niangua river oasis-day rentals

After booking this trip from hearing about the resort from a co-worker who had stayed once (I guess there's a reason it was only once), I found the trip sad. The first night, a cop walks into the heart of our camp site to inform us it was now 11:00 and radios needed to be turned down. We weren't even playing a radio! So much for privacy! That night it rained hard. Not a problem, we were still at the river by 10:00 yet it took another 1/2 hour before they could get us into boats because of the storm the night before, we were told. We had read that you had to be by one check point by 2, and another by 3, in order to get to the last pick up by 7, but no one explained anything about it. With no watch on the water with us, and not knowing the route, check point locations or anything, we set off. While we enjoyed the float, we certainly didn't dawdle. After all, there were uniformed police on the banks pulling over boats every time we turned around. Scary. We reached the 2 o'clock check point at 2:05 and were forced out of the water against our will. I mean, they sent a posse a guys running down the bank to dive in and drag in our boats if we didn't paddle in! Plus they threatened we would be charged double and kicked out of the campground. This after they got us on the water late in the first place and there were other floaters not 500 feet in front of us! So in fear of their threats, we gave up. Later that night it rained hard again, but yet again another patrol came up to our camp. With big brother at every turn, and with that outfit handing out threats and fear on a regular basis-who needs them!!! I'll go back to my trusty Elk River where they let you enjoy the only summer vacation a working person gets. I will never spend money with this resort again, and I will be sure to let everyone I know about this disheartening experience. It's such a shame they had to be mean and ugly and leave everyone with such a bad taste in their mouths. Lesson learned.

If you have children, I would suggest avoiding the weekends and the lower campground because it is a party float. I am respectful to families myself, but it is basically a giant, wet, college party Friday through Saturday.

Yes its a party river. Stay in the Family campground and you're fine.The staff at NRO always make booking our reservation quick and painless. I grew up coming here as a young boy scout and it has become more crowded, but everything in moderation right? Go during the week if you are looking to take your sheltered kids. If you don't really care, and just want to have fun, go on a weekend. We have our annual "Adult Float Trip" at NRO every June. We take our kids during the week, for obvious reasons. Has nothing to do with the canoe rental company, or the campgrounds. We see security every evening, and everyone is very nice. I recommend NRO to anyone who wants to have a blast on a float trip. Very reliable. Can't wait to try the zipline this year!

This location has a campground to camp out and then multiple options for floating the Niangua River. We used them with our family (husband, wife, and 5 kids) and everyone had a blast. There was plenty to do at the campground area to keep us entertained and floating the river was amazing.