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Good - FloatableA slow, scenic beginner (Class I) float rising in the St. Francois Mountains and winding north to the Meramec. Long pools, gravel-bar riffles, and historic mill sites, with Washington State Park a popular float base and a few low-head dams to portage.
Pick a put-in and take-out and we'll estimate float time, mileage, and shuttle — then give you a link to share with your crew.
Ordered upstream → downstream. Open a place for access details or choose an eligible put-in in the planner.
Portage the old mill/low-head dams on the lower river (Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill, Morse Mill). Big River drains the historic Old Lead Belt—MDC keeps a fish-consumption advisory, so avoid stirring up or ingesting bottom sediment.
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A relaxed Big River day starts around Washington State Park: long pools, short riffles, and a little history after the take-out.
Read the full Big River guide