A Full Moon Float is a special expedition style "day trip" on which we spend about six hours exploring the Mississippi or Missouri rivers by the light of the full moon. It includes delcious food, transportation and our great gear and guiding service. We pack and provide for a kitchen camp as part of the trip. Typically it is not an overnight trip, but we do paddle after sunset using the light of the Full Moon to illuminate our way.

For most Full Moon Floats, we meet 2.5 hours before sunset. We use our "Destination Shuttle Service" to transport our gear, canoes and clients. We usually meet our clients at the take-out destination and shuttle all to the put-in. After arriving at the put-in, we do our gear check, loading and instructing. We begin our trip by paddling through the glorious sunset. Great photo opportunities arise during the "magic hour" when the setting sun creates an amazing canvas - the contrasting and blending colors of the river, the sky and all that surround, create "magic".

Just after sunset, we head to a sandbar island to stop and set up a dinner camp. Sit back, sip a glass of sweet tea, have a glass of wine or a cocktail (BYOB adult), have a delicious hors dourves and enjoy the rising full moon as you await a feast of gourmet food. Your dining tables are set with fabulous river views. Mangia!

After dinner and dessert, we lead a short hike into the moonlit forest or explore the sand bar for river treasures. The grand finale of the trip is a paddle by moonlight on the Great Rivers. Our arrival time at the take-out is determined by you. We can take-out early enough for getting the baby sitter home, or for "last call". Then again, if the full moon has you sucked in to its charms, we can arrive on "river time" which means when you're good and ready.

Our trip itinerary will be customized for you. We have a variety of favorite Full Moon Float routes which we are happy to suggest. A few of these include:

IN THE GREAT RIVERS REGION

Maple Island / Alton Dam Access to Columbia Bottoms Canoe Kayak Access
8 River Miles down the Mississippi River, through the back channel of pristine Maple Island, into the powerful and sacred waters of the Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and into the back channel of Duck Island. The grand finale... a Full Moon paddle around Duck island. Take out at the Canoe Kayak Access. (requires a portage to the parking lot)

Piasa Creek to Alton
8 River Miles in the last pool of the Upper Mississippi River, paddling along the picturesque bluffs, catching sunset over the vast bottomlands of the Great Rivers Region, watching the full moon rise and the lights of Alton turn night fall into a natural lantern, under the Clark Bridge and into the wonderland of birds at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The grand finale...a Full Moon paddle in Ellis Bay listening and watching as the Full Moon party for the critters begins, to our take out at the Canoe Access in Ellis Bay.

North Riverside Park to St. Louis Riverfront
6 River Miles on the Mississippi River as it curves to the Arch, paddling into the back channel of wildlife packed Mosenthein Island, watching sunset over the bluffs and the "skyline" of the city, navigating through Tom Sawyer Bend. The grand finale... a Full Moon paddle beneath the "old timey" bridges, McKinley, ML King and Eads, past the historic LaClede's Landing, to our take out beneath the Arch.

St. Charles Blanchette Landing to Sioux Passage Park
12 River Miles on the last stretch of the "Lewis and Clark Water Trail" of the Missouri River, paddling past Brian's Island, along the ancient bluffs at Florissant, letting sunset spread a tapestry of color behind while the rising Full Moon appears on the bottomlands horizon, enjoying the truly natural sights and sounds of Pelican Island. The grand finale... a Full Moon paddle into Commerce Chute or around Pelican Island as wished, to the take-out at the Sioux Passage Park boat ramp.

MISSOURI RIVER

New Haven MO to Washington MO
10 River Miles on the "Lewis and Clark Water Trail" of the Missouri River, from historic New Haven to historic and blossoming Washington, MO, paddling along the cottonwood and willow lined river banks with sunset pouring its palette onto the river, bluffs outlining the old river bed and sand bars galore to relish. The grand finale... a Full Moon Paddle with the sublime shapes and sounds of the Mighty Missouri and the headlamp in the sky leading you to the take-out at the downtown boat landing of Washington, MO.