Current River | Baptist - Two Rivers | 6 Days Kayak Camping

Join us for our 6 Day Kayak Camping Adventure on the Current River in the Missouri Ozarks. We traveled 56 miles from Baptist Camp to Two Rivers. We got to see Welch Spring and Welch Hospital, stopped at Cedargrove for a portage, Akers Ferry, visited Cave Spring, Pulltite Spring and the old Mill. Unfortunately we did not get to see much of round spring or the cave there. This may be the greatest float trip Missouri has to offer.
A note on drones: National Parks Services will never grant permission, even with a part 107(commercial drone license) to fly from National Parks. One must launch/land a drone from private property or outside the park. Furthermore, the operator or a spotter must maintain line of sight on the drone the entire time it's airborne. In retrospect, I may not have flown a drone at all on this trip to avoid these confusions, and fully anticipate someone will report this to the NPS. While legal, I DON'T recommend flying over National Parks because of all the Karens. Mark Twain allows 4-wheelers which are much louder and tear the hell out of everything. Interesting dichotomy. Protect our National Parks and fly your drones elsewhere.
Kayaks used on the Current River Float Trip:
Nucanoe Flint
Nucanoe Pursuit
Nucanoe Frontier 12
Eddyline Caribbean
Ascend H12
Ascend 12T
Westmarine Abaco
Lifetime Tandem thing
▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 - Intro
03:11 - Baptist Camp
11:54 - Cedargrove
12:22- Welch Spring
16:58 - Cave Spring
22:45 - Pulltite
35:59 - Round Spring
A million thanks to ‪@GatewoodBrown‬ & ‪@SouthernPaddler‬ for your inspiration over the years to start shooting my own trips. Visit their channels, you will not regret it!

[@GatewoodBrown]

This is what it's all about right here. Kayak camping down a spring fed river with friends and family. AND making an awesome video. So stoked you put this together, really enjoyed it! Looks like the Current River needs to move up on my to-do list. Cheers!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks for the inspiration!

[@quiettime1195]

The trout fishing is amazing

[@beckyandsebastian]

I’ll be there with you buddy

[@h2ozark480]

I’ve canoed this same trip 6 times since 2015 in the same number of days as you. I almost cry on that sixth morning in my tent knowing I will be soon parting from the river and my friends. Thanks for capturing that part of it.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

I miss my friends more than I miss the river. But I'm blessed knowing I can be with them both once a year!

[@mohunter68]

Thank You for taking me along and I felt like I was right there with you. Sadly I can't do the things I love anymore, so your videos help ease the pain a little bit. You have a greater impact on people than you could ever imagine. I grew up hunting, fishing, and trapping on my local river, some of my fondest memories that I will never forget.

[@biglakepress5788]

Do this as much as you can now while you're young! Enjoy it. Time flies and soon you'll be to old to pull this kinda stuff off. It sucks getting old. I'm 60 and can still do 1 or 2 nights but epic trips like this are out of the question for me now. Enjoy and savor it while you can. ❤

[@isuckatflyfishing1672]

I love videos like this that show care and deference for my favorite river on Earth. Those Pultite raccoons are legendary.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

We did not enjoy their company!!! 😵‍💫

[@Ramme86]

inflames tshirt, swedish band. awesome :D

[@blakelewis8435]

Our family makes this trip every year, the beautiful scenic river you can't explain in words.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Nothing quite does it justice.

[@dougmarlow4626]

Back in the 80s we would canoe from Baptist to Pulltite campground in one day. So fun. I fly fish Baptist a few times a year now and wonder how we made it through those shoots. Oh the stories.

[@whitetail600]

Loved this! Started each morning with my coffee over the last week watching segments and dreaming of being out there like you all did! What a great trip and memory for you all! Thanks for sharing!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Morning coffee is important to us. Glad to accentuate yours! Many more on the way...

