Elk River Floats works the Class I to Class II water around Noel in far southwest Missouri, which the company calls ideal for first-time floaters. Three trips are on offer: a 6-mile Noel float that runs four to eight hours in a raft, six to eight in a tube and three to six in a kayak or canoe; the 12 Mile from Kozy Kamp down to Wayside Campground, canoe and kayak only, at six to eight hours; and a 6-mile Trestle Bridge run from Kozy Kamp to Trestle Park at four to six hours. Shuttle service is included with every rental. Departures are 8 to 11am on Saturdays and 9am to noon the rest of the week. The gravel-bottomed river holds smallmouth, spotted bass and longear sunfish.