Need help with spring river accommadations

[wally]

also posted on recreation site.)

we are planning on bringing 25 children from church to tent camp and paddle the spring in the last week of july. we will come during the week. the kids are 6th 7th and 8th graders. where would be the easiest place to camp and where to go for shuttle and canoe rental.
thank you, wally

[AR-Nimrod]

Hi Wally,

Spring River Resort is very nice with lots of shady tent camping spots. Very nice campground with a small store and good river access. They rent boats and run shuttles. We stayed there last three years for Rec. School. Ihave heard good things about Spring River Oaks also but, have never stayed there.

Chris

[Opes]

I had very good luck with Sring River Oaks. Very nice campground and the managment seems to cater to families. I would recommend them to anyone.

[Jim Krueger]

Hey Wally,

I like both Riverside Resort Campground and Spring River Oaks Campground. What I would use
for the deciding factor would be how long you want to float. When we go for a day float up there, we're
putting in at the Dam#3 access and floating down to the Spring River Oaks Campground access, about eight miles.
Riverside Resort is about the halfway point in the trip. Riverside would be my choice for floating part way one day, and the lower part the next day. For floating the whole section one day, I would pick Spring River Oaks for the convenience of ending the trip at camp.
Other info., both parts of this eight mile section are very fun with rapids, ledges, gravel bars, deeper swimming holes, etc. but the lower half has the most larger features, like Saddler Falls, and Dead Man's Curve. If any one wants to fish for trout or walleye, Marlo and I have done pretty good with smaller spinners with multi-colored skirts.
Have a wonderful time!

Best Regards
Jim

[Jim Krueger]

Wally,

I meant to mention, both places have canoes, rafts, and shuttles. You'll just need to check with them on their rates.

Jim

[wally]

thank you for all the information. are we assured of water flow this time of the year. with inexperienced youth from the 6th through the 9th grade, which is the best section of the river to tackle. 4 miles is probabaly a good float day.
wally

[Jim Krueger]

Wally,

Marlo was up there at Rec. School, the 1st weekend in June and the water level (on the Hardy gauge) was 3.17ft.
which is fairly low compared to other years at that time. She said they could make all the rapids but some were getting pretty shallow. Currently, the gauge reading is 2.98 ft., even lower but I'm sure the stretch is still floatable, and probably will be when you go, but it will surely help if we get some rain between now and then. Low as it may be, I think Mammoth Spring will keep it floatable and nice and cool.

Best Regards
Jim

[Cowper]

...with inexperienced youth from the 6th through the 9th grade, which is the best section of the river to tackle. 4 miles is probabaly a good float day.

I like the Riverside to Spring River Oaks section, but at Rec School, I have found it almost impossible to keep everyone in even a smaller group (typical class of 6 students with 2 instructors + 1 safety boater) close enough together to have everyone continuously in sight through the Saddler Falls area, which includes several shoals and small falls with no major pools in-between. Someone always ends up going around the bend out of sight.

If you have enough adults, you could let several move ahead and space themselves throughout this area, then let the kids come through. But even then it could get dicey since if two or three boats with kids turn over; one adult would not be able to help them all at the same time.

You might give some thought to renting rafts. Even if only 1/2 of the kids were in rafts, that would cut down on the number of potential mishaps that the adults might have to deal with simultaneously, since the kids in rafts will most likey not be able to get in any serious trouble. It's also quite possible that the kids would have more fun bunched up together in rafts, than if spread out two to a canoe. Rates are typically set up so that the per-person cost is about the same for rafts vs. canoes.

[wally]

well we went and had a blast. stayed at spring river oaks which was nice. paddled from the dam back to the oaks. water level is low. had to pick the spot at all of the drops but the kids loved it. water was not pushy and we did not have a swimmer in the group. some got stuck on the ledges but were able to push off without incident. thanks for all the input. my only negative comment would be the bathroom situation at the oaks. man it's a long ways away.
wally
additional comment. i notice many of the trailers along the river at the campground discharging their grey water tanks directly into the river. is this normally the case. the grey water tank is from the shower and sink in an rv.

[Jim Krueger]

Wally,

Really glad you and the kids had a good time, it's a fun stretch to float! Considering the long drive, planning, and so fourth, you and the other trip leaders are to be commended for orchestrating the whole thing, I know the kids will remember it fondly!
I've never camped at Spring River Oaks but I can see where the bathroom shower facility is probably a little less handy than at Riverside resort. You all might have to take a look at Riverside sometime.
If you're not worn out from this outing, you're welcome to join us at Porterfields in the morning then leaving between 12 - 12:30 to head up to the dam to float.

Best Regards
Jim