Missouri | Central Missouri

Gasconade River

Rollins Ferry Access to Pointers Creek Access

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Recent trend

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Difficulty easy This is a broad recreational Gasconade segment with pools, gravel bars, motorboat traffic, and ordinary Class I moving-water decisions. It should stay an easy route only at ordinary, stable levels; high or rising water raises the consequence of bends, strainers, islands, and landings.
Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow MDC area rules, posted signs, boat-use rules, camping rules, and parking restrictions at both department access areas.
Camping Options nearby Primitive camping is listed at both MDC access areas, but this route is intended as a day float. Confirm current MDC rules, posted signs, and campsite availability before treating either endpoint as an overnight plan.
Season Mar-Nov The lower Gasconade is commonly paddled in spring through fall. Low water can make this short route slow and scrapey, while rain or releases can turn the river pushy, muddy, and debris-filled.

Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.

Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access, shuttle, and map

Launch at MDC Rollins Ferry Access and take out at MDC Pointers Creek Access for a 7-mile lower Gasconade day. Use the Rich Fountain gauge as a conservative low-water check rather than a full preferred-range recommendation.

Start

Put-in

Rollins Ferry Access Open map

Rollins Ferry and Pointers Creek are MDC public access areas with Gasconade River boat-ramp context, but posted signs and area maps control exact use.

Finish

Take-out

Pointers Creek Access Open map

MDC notes that Route RA to Pointers Creek is impassable when Pointers Creek is at flood stage; inspect the take-out and road access before launching upstream.

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Access caveats

  • Rollins Ferry and Pointers Creek are MDC public access areas with Gasconade River boat-ramp context, but posted signs and area maps control exact use.
  • MDC notes that Route RA to Pointers Creek is impassable when Pointers Creek is at flood stage; inspect the take-out and road access before launching upstream.
  • Coordinates are practical public paddling/location anchors paired with MDC access confirmation; follow on-site signs for the exact ramp, parking, camping, and closure conditions.

Watch for

  • Dragging, shallow riffles, and slow pools when the Rich Fountain gauge is near or below the 1,100 cfs floor.
  • High or rising water after rain, floating wood, muddy current, island splits, strainers on bends, and harder landings.
  • Motorboats, anglers, gravel bars, private banks, and long exposed pools where wind can slow the trip.
  • Private land away from public accesses and lawful gravel-bar stops; do not assume banks are public picnic or camping areas.

Check the data behind today's call.

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Tomorrow and weekend

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge site Gasconade River near Rich Fountain, MO
Discharge Checking
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Ideal range Needs paddler reports
Known low-water floor 1,100 cfs
High threshold Not calibrated yet
Data confidence behind the range Local route guidance
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Main source behind this score Rivers.MOHERP Rich Fountain gauge bands for the Gasconade River
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What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Public put-in MDC Rollins Ferry Access

    MDC map material identifies Rollins Ferry Access on the Gasconade River with a boat ramp, privy, parking, and primitive camping area.

    Source

  • Public take-out MDC Pointers Creek Access

    MDC confirms Pointers Creek Access on the Gasconade River, with directions, area rules, boat-use rules, camping, fishing, and photo documentation of the boat ramp.

    Source

  • Official route shape Rollins Ferry to Pointers Creek, 7 miles

    MDC describes a guided Gasconade River paddling outing from Rollins Ferry to Pointers Creek Access as a 7-mile route.

    Source

  • River-mile support About 7.4 river miles

    Missouri Float Trips places Rollins Ferry Access at river mile 203.4 and Pointers Creek Access at river mile 210.8 on the Gasconade River.

    Source

  • Live direct gauge USGS 06934000

    USGS operates Gasconade River near Rich Fountain, MO. The official legacy current-conditions page showed same-day May 30, 2026 discharge and gage-height observations during review.

    Source

  • Low-water floor 1,100 cfs minimum-only

    Rivers.MOHERP Rich Fountain gauge bands put the start of Low near 1,074 cfs and the start of Good near 1,994 cfs. The app uses a rounded 1,100 cfs low-water floor and does not infer an ideal range.

    Source

  • High-water caution No numeric cutoff claimed

    MoHERP labels higher Rich Fountain levels as High and Flood with strong caution language, but exact-route high-water calibration is missing. Treat high or rising water as unsuitable for casual trips.

    Source

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Gasconade River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Gasconade River?

Paddle Today watches Gasconade River near Rich Fountain, MO and uses 1,100 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does this Gasconade River route start and end?

This route starts at Rollins Ferry Access and ends at Pointers Creek Access, about About 7.0 to 7.4 mi on the water.

Is this Gasconade River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.