LEASBURG KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Butt’s Slab: A Ten‑Mile Creek Float Through Forest, Caves and Gravel Bars
A 10‑mile canoe or kayak float on Courtois Creek, the Huzzah and the Meramec that typically takes around 5–6 hours—this guide lays out the route, rules and what to pack.
Butt’s Slab: A Ten‑Mile Creek Float Through Forest, Caves and Gravel Bars.
Butt’s Slab is a quiet, creek‑style paddle that threads roughly ten miles of river—6 miles on Courtois Creek, then stretches on the Huzzah and Meramec—through shaded forest corridors, narrow, curving channels, caves and frequent gravel bars. Expect a day on the water focused on relaxed floating and scenic stops rather than speed.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Forest canopies, caves and gravel bars
The float runs through close‑canopied forest and narrow, curving creek channels where caves and gravel bars provide natural places to explore, picnic or stretch your legs between paddling stretches.
Three rivers, ten miles
The full outing covers about 10 miles total—approximately 6 miles on Courtois Creek, then roughly 2 miles on the Huzzah and 2 miles on the Meramec—run in canoes or kayaks and taking roughly 5–6 hours depending on river flow.
Simple launch, shuttle and family‑minded rules
Trips operate with scheduled departures, a shuttle system that drops paddlers at Butt’s Slab and finishes at Ozark Outdoors, and firm safety rules around lifevests and prohibited items to keep the river day straightforward for families.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
This is a float trip in the classic sense: long, gentle stretches interspersed with short, narrow channels and bends that demand basic boat handling. Paddlers spend most of the day drifting past hardwoods, stopping for cave alcoves and gravel bars, and enjoying a measured pace on a protected river system.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this float suits—and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Trips depart with scheduled shuttle service and daily runs at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.; there are no runs on Sundays. The operator handles drop at Butt’s Slab and finishes at Ozark Outdoors.
The advertised float covers about 10 miles and typically takes roughly 5–6 hours for canoes and kayaks, though actual time varies with river flow and stops.
Bring appropriate footwear, sun protection and any required flotation: guests under certain weights should bring or purchase a USCG vest or puddle jumper. The operator has a limited number of child vests to borrow; glass and styrofoam are prohibited on the river.
The operator runs a shuttle: bus drops paddlers at Butt’s Slab and the outing ends at Ozark Outdoors. Staff reserve the right to move guests to an alternate route if river conditions warrant.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Butt’s Slab float?
The outing is a 10‑mile float that generally takes about 5–6 hours for canoes and kayaks, though actual float time can vary with river flow and stops.
What launch times are available?
Trips are scheduled to go at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. daily, with no departures on Sundays; shuttle details note a drop at Butt’s Slab and an end point at Ozark Outdoors.
Are children allowed on the float?
Children are allowed but operators note special precautions: children under 3 are at your own risk; all children count as a person on a vessel; depending on water levels staff may not allow children on certain floats or vessels; under‑50 lb children must bring or purchase a USCG vest or puddle jumper.
What type of boats are permitted?
This outing is for canoes and kayaks only.
Is flotation provided?
The operator has lifevests but quantities are limited for smaller weights; guests under certain weights should bring their own USCG‑approved vest; children under 13 must wear a lifevest.
Are there items I can't bring on the river?
Yes—styrofoam and glass are not allowed on the river.
What if river levels or debris prevent the planned route?
The operator reserves the right to move guests to an alternate route if water levels or debris hinder floating.