily.
Adventure Outdoors
Location: Steelville
Distance from St. James: 17 miles
Information: Adventure Outdoors furnishes 17′ canoes, two paddles and two seat cushions or life jackets per canoe. Transportation is included in rental fee. If you’re planning to stay overnight and don’t want to take all your gear with you, think about Adventure Outdoors as a base camp.
Woodson K. Woods Conservation Area—River Access
Location: St. James
Distance from St. James: Located in St. James
Information: This predominantly forest conservation area, located off Route 8, is one of the most scenic state-owned properties in Missouri. Facilities include a gravel bar boat launch and two permanent streams. Hunting, fishing, trapping, camping, dog training, launching and landing boats are allowed 24 hours a day in areas where these activities are permitted.