River Rats: St. Louisans love Boating & Floating

In the Gateway area, a day on the water is the perfect getaway

By Ryan Boman | August 19, 2025

As a city that was built on and thrived on the Mississippi River for generations, St. Louis is known as much for the water that flows beside it as it is for the Arch above it. Because of that, the locals have always been water people, often seeking out any lake or stream as if it’s part of our DNA.

During this time of year, many people ditch the metro for the water flow, often heading to remote places like Steelville, MO, to enjoy a few days of floating and relaxing. Or maybe they could head down to Osage Beach in the Ozarks, where they can engage with Hoosiers of every stripe.

Naturally, every good float trip needs the proper accessories. For most of my St. Louis brethren, that probably includes a six-pack of Busch Light cans, tethered to the boat and floating right along down the river with them. Of course, those same people think the water is simply the world’s ashtray, as they flick their Marlboro Light butts right into the river.

Of course, you have to make sure you have life jackets, because the waters can get pretty choppy at times. One year, we forgot ours, and poor cousin Jimmy got swept out of the raft and was taken away by the rapids. But the story ended happily: He survived with no harm. Now, he’s settled somewhere on that riverside, where he now lives off the grid with his two wives and seven children. We get postcards from them every now and then.

At the end of the day, rafting and riding the river provides us with a true sense of freedom. And a quiet, comfortable day on the water almost re-energizes you. (That is, after you get about 14 hours of sleep, recuperating from all the sun and alcohol.)

It’s a callback to the days when this area was being explored as the westernmost front of what would become the United States. It’s a chance to spend a day with family and friends, sharing old stories and creating new ones. And sadly, it’s also where you feel empowered to take your shirt off, no matter how out of shape you are.

With Labor Day approaching, it’s a sign that Summer is about to end. But there’s still a little bit of warm weather lying ahead. If you haven’t had the opportunity to captain your way down the Kaskaskia or metriculating the Meramec, get out there and get your sea legs. And do me a favor… Say ‘hello’ to cousin Jimmy for me.