There are 530 explored caves in McDonald County. Several caves are open to the public, and tours can be taken.
The Ozarks have been exposed for 250 million years. Surrounding areas were covered by glaciers or seas. Many animals and plants make the Ozarks their home due to this. Erosion and time has made deep valleys. Our mountains may be small but our valleys are deep! If you have ever been hiking in the Ozarks you can certainly relate to this.
The four major waterways in this area are, Indian Creek, Little Sugar, Big Sugar, and Elk River.
Indian Creek, can be the most exciting creek in the area. Several good springs feed into it and make this one of the best creeks for floating. A gradient of 9+ for the first 8 miles gives you the chance to float through the Ozarks instead of paddling your way down. Fishing is often very good here because of the lack of children swimming and people playing around the water. This does happen but only at certain times does it get crowded. The first 19 miles are yours. There are very few area outfitters that service upper Indian. Past Hwy. 71 things change. The beauty of the bluffs take over for the next 7 miles. A gradient of 9 makes the creek very fast during the early spring and summer months.
Little Sugar flows into Missouri from Arkansas in a northern direction. Only 8 miles should be floated. The town of Bella Vista (AR) has several golf courses so you just might find yourself being the target of someone who is having a bad game on the links. The little town of Jane (MO) is the best place to start. Fishing is also very good and this is a great place to get away from a crowd.
Big Sugar is much more famous. there are several outfitters along it offering a wide variety of services. Floatable all year long makes this creek one of the best in the area. A general gradient of 6.5 makes this a favorite with families and beginners learning to canoe. 24 miles are floatable starting near the town of Powell (MO), through Cyclone, and into the town of Pineville (MO). There are several bluffs along Big Sugar to see and explore.
Big Elk
River is the most popular and populated streams. People from all over
come to enjoy the calm and cool water. Noel (MO) is known as the Canoe
Capital of the Ozarks, and with good reason. During the spring and summer
months Elk River becomes a trail of canoes floating down the bluff lined
valley. If you like getting to meet all kinds of new people, this is the
place to go. Elk River is 23 miles long with a gradient of 4. Take your
time and enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks.
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