See all 5 routes on Meramec River
Missouri | Missouri Ozarks
Meramec RiverCampbell Bridge Access to Sappington Bridge Access
Ten-mile middle Meramec day float from MDC Campbell Bridge Access to MDC Sappington Bridge Access. MDC documents the access chain through Blue Springs Creek, and the Sullivan USGS gauge sits at the take-out corridor.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at MDC Campbell Bridge Access and take out at MDC Sappington Bridge Access for the middle Meramec link through Blue Springs Creek. MDC documents the access spacing as two five-mile legs, and the app uses the Sullivan USGS gauge at the take-out corridor as a conservative low-water check.
Access map
Put-in
Campbell Bridge AccessCampbell Bridge and Sappington Bridge are MDC river accesses with concrete ramps, dedicated canoe launches, restrooms, and parking, but same-day signs and local access conditions still control use.
Take-out
Sappington Bridge AccessBlue Springs Creek is an intermediate route landmark, not a recommended take-out in this app route. Plan to continue to Sappington unless you have a separate legal access plan.
Road shuttle
Use a two-car shuttle between MDC Campbell Bridge Access on Highway N and MDC Sappington Bridge Access near Sullivan. Inspect Sappington first because it is the mandatory public take-out before deciding whether the group has enough daylight for the full ten miles.
Additional access notes
- Coordinates are practical public paddling-location anchors paired with MDC route and map evidence; verify both landings from the road before leaving vehicles.
More route and safety guidance
- Campbell Bridge and Sappington Bridge are public MDC accesses with concrete ramps, canoe launches, parking, and restrooms, but verify the current road, ramp, and posted access conditions before leaving vehicles or launching.
- At high or rising Sullivan-gauge levels, fresh wood, pushy bends, bridge current, and harder landings become more consequential. Keep the 200 cfs floor as a low-water check only, scout visible hazards, and do not use private banks or Blue Springs Creek as an improvised take-out.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Meramec River near Sullivan, MO. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Meramec River near Sullivan, MO |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Rivers.MOHERP Sullivan gauge rating and Meramec trip logs |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route shapeCampbell Bridge to Sappington Bridge, about 10 miles
MDC planning material says continued floating from Campbell Bridge Access to Blue Springs Creek is 5 miles and from Blue Springs Creek to Sappington Bridge Access is another 5 miles.
- Public put-inCampbell Bridge Access
MDC says Campbell Bridge Access provides Meramec River access with a concrete boat ramp, dedicated canoe launch, restroom, and ample parking.
- Public take-outSappington Bridge Access
MDC says Sappington Bridge Access provides Meramec River access with a concrete boat ramp, dedicated canoe launch, restroom, and parking.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 07014500
USGS operates Meramec River near Sullivan, MO, the live Meramec gauge at the Sappington / Sullivan route corridor and the same gauge already configured for neighboring V2 routes.
- Low-water floor200 cfs minimum-only
Rivers.MOHERP rates the Sullivan gauge good beginning at 200 cfs and includes a Campbell Bridge to Blue Springs Creek trip rated good at 506 cfs, plus nearby Meramec trip logs rated good from roughly 294 to 543 cfs.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-05-30574 cfs / 3.38 ft at 2026-05-30 16:30
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- High-water cautionHigh and flood categories are not casual-float water
Rivers.MOHERP describes high water as potentially dangerous for young or inexperienced paddlers and flood water as avoidable for casual trips because obstacles can be treacherous or deadly.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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