Highway 89, approximately 9 miles North of Belle, Mo. The Gasconade, probably named for French setttlers from the province of Gascony in Southwestern France, is reputed to be one of the most crooked rivers in the world. Entirely within Missouri, the river winds nearly 300 miles from its source near Hartville to the Missouri River, which is an airline distance of about 120 miles. Although it has less gradient than some Ozark rivers, the Gasconade has some surprisingly fast sections, yet is still a good, safe family float stream. 

Dru Pippin describes the Gasconade River well in the Rivers of Missouri when he says, “…steep bluffs, gorgeous cuts, hairpin turns, and lazy eddies; hardwoods, softwoods and dogwoods, hidden logs, protruding boulders that weathering has tumbled from adjacent cliffs, wildflowers and shrubs, birds and bees, four-legged creatures quenching their thirst at my water’s edge, while listless white clouds float above as though convoying my trip.”