Every Summer when the temperature rises and the rainfall stops, the hunt for floatable rivers begins. We have had some great floats on dam-fed gems like the Little Red River and Lower Ouachita River. And for the last two Summers, we’ve really enjoyed the spring-fed Eleven Point River near Pocahontas in Northeast Arkansas. But I’ve always heard the Eleven Point is also really nice further upriver into Missouri. So we recently ventured into the Show-me State to check it out. To ensure the flow would be good, we decided on floating Greer Crossing to Whitten on the Eleven Point River, and it did not disappoint.
The Eleven Point is one of the three major floating rivers in the Mark Twain National Forest of Southern Missouri. All three are spring-fed and in close proximity of each other. The Eleven Point is renowned for its emerald green waters, abundant trout, and stunning scenery. The stretch from Greer Crossing to Whitten Access is a popular section, showcasing the river’s natural beauty and tranquility. Greer Spring, just upriver from the put-in, provides pretty reliable flow, even in the hot and dry Summer months.
Quick Glance
Distance: 12 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Richard’s Canoe Rental: 36.771742, -91.349295
Long Hollow Creek Access: 36.817351, -91.364363
Greer Crossing Access: 36.793232, -91.331498
Turner Mill Access: 36.765827, -91.269420
McDowell Access: 36.760374, -91.241337
Horseshoe Bend Float Camp: 36.750644, -91.241807
Barn Hollow Float Camp: 36.741660, -91.230847
Whitten Access: 36.732595, -91.214618
(Copy/Paste Coordinates into GPS or Google Maps search bar)
Directions
It’s a 30-minute drive each way between Greer Crossing and Whitten Access. So for this reason, I recommend getting a shuttle with Richard’s Canoe Rental*. Richard’s is located right on Hwy 19, just 7.3 miles northeast of the town of Alton. But if you insist on self-shuttling, continue another 2 miles past Richard’s. Just past the bridge of the Eleven Point River, look for the Greer Crossing signs on the right. Getting to Whitten is not as easy. From Alton, head up Hwy 19 for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Hwy AA and drive 9 miles. Turn left onto Oregon County 137 and drive 2.2 miles where it dead-ends at Whitten Access. Oregon County 137 is a dirt road and parts of it are a little rough. But a four-wheel drive is not required.
*This article is not sponsored by Richard’s Canoe Rental. We received no financial incentive for our recommendation.
What to Expect
Greer Crossing to Whitten on the Eleven Point River is an easy 12 mile float. In fact, I would rate as very easy with the exception of a few strainers and boulders to avoid. Outside of that, there is nothing technically difficult about this one, and would be fine for paddlers of all skill levels. It is rated as Class I with no serious rapids, but there are a few fun shoals here and there. And the springs provide a nice current throughout the length of the float.
The emerald green waters of the Eleven Point are adorned with lush forests, occasional bluffs, and teeming with aquatic life. As you drift downstream, keep an eye out for wildlife, such as deer, river otters, and a variety of bird species. One of the highlights of the float for me was seeing a pair of river otters that I managed to capture on video. Be sure to catch that in the video further below. I found Greer Crossing to Whitten on the Eleven Point to be a tale of two floats. The first half – Greer to Turner Mill – is noticeably different than Turner Mill to Whitten.
Greer Crossing to Turner Mill
Launching from Greer Crossing, you’re immediately greeted by the invigorating energy of the river. The water, fed by the massive Greer Spring, is exceptionally cold and clear, creating a pristine aquatic habitat. The current is brisk, making for a fun ride through a series of shoals with twists and turns. This is the first half of the float and seemed to go by much faster than the second half. From a paddling standpoint, this half of the float is far and away the best half. That is mostly due to the flow, water quality, scenery, and “fun water”. The lack of power boats on this section certainly helps too.
Turner Mill to Whitten
As you progress downstream, the river’s character transforms. The current mellows, allowing for a more leisurely pace and ample opportunities to soak up the sun and admire the surrounding scenery. The fishing restrictions of Greer to Turner Mill are lifted, making the smallmouth bass fishing a little easier. To me, this section didn’t seem as scenic. And while it wasn’t a paddle fest, the slower flow did make this half of the float seem longer. Fortunately there were a few fun shoals close to the end to make up for it. Boats with motors become more common in this section, which was annoying. But most of those people were locals, and I was a tourist on their river. So to each his own, I guess.
Alternate Float
The day before we floated Greer Crossing to Whitten, we did a short afternoon float that I really enjoyed. We put in at Long Hollow Creek access and floated 3-4 miles down to Greer Crossing. The Eleven Point is more narrow in that stretch until it converges with Greer Spring. There are a few fun rapids and shoals on this stretch, as well as some lazy river sections. But the bluffs and scenery are a bit better than the Greer to Whitten stretch. And since the water is warmer (being upriver from Greer Spring), the smallmouth fishing is great. If I were to do it again, I would probably float Long Hollow Creek to Turner Mill.
Fishing
The fishing on the Eleven Point River varies depending on the section. As I just mentioned above, the smallmouth fishing is good upriver from Greer Spring. But below Greer Spring, it’s all about trout fishing. That’s pretty good down to Riverton, where the water warms back up some. If you plan to fish from Greer Crossing to Whitten, just be aware of the fishing regulations. Read the signs posted near the put-in at Greer Crossing. There are regulations not only on the number of fish you can keep, and the size, but also on the types of baits allowed.
Camping
The Eleven Point River is located in Mark Twain National Forest. So like the Buffalo National River, camping on the riverbank is allowed if you want to do an overnight float. Several float camps are also available along the river. The campgrounds are only accessible by boat, and are somewhat primitive providing only a fire ring and pit toilet. Coordinates for these float camps are listed in the Quick Glance section up above. For tips on planning/packing for an overnight float, check out some of our other overnight float articles here.
Plan Your Trip
Floating Greer Crossing to Whitten on the Eleven Point River took us about six hours. That included plenty of stops and not much hard paddling. Although it is spring-fed with reliable flow for most of the year, it’s still a good idea to check the levels before going. And if shuttling (recommended), it’s always smart to call ahead to book the shuttle with an outfitter. There is NO cell signal at all for the whole float, or in most of the surrounding area. So handle your phone business before arriving. Check the weather if doing an overnight float. Storms upstream can cause a rapid rise in water levels and potentially dangerous situations. Be sure to bring food and drinks for the river and remember – NO GLASS of any kind! If you are a new paddler, please read our Paddling page and be sure to check out the Paddling Tips and Gear List there. Remember your PFD and trash bag, and please do your part to leave no trace.
If the Eleven Point River in Missouri is a long drive for you, I recommend making a weekend of it and staying in the Alton area. You can try some of the river sections above Greer Spring, or do the overnight float to Riverton. If you need overnight accommodations before or after the float, there are cabins in the area for rent. But plan ahead – don’t wait too late to book. Alton, MO is a small town but does have a grocery store, some gas stations and several restaurants. I highly recommend the Feed Sack on the Alton downtown square for breakfast. We also enjoyed Jason’s Mexican Restaurant for dinner one night. Overall, this was a great weekend floating trip. We plan to return to the area and check out the other rivers in the Mark Twain National Forest. And after that, maybe a return trip to the Eleven Point. The next time you’re having trouble finding water to float in the Summer, give this one a look.
