Access Points

Kings River Access Points

Marble to Marshall Ford

Public Access
Distance – 11.3 Miles
Latitude 36* 07.30N
Longitude 93* 30W
Gradient –  5.3ft/mile
Time – 7 hours at minimum floatable water level of 3.5 feet per the USGS gauge.
Recommended early spring to June for good water level.

This float has a very easy public access point near marble just off Highway 412. This is traditionally the starting point for many rafting, kayaking and canoeing visitors. Sections of this river rival the Buffalo River in natural beauty. Large bluffs line this float along with plenty of rapids with multiple twists and turns to make for an exciting journey. Good stretches of deep pools, submerged boulders and other structure make for excellent smallmouth bass habitat. It’s important to note that you must take portage over a low water bridge. You will have to unload your canoe or kayak and drag them over the left bank of the river. The take out point is at Marshall Ford which is northeast of Alabam on County Road 1435. This take out is fairly easy near the bridge but parking is limited to the road.

Click here to purchase a waterproof Wayfinder map from Marble to Marshall Ford.

Marshall Ford to Rockhouse

Public Access
Distance –  15.85 Miles
Latitude 36* 11.34N
Longitude 93* 39.104W
Gradient – 7.8ft/mile
Time –  8 Hours at minimum floatable water level of 3.5 feet per the USGS gauge.
Recommended early Spring to June for good water level.

Very easy access point near a small bridge just off of county road 1435 near the town of Alabam which is a few miles off of Highway 412. Paved road access almost all the way to access point. The Parking is limited just off of a gravel road after the pavement ends. This is a very quiet and attractive float on a gorgeous stretch of river with more beautiful big picturesque bluffs. This long 15 mile float could easily be used for an overnight camp or two on many of its beautiful large gravel bars. Due to the length of the float, you will find the river mostly to yourself. There are many long deep pools, shallow gravel riffles, eddies and pools with slow current flowing against boulders and ledges making this prime smallmouth habitat. The take out is very easy at a large gravel bar at the Rockhouse public access (gravel road most of the way) which is just off CR539 near Rockhouse Creek. Plenty of room for parking.

Click here to purchase a waterproof Wayfinder map from Marshall Ford to Rockhouse.

Rockhouse to Trigger Gap

Rockhouse to Trigger Gap
Public/Private Access
Latitude- 36* 16.19N
Longitude- 93* 39.84W
Distance – 7.5 Miles
Time – 4 Hours at minimum float level of 3.2 feet per the USGS gauge.
Recommended early Spring to June for good water level.

Rockhouse has an easy public access with a gravel road most of the way. This access point is just off CR539 near Rockhouse Creek. There is plenty of room for parking and a very large gravel bar that allows easy put in. This is a very popular float and a great day float. You will find more people on this stretch of the river. You will also find very large gravel bars and more of a riparian journey through many twists and turns of the river. Half way through the float, you meander by the land dedicated to the Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy’s primary purpose in acquiring the preserve, which spans some 10.5 miles on both sides of the Kings River, was to help maintain the health of and water quality in the Kings River. There is one low water bridge toward the end that the middle has been blasted out. It is recommended that you portage your canoe or kayak over the left hand side for safety reasons. The take out point is Private at Trigger Gap (Mountain Pass) area. You will need to pay a small fee to park your car and use the take out from Kings River Outfitters. Stop at their office to make arrangements. They are very knowledgeable of the area and great stewards of the Kings River. They can also provide a complete shuttle service and canoe/kayak rental with different lengths of river options.

Click here to purchase a waterproof Wayfinder map from Rockhouse to Trigger Gap.

Trigger Gap to Hwy 62

Trigger Gap to Hwy 62-JD Fletcher Public Access
Private Access/Public
Latitude 36* 18.89N
Longitude-93* 39.81W
Gradient – 4.1 ft/mile
Distance – 12.75
Time – 7 Hours at minimum float level of 3.2 feet per the USGS gauge.
Recommended early Spring to June for good water level.

This is a private access point in the Trigger Gap Mountain Pass area called Kings River Outfitters. It is Just off paved Hwy 221. You will need to pay a small fee to park your car and use the private access. Stop at their office to make arrangements. They also have a shuttle service with other lengths of float options along with canoe or kayak rental. This stretch is a favorite of the Kings River for rafting, kayaking and canoeing. But it is especially known as a trophy section of the river for smallmouth bass. Only one bass may be kept and it must be over 18” in length. This 12 mile trip combines good riparian scenery with good fishing and many large gravel bars. Two creek tributaries enter the river on this stretch. Keels Creek enters on the left at mile 8 and the Osage Creek which is the largest tributary to the Kings River enters on the right near the HWY 62 bridge. The take out point is the JD Fletcher Public Access point just off of the HWY 62 Bridge. Please note that the path up and down to the river can be a little steep and difficult.

Click here to purchase a waterproof Wayfinder map from Trigger Gap to 62.

Hwy 62 to MO 86

Hwy 62 to Mo 86
Public Access
Latitude 36* 23.687N
Longitude 93* 37.997W
Gradient – 4.0 ft/mile
Distance – 21.86
Time – 8-12 Hours at minimum float level of 3.2 feet per the USGS gauge.
Recommended early Spring to August for good water level.

The access point is the JD Fletcher Public Access point just off of the HWY 62 Bridge. Parking is readily available but please note that the path up and down to the river can be a little steep and difficult. The last Kings River trip of what is considered the lower Kings begins here and concludes almost 22 miles near Table Rock Lake. 3/4 of the way into the trip floaters will encounter backwaters of Table Rock Lake. This long stretch of river can be broken up to two different floats. The first 12 miles is HWY 62 to Summers Ford (Stoney Point) public access and the next 9 miles is Summers Ford to HWY 86 Bridge which is 4 miles down river from another public access called Romp Hole. This stretch of river can be floated later into the summer due to the back up of Table Rock Lake. Plenty of smallmouth bass can be found as well as channel catfish, and walleye in the deeper pools. White bass can be found seasonally near the lake starting at the Romp Hole depending on the water temperature and time of year. There are plenty of gravel bars to camp and this float is a much slower and easier going stretch of the river. The scenery is mostly riparian with very few bluffs until you get to the lake entrance but still a fantastic stretch of beautiful river. To get to Stoney Point, go to Hwy 143 West of Berryville, turn north and go through Grandview. Before you get to Missouri, there will be a brown sign to Stoney Point. The Romp Hole access point is just off of county road 4502 by taking Hwy 221 and turning off of county road 411 to county road 450 and then on to county road 4502.

Click here to purchase a waterproof Wayfinder map from Hwy 62 to MO 86.