A lot has changed since we first featured the five-day, 100-mile Paddle MO excursion back in our March/April 2018 issue. Established by Stream Teams United with the support of St. Louis nonprofit Magnificent Missouri as a way to promote conservation and ecotourism along the last 100 miles of the Missouri River and the Katy Trail corridor, the program has expanded to include up to four paddles a year on distinct rivers across the state, including the James, Little Blue, and Current, plus different segments of the Missouri.

“The reason we switch it around is to offer more variety. How do we keep it interesting and not the same trip over and over,” said Mary Culler, executive director of Stream Teams United. “But we are not outfitters. We rely on a lot of volunteers and do a lot of grant work. We anticipate getting into some kind of rotation eventually.”

The Paddle MO program will include two excursions in 2023: a trip on the central Missouri River from September 23-27 and a trip on the upper Current River from October 14-16.

The Missouri River paddle will be 115 miles from state capitol to state capitol — Jefferson City to St. Charles — led by guides and experiential educators Bill and Jody Miles of Earth’s Classroom. The trip will span Missouri wine country and stop at Paddle Stop Brewery in New Haven. Three- and five-day options are available. 

The upper Current River excursion will explore 25 miles of our nation’s first National Scenic Riverway, and also will be led by Bill and Jody Miles of Earth’s Classroom. Headquarters for this trip will be at Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort near Cedar Grove. Participants get nine meals, on-water education, personal river journals, and more.

“Paddle MO trips provide people an opportunity to explore and learn about some of our state’s greatest rivers during a unique, multi-day trip and also serve as a fundraiser to support year-round river stewardship and advocacy efforts in Missouri by Stream Teams United,” said Culler.

Registration for Paddle MO 2023 is now open at streamteamsunited.org/paddle-mo.html.