Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging

Great people, good for tips, camping supplies, shuttles on the upper buffalo, and camping for first timers. No electric on sites but they have very nice showers and bathrooms. Cool cats too! Can’t go wrong here, laid back and they can help you with pretty much everything. I would come back here again.

I’ve been floating the Buffalo River since 1971. Lost Valley Canoe is the most helpful place I’ve found on any river anywhere. Their rates are the best in the area and they can set people up with canoes, rafts, or kayaks. The Buffalo River is famous for its great water from March –May. You can call them anytime for information on the River and they will set you up with someone downstream if it is really low. Their campground is quiet, the bathhouses clean, and the bunkhouse a great retreat on a cold March night. Keith L., founding member, Gasconade River Cave Savages

This place is GREAT! The local staff and owners are kind and friendly. The gift store has essentials for your outdoor experience at a good price. Eclectic items too. Their Fig Jam Rocks! My experience with Lost Valley was quite enjoyable. If you are in the area it is a must! We’ll be back!!!

We booked a 4-​person raft float down the Buffalo River on Easter Sunday, but when we arrived to confirm our booking on Saturday, we were informed that we would be making the trip in 2 canoes because the river was too low to float a raft.
We had some canoeing experience, but were surprised to find fallen tree trunks blocking the main channels of the river. A couple of these hazards had overturned, half-​submerged canoes lodged next to them. The small rapids along the way were very active. With the river down, the falls had considerable drop-​offs. The trip took us about 6 hours to complete. We stopped for about 45-​minutes for lunch.
More information about the condition of the river and the obstacles it presented would have been helpful.
They are very accommodating at check-​in where you can make arrangements to have you car shuttled down to the final landing. They will take all credit card information in the event you loose or damage canoes or oars. When you finish the float, you beach the canoe. Your car will be in the parking lot at the top of the river embankment.
Overall experience was awesome! Highly recommend making the trip in the spring to catch the flowering redbuds and dogwoods.