[@whiterhino742]

I’m so glad I found this video…..this journey is a masterpiece! Thank You for this!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks for the kind words! Can't wait to do it again this year.

[@spacehonky6315]

Dang, Missouri is beautiful! Thanks for taking me along.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@einnor1040]

It's a great day to be alive & be on the Current River in Shannon County, MO.

[@soldotnaman]

This is where I grew up. I’ve lived in Alaska for the last 23 years but in less than a year we’ll be back!!!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Come back, we miss you!!! 🤪

[@weshuber8055]

Surprised not to see medlock spring in the video

[@alancummings5651]

Beautiful river and hills.

[@crackinbridge4351]

Shed a tear to add to the water, our friendship forever as strong as the Current. Thank you so much for documenting this amazing experience.

[@shawnsmith780]

I lived and worked in southern MO for an accumulated 20 + years. Plan to move back because of those same beautiful rivers and hills. Your music and voice-overs are very good. Good voice for that also.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks for the kind words. The Ozarks are some of the most unique topography we've got!

[@danzilla3223]

Me too, but it's so hard to find good paying work down there. Spent half my childhood in Salem the other half in seymour

[@shawnsmith780]

@@danzilla3223 I worked for the state. Other than that you were sort of stuck logging, construction, or working in a factory. Low cost of living though.

[@user-sb6iw7vo8y]

Love the music you chose for everything. My favorite is the spring in the cave . So cool

[@jefftheHawkEyeGuy]

What is the last song you played in the closing

[@BoneZone]

Killer video man. A lot better content than pretty much any other videos out there right now. Can't wait to go back to current river!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Wow! Thanks! We'll be back this year.

[@stevenweiser8495]

Fantastic adventure! I work with Eric. Couldn’t wait til I could enjoy watching this at home. Unforgettable for sure.

[@user-sb6iw7vo8y]

Love the music you chose for everything. My favorite is the spring in the cave . So cool 18:55

[@andrewmcginnis]

Amazing video! Greatly put together

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks!

[@tysonmilner]

Great adventure, 💪 filming! If you ever want to do a movie, I have the script. Keep up the good work, Missouri strong, we need to show more of our state. Thank you for this.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Missouri is HOME. Thanks for the support!

[@chrissalfrank242]

Dude, make it a point to do it again. My friends and I (group has grown to 12) make a point to float the Buffalo River in Arkansas every year in April for 4 days. Everyone knowns to reserve the last weekend of the month. My uncle started the tradition with his friends 25 years ago and we have kept it going since then. Don't let trips like these die, they are good for the soul.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

We will do it as often as possible! Excited to plan our 2024!

[@CASTAFLYAdventures]

Bro you had me at 30:15 😂 on the edge of my seat. Love it! Great video!

[@Mcbuggler]

Thanks for documenting this. Princess and I had a blast. We can't wait until our next adventure.

[@michaelelliott3456]

Already a huge fan. Keep the videos coming.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Here they come!

[@FatherFiguresOutdoors]

You have just encouraged me like your peers have for you! I hope to get as good as you were at filming...I find myself living in the moment more than documenting. I feel this trip is one i need to put in my list of lifes must do!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Always feel free to reach out if I can help you with your vision at all.

[@FatherFiguresOutdoors]

@@OzarkMediaCo Thank you so much! I have a message coming your way. Float with Nature's Rhythm: Where Paddle Meets Soul my friend.

[@herschelbrown2944]

This was a really beautiful trip, thanks for sharing it.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks for watching! More adventures on their way!

[@illeagle9079]

Looked fun! The video editing is great!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks! Look for more!

[@dougmarlow4626]

Loved the video brings back a lot of memories. There was a group of us that did those trips for 10 years in a row in the 1980s we never wanted it to end but full time jobs and kids brought it to an end. We took the kids on a few short trips to Van buren. My dream is to do a trip from Baptist to Van Buren. Hopefully soon. I tell everyone it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. Thanks.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

There is a very good reason.

