Short Bend

River mile 0.9 · Meramec River

Use as

Put-in / Take-out

Parking

~10 vehicles

Road

GRAVEL

Good

174 cfs · 1.32 ft

USGS 07013000 · Updated 1 hr ago

Onx

Gaia

Google

Apple

Road typePaved → Gravel (maintained)

DetailsFrom Salem, take Hwy 19 south, then east on Hwy KK to the conservation area entrance. Last mile is gravel. Remote area — limited cell service.

Capacity~10 vehicles

DetailsGravel parking area. Space for approximately 10 vehicles. Trailers can fit but turning around may be tight.

AmenitiesUndeveloped MDC access. No restrooms, no water, no trash service — pack in, pack out. Gravel bar launch only, no boat ramp. Primitive camping allowed per MDC regulations (Sept 15 – May 15 in conservation areas).

FeeNo fee

Managed byMissouri Dept. of Conservation

View official MDC page

Nearby on Meramec River

↑

Short Bend Low Water Bridge

Upstream · 0.8 mi · ~24 min

↓

Highway M Low-Water Bridge

Downstream · 5.4 mi · ~2.7 hr

↓

Cook Station

Downstream · 7.8 mi · ~3.9 hr

Back to Meramec River

Salem

Lodging·12 miles northwest

County seat of Dent County. Full services: gas, restaurants, grocery, lodging.

🦦

Remote headwaters: This is the very beginning of the Meramec. Water levels can be too low for floating much of the summer. Check the USGS gauge near Steelville before planning a trip from here. Best after recent rain or in spring.