Spring Ozark Rendezvous 2026

[ABT]

There is now a Facebook group for this called Ozark Rendezvous Paddlers, if you are interested in attending I suggest joining for info/updates. An Ozark Rendezvous is held both Spring and Fall on different rivers.


From the Facebook post by the admins for this upcoming Spring:

“What to Expect
Spring Rendezvous 2026 will be held at the North Fork of the White River, and we’ll also paddle Bryant Creek one day.

Dates: April 29 – May 3, 2026
Paddling days: April 30 – May 2

In past years, some folks have arrived early or stayed later to paddle or camp, and you’re welcome to do the same.

Camping Information
Please arrange your camping directly with Stephanie at Sunburst Ranch.
Email: info@sunburstranchcanoe.com
Phone: 417-284-3443
Just mention that you’re with the Ozark Rendezvous group — she’s aware we’re coming.

Camping rates
Tent sites: $12 per person, per night
Electric sites: $15 per night + $12 per person, per night
For example, an RV electric site for two people for one night would be $39.
If you have any questions about the sites, Stephanie will be happy to help.
They also have showers on site.

About the Group
If this will be your first time joining us — welcome!

This group has been around since 2001, when paddlers from several states decided to meet up and paddle the Ozarks together. Twenty-five years later, we’re still at it. We’re not very “structured” — we paddle, we have fun, we self-shuttle, and no one gets left behind.

We usually leave camp between 10:00 and 10:30 AM to hit the river. Everyone cooks their own meals, though some folks head into town to eat. The town of Dora is very close, and the gas station there has a great restaurant — their pie is awesome (hopefully they still have it!).

Group Activities
One evening we gather for what we call “High Tea” — basically snacks and drinks. Participation is optional, and you don’t need to bring anything (trust us, there’s always plenty). We also have a campfire every night.”

 

[ABT]

I had never been before this past Fall and it was a good time. It is pretty unstructured, some people paddle in a faster group, but most of the group leisurely paddles together. Although there were a few kayaks last time, most were in solo canoes.

The North Fork of the White never makes headlines because it’s not part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways like the Current or Jacks Fork, and it’s not a National Wild and Scenic River like the Eleven Point. While that means there are a few more houses visible on the water, and a few private campgrounds, it is still a very rural area and makes up for it by being more fun in some ways. It is all still class I except for a few spots that are class II, but the swift sections are frequent and they are bigger “drops” than the other Ozark rivers in Missouri. Many have small horizon lines, followed by quick water and standing wave trains up to 1.5-2’ depending on water levels. There are a couple of class II spots on it, the most well known being a couple foot ledge drop called the Falls. Nothing particularly difficult anywhere on it, just a lot of fun. Water is crystal clear, fishing is reportedly fantastic.

It’s also close enough to several other Ozark rivers that someone could easily hit the Rendezvous and also paddle the Current, the Jacks, the Eleven Point, and even the Buffalo in Arkansas if they had a week or so to do it.

 

[tketcham]

Looks like fun. I remember paddling on the Huzzah River decades ago in a tandem Grumman. Beautiful country and clear water. If I didn't have a bunch of other commitments that time of year I might take a road trip.