[@letsgofishing4904]

What a fun adventure! Count your blessings to be surrounded by so many with the same love for the rivers. I'm 48, and 50 isn't too far away. Been realizing I'm not getting any younger and I need to start scratching these dream trips off my bucket list. Problem is, no one else in my circle or just outside is interested. My Dad is, was, and always will be my best river adventure buddy, but he's going on 88 this year and hasn't been able to join me in about 10 years. Almost have my nephew up for it, but he's moving out of state to take up a new career. Make matters worse, I'm a hermit / introvert. So, solo I shall go. Wanting to do the Current, Eleven Point, Jacks Fork, and the Buffalo in Ar. Dad and I've spent years, since I was just a little kid, bouncing from the Meramec, Gasconade, Big Piney, and the Huzzah and Courtois creeks. He and I did the Current when I was about 10 or so. It was a great time, but so many years ago and much has been forgotten. What a blessing to have the digital world at our finger tips to forever save these special times. Sure wish we had it. ... Anyway, thanks for the content. I've been binging these KZbin videos to get inspired and a plan for an adventure of my own.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

I hope we can bring even an ounce of the love for the outdoors you and your dad shared to our content. Thanks you for such an authentic comment, can't wait to share more adventures!

[@neshaboyde4712]

Do it by yourself if you have to. There's alot of things I like to do that my partner just doesn't have time for so I go on adventures by myself

[@letsgofishing4904]

@@neshaboyde4712 Same for 99% of the things I do. I am an introvert/hermit after all. lol ... But still, it's nice to have company on adventures like this one. For safety if no other reason. 😎

[@jeremywilliams2340]

I'm not in your circle but I live in the heart of the Ozarks and am willing at anytime...

[@dopefiendlarz133]

Great home movie. I’m trying to get permission to fly a drone in Eleven Point river and Mark Twain Forest and got denied by National Scenic Rivers and still waiting on MTNF response. I don’t have have equipment or skills like you. Really I’m just learning how to use it still. Like one of your other comments I read I’m 60 as well and though I could still do a long trip like this I am a full time caregiver and it’s not possible for me to be gone more than 3 days 2 nights which is great getaway but leaves my distance somewhat. I used to do a few western rivers each year as well as the great Missouri and Arkansas paddle’s. Again, loved this movie and even though it’s been 10 years since I was on The Current, I still recognize every riffle.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

They will never give you permission, even with a part 107(commercial drone license) to fly from National Parks. You must launch/land your drone from private property or outside the park. Furthermore you or a spotter must maintain line of sight on the drone the entire time it's airborne. In retrospect, I may not have flown a drone at all on this trip to avoid these confusions, and fully anticipate someone will report this to the NPS. While legal, I DON'T recommend flying over National Parks because of all the Karens. Mark Twain allows 4-wheelers which are much louder and tear the hell out of everything. Interesting dichotomy.

[@dopefiendlarz133]

@@OzarkMediaCo thanks, I appreciate the response and good advice. Eleven Point is a much less used river, or it was in the 90s and ‘00s at any rate. I have a single engine VFR private license so I’m somewhat versed with Federal Bureaucrats. I’m wondering what the rationale is though. I’m guessing it’s a law enforcement/homeland security excuse. Keep paddling, tight lines. Dee’s Bluffs

[@canyonman6492]

Don’t! Take the time to introduce the right people that will appreciate it for the treasure it is. This goes for any place that is special and moves you. Too many of these remarkable rare places are being overrun and destroyed by people that didn’t earn the privilege of being there. There are only so many places like that and when they are gone they’re gone. It’s like working hard for something special, you appreciate it and take care of it. Just throwing it out there to be the one that made it known is not the right way, it attracts the wrong attention.

[@76erGrant]

Woot!

[@FR3ELAND]

Your last last camp spot we hit up on July 2nd. We did the same trip Baptist to Two Rivers. It was a good bank to camp.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

We loved it. A bit of noise from Sinkin Creek campground and the highway right there, but great spots for tents, firewood and swimming.

