The Ultimate Missouri Ozarks Float Trip Packing List

This float trip packing list is for anyone heading to the Missouri Ozarks, whether it is your first float or your fifteenth. It covers exactly what to bring, what to leave at home, and how to keep it all dry, based on decades of sending guests down the Meramec, Huzzah, and Courtois at Ozark Outdoors Resort.

Key Takeaways

• The three non-negotiables are a dry bag, closed-toe water shoes, and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Pack everything valuable in a sealed dry bag and assume anything loose will get wet.
• Glass bottles and disposable foam coolers are prohibited on Missouri rivers.
• A refillable water bottle matters: floating in the sun dehydrates you faster than you expect.
• Anything you forget can usually be grabbed at our on-site general store before you launch.

Table of Contents

• The Float Trip Essentials
• What to Wear
• Food, Drinks, and Cooler Rules
• What to Leave at Home
• How to Pack a Dry Bag
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Float Trip Essentials

Start with the items that make or break the day. If you pack nothing else, pack these.

• Dry bag. A waterproof bag for phones, keys, wallets, and a dry set of clothes. This is the single most important item on the list.
• Closed-toe water shoes. Old sneakers, water sandals with heel straps, or purpose-built water shoes. River gravel and hidden rocks make flip-flops a bad idea.
• Reef-safe sunscreen. Reapply often. Water reflects sunlight and burns you faster than a day at the pool.
• Refillable water bottle. Sun and paddling dehydrate you quickly.
• A hat and sunglasses with a strap so they survive a tip-over.
• A small first-aid basics kit with bandages for the occasional gravel-bar scrape.
• Cash for the general store or snacks.

Life jackets are provided with every rental at Ozark Outdoors Resort, so that is one thing you do not need to bring. Check our float trip page for what comes with your rental.

What to Wear

Dress for the water, not for the parking lot. You will get wet, so cotton is a poor choice because it stays heavy and cold once soaked.

Wear this on the river:

• A quick-dry swimsuit or moisture-wicking shirt and shorts
• A rash guard or light long-sleeve shirt for extra sun protection
• Water shoes you do not mind soaking

Pack this for after:

• A full change of dry clothes, sealed in your dry bag
• A dry towel left in the car for the ride home
• A warm layer if you are floating in spring or fall, when Ozark mornings are cool

Pro Tip: Loop a cheap phone lanyard or floating strap onto sunglasses and phones. The Meramec has swallowed more phones than we can count.

Food, Drinks, and Cooler Rules

You can bring a cooler on your float, but Missouri river rules and our resort policies exist to keep the water clean and safe. Know these before you pack.

Glass is prohibited on Missouri rivers, and disposable foam coolers that break apart and litter the water are not allowed either. Pack drinks in cans or plastic, secure your cooler to your boat, and carry out everything you carry in. Review current rules on our rules and policies page before you arrive.

Good float foods travel well and do not need refrigeration for hours: jerky, trail mix, sealed sandwiches, fruit, and chips. When your float ends, Paddler’s Bar & Grill handles dinner so you do not have to.

What to Leave at Home

Some things simply do not belong on a float. Leaving them behind saves you money, hassle, and heartbreak.

• Glass bottles. Prohibited, and dangerous if they break in the water.
• Anything valuable or irreplaceable that you would hate to lose to the river.
• Non-waterproof electronics without a dry bag or waterproof case.
• Loose car keys. Keep them in the dry bag, not a pocket.
• Excess baggage. Space in a canoe or kayak is limited, so pack light.

How to Pack a Dry Bag

A dry bag only works if you pack and seal it correctly. Here is the simple method:

1. Line up your must-stay-dry items: phone, keys, wallet, dry clothes, and a warm layer.
2. Put the heaviest, least-used items on the bottom and the things you want quick access to on top.
3. Roll the top of the bag down at least three times before clipping the buckle. This is what makes the seal waterproof.
4. Clip the bag to your boat so it stays with you even if you tip.

Do not overstuff it. A dry bag needs air at the top to roll and seal properly. If you forget yours, the Meramec Mercantile general store stocks dry bags, sunscreen, ice, and last-minute supplies right on the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring on a float trip?

The essentials are a dry bag, closed-toe water shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, a hat, sunglasses on a strap, and a sealed change of dry clothes. Bring cans or plastic bottles for drinks, never glass. Life jackets are provided with your rental.

Can you bring a cooler on a float trip in Missouri?

Yes, you can bring a sturdy hard-sided cooler, but it must be secured to your boat. Glass containers are prohibited on Missouri rivers, and cheap foam coolers that break apart are not allowed. Pack drinks in cans or plastic bottles.

What shoes should I wear on a float trip?

Wear closed-toe water shoes, water sandals with heel straps, or old sneakers you do not mind soaking. Avoid flip-flops and bare feet, because river gravel and hidden rocks can cut or bruise your feet at launch and on gravel bars.

Pack Up and Float

A good float trip packing list comes down to three things: keep valuables dry, protect your skin and feet, and follow the river rules on glass and coolers. Nail those and the Meramec takes care of the rest.

Ready to put the list to use? Book your float online or call Ozark Outdoors Resort at (573) 245-6837, and forget-something insurance is just a stop at the general store away here in Leasburg, Missouri.