[@dougmarlow4626]

Alway hated porting the canoes at Cedar Grove.

[@McHeebler]

Incredible trip, amazing video. Thanks for doing all this! ❤

[@OzarkMediaCo]

More to come!

[@angelikarios]

It was great meeting you guys on the river! Deez bluffs is right 😂

[@OzarkMediaCo]

That absolutely slayed me! 🤣

[@ozark.explorer]

What a fantastic video! Thanks for sharing!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thank you! 🙏

[@SouthernPaddler]

What a great video (footage & editing). Looks like y'all had quite the adventure! That's a great trip and I hope to do it again someday!! 👍💯🤘

[@SouthernPaddler]

Oh, and thanks for the shout-out!! ☺

[@jefftheHawkEyeGuy]

Amazing video. Love that guitar tune at the end also

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@TruuGemini]

Amazing video!!!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks!

[@sandiking92]

It is BY FAR the BEST FLOAT TRIP Missouri has to offer. Will do it again and again til I can't no more!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

No doubt it's at the top of the list. But the right people can make a float in a puddle the best!

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

The videography and editing here is top notch! You've made some entertaining videos lately!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Glad you enjoy them! More incoming...

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

@@OzarkMediaCo Excellent!

[@zacharybonner9188]

Very nicely done!!! Awesome video!! I’m now a subscriber!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks!!!

[@joaogutierrez6137]

Caiaque é muito bom, em família é melhor ainda, sou caiaqueiro e velejador no Brasil.

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man that was an awesome kayak camping trip you had with your friends man. Look like a very nice river too. I have a buddy of mine who live 2 hours away from the current river. I really really want to take my family there to kayak camping. This was a good video man. Thanks you for sharing this video buddy.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Hit the Current! You won't be sorry!

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@OzarkMediaCo I am making plans now.

[@SouthernFlow]

cool video! man i love some overnights on the water like this!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Heck yeah!

[@LIVE4THEADVENTURE]

Awesome trip! Wish I had a group of friends that like this stuff. You said a lot of fish was caught, what kind did you catch the most and did you catch any trout? You should plan and do the Jacks Fork from top to bottom!! Great video!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Mostly browns, plenty of smallies and some goggle eye

[@PBnJBand]

Awesome video! you need WAY more subscribers!!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

As long as PBnJBand is subscribed, I have achieved greatness.

[@roberteasley6404]

Current is in fact the best river in the state to float. ceder grove to pulltite is one of my favorites

[@OzarkMediaCo]

That's hard to argue with, but people will!

[@69Trips1]

That was awesome. I sooo want to do this.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Plan it, now! Even if it's for way down the road, get it in the books!

[@paddlepedalproductions5452]

Great video man! That is one beautiful river. And I loved your edit. Very well done. I use videos like these and the ones Gatewood B posts as examples of how I can improve my own skills behind the camera and at the editing screen. Also, props to the girl with the sidearm in her bikini bottom at the end! Is she from Texas? LOL.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Gatewood was my inspiration to start the channel. He outclasses me in every way on the editing! Nope, we're from the Ozarks. Very perceptive, I try to exclude most of the shots showing any of that bc of KZbin.

[@paddlepedalproductions5452]

Same! And I've actually gotten to meet Gatewood. He's as nice, genuine, and energetic in person as he in on camera. Just an all around great guy. He passed along some of his Remote Designs gear to us to use on the Devils River and it performed exceptionally well. @@OzarkMediaCo

[@natesambo9759]

Great vid, we'll be doing part of this soon on our Kayaks, floated Round Spring to two rivers a couple times. Love the Current and Jack's fork. Question though, is that log your friend gets stuck on around 22:25 of the video like 30-45 minutes before Pulltite? Not the spring but Pulltite takeout? I've been hearing a lot of people having trouble with that spot. Also, I had a similar thing happen to me with my fishing poles getting caught by a low hanging tree at the Buffalo River last year, luckily it was shallow.

[@OzarkMediaCo]

That sounds about right. There was actually a couple there just watching folks navigate it and we stopped for a half hour or so to talk to them. They were locals who'd been coming back to that same spot for 3 years to watch people flip!!

[@ichbineinberliner6992]

What a great trip! Same time next week?

[@weshuber8055]

Man pulltite raccoons are notorious for being bad 😢

[@OzarkMediaCo]

They lived up to their reputation on this trip....

[@weshuber8055]

@@OzarkMediaCo I live about 2 hours away from there and go to the area a lot. I've heard some pretty wild stories

[@OzarkMediaCo]

@@weshuber8055 Honestly not sure if it's safe for inexperienced campers! If someone brought unsecured food in their tent I bet those suckers would be right in there with them.

[@weshuber8055]

@OzarkMediaCo That's actually one of the stories i've heard is one getting in the tent. I think I've heard of people pushing coolers underneath the seat on the picnic tables and they somehow managed to push the cooler from underneath so they could open the lid.

[@danzilla3223]

Now looking back bapist to akers in feb wasn't the brightest thing for me to do 😂

[@OzarkMediaCo]

That would be rough! I bet it was pretty, though.

[@jbohl79]

Great video. How did you get by with flying a drone they are prohibited

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Common misconception. You may not land or launch from a National Park. The air space above the parks is regulated by the FAA, not the NPS.

[@patbueltel9628]

How did you get into kayaks and where/how did you learn the basics of it ? Can I start this at 62 or am I too old Also a video on getting started and basics of it would be great .

[@OzarkMediaCo]

We just started! We made mistakes here and there that sometimes put us in harms way or inconvenienced us. At 62, you are absolutely capable of enjoying kayaking. I would start on a pond or small lake on a calm, sunny day!

[@jasonwilson1677]

Be their 3 days sep 89 10

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Excellent! Enjoy the trip.

[@jeremywilliams2340]

Great video, what kind of camera did you use?

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Thanks! A7C and DJI Osmo Action

[@jeremywilliams2340]

@@OzarkMediaCo Thank you!!

[@hollymakesmesmile]

What month of the year was this video recorded? The weather looks great!!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

June

[@hollymakesmesmile]

Thank you. Would you be so kind as to tell me where can I research to plan my trip? As far as drop off and pickup? And if I will need to pay a state park or rules for camp sites?

[@OzarkMediaCo]

@@hollymakesmesmile The parks along the upper Current are Ozark Scene Riverways (National Park Services). You can find tons of info on their website. Also join some social media groups! Great info in those.

[@hollymakesmesmile]

@@OzarkMediaCo thank you!

[@tylerharper3222]

You guys ever make it to S. ALABAMA, or N. FLORIDA, let some of us know!

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Copy that! Check out the Southern Paddler channel, Dan is in that area.

[@TimothyD99]

Anyone have any suggestions for a 3 day float for a buddy and myself with three boys? Looking to camp on river. Second week of June?

[@OzarkMediaCo]

Depending on your pace, Akers Ferry to Pulltite might be the ticket. A fast crew could do the trip in this video in three days.

[@TimothyD99]

@@OzarkMediaCo Perfect! That’s what I need to know. Thanks for the advice.

[@ydb_tito]

Too bad the camera is on you the whole vid… we don’t even get to see the river 😢

[@OzarkMediaCo]

I literally can't even wrap my head around this comment. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisjmiller6]

​@@OzarkMediaCoI think he would like you to spin your camera around part of the time when paddling down river. Love the drone stuff! I spent plenty of great weekends on the Current growing up

[@OzarkMediaCo]

@@chrisjmiller6 It's like when people go to the Zoo and take pics of the animals like there aren't better photos of the spotted leopard in the wild taken by Nat Geo. This video is about the people!