Hootentown Canoe Rental, Campground and Store

Nichole Wilson

2023-05

My husband and I did a short float here recently and really enjoyed it. It was a weekday in early May and so peaceful and quite. We didn't see another soul the whole trip! We did the 4 mile float and it took us a couple of hours to complete. Lots of cranes and turtles along the way :) Everyone was really friendly, from the folks in the store, to the young man who drove the shuttle. Prices for canoe rentals are reasonable and gear and canoe were in good shape. Would definitely reccomend them for a float trip.

Serenia Stults

2023-08

Been floating with them for years. Now we own our own kayaks and they are awesome to let us ride the shuttle up to the drop offs. Such a great service.. now we have friends that we recommend that rent their rafts. Doing a great job in such heated weather..

Dao Tran

2023-05

Hootentown CP is a bit rough on the exterior. It photographed much better than looked. The water was great. Especially after a loud, young, foul mouthed family left. Camping was comfortable at night. Water tap and power was handy to have nearby. The portable toilets were cleaner than the bathhouse. 👍🏼

Katherina Kalman

2023-07

Beautiful float! Close to Springfield, MO.Bring your own equipment. Poor/ no maintenance of equipment. See photos of 3 patches on bottom of kayak ( it leaked and we had to dump water out every hour). Life vest was old and torn. Kayak seat was broken - could not lean on it. Ouch - it pinched!

Adana Fishback

2022-05

We love Hootentown! Great campsites, and fun tubing and kayaking. The river is so peaceful and beautiful, and the staff are awesome! We were there camping July 4th weekend, and it was hot and BUSY! We watched the staff work their tails off all day long, until the last canoes and kayaks were put away, only then did we see them relax and rest. They're all very friendly! We love Jared and Amber, with Job and Theodore! Can't believe all the rude comments, you are all awesome, and run a great business! If not, it wouldn't be so busy!!!

Tiffany Taylor

2022-05

We love Hootentown!! Always friendly staff, And if ya stroll in after hours, they just allow you to make yourself at home.. They always take such good care of us when we come and I will always recommend this place for a fun weekend of camping, kayaking, campfires and laughing, or even if you just wanna relax for a night by a warm camp fire, this is the place to come hands down... Thank you guys so much for your hospitality

Ulysses Mariscal

2022-05

Love Hootentown Canoe Rental is just a beautiful place by the river where you can make new memories. My family and I made new memories here you can too! Thank you, Diane!

jessica

2024-04

Great place! Amazing atmosphere! Kid friendly! Extremely organized and caring!! The beat place to be on the river!!

Daron Barrymore

2023-08

This is a great place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon! I love floating down the river and taking it easy. The water is shallow enough in MOST places to stand in the water and swimming spots for kids. It's been rainy lately and the water is moving a little quick so be careful and I am certain you will have as good a time!! Also, if you bring your phone I recommend a floating waterproof backpack and putting it in that after every stop.

Dustin Slavens

2023-07

We just went for our first time last Sunday. It was very very busy. Chaotic busy. We had the staff at hooton town go pick up our vehicle from where we launched while we floated. They had a flat on our trailer on the way back. They went above and beyond with not only changing our tire but they had one there and the two guys helping us were so respectful and just plain great people. Couldn't have asked for a better experience besides we forgot our sun screen and now look like lobsters. The wife and I took 5 overly excited kids on the 7 mile float and everyone tolerated them all the way down the river.Great place and we will be back. Only without our kids this next time.You guys keep up the good work.

Randy Yarrow

2023-09

Highly recommend this company. Four of us rented kayaks from Hottentown's and floated 4-miles down the James River. The Hootentown team is very friendly and fully staffed. On site convenience store to purchase any key items you may have forgotten. Shuttle bus was clean as well as the kayaks/canoes.We will rent from this team again...but will do the 7-mile float.

Derek Childress

2019-05

Ok so the people that run the place are awsome along with the staff, but the locals on the river are a little sketchy I would recommend carrying a gun for protection other than that not a bad river

Bridget Muse

2024-04

This place is beautiful and fun. Everything you need for camping, swimming, etc. is here.

Lupe C

2023-07

Reservations will not be honored.Had family reunion and reserved 4 rafts for 24 people (including coming in from out of state). We packed everything up for our group, got children ready and excited for the day. However, upon arrival, we were informed that only 1 raft was reserved. The email confirmation from Diana, responding to our request for four rafts, held zero value. While mistakes can happen, the lackluster response from staff to resolve their error, reinforces the indifference that this business has to you, as their future customer.If you do choose to proceed with this business, please manage your expectations and have a back-up plan.For staff, please slow down and read reservation requests carefully. Accuracy matters to your customers who are relying on the commitment you provide.

Nicole M.

2019-05

I love Hootontown! Massive camp ground with canoe, kayak, and tube rental at affordable prices! The staff is always friendly and who enjoy sharing their love for the river with everyone!

Christine Saxton

2023-06

Two stars because it’s not the water’s fault… these folks let me down every time we go. Waited almost 2 hours to load, and one of our guys had to help load the boats because their guys were “down in the field”. Three of us floated and we got 2 small kayaks and one 10 ft boat. The smaller ones were awful; too small and light for an adult to use for sure. The porta-John’s by the office looked like they hadn’t been cleaned in a month. After we got to the first drop, the driver realized she didn’t have one of the groups on her list. How do they continue to operate? I will not be going back! There are other outfitters close by: JRO for one, use them!

Danny Venable

2023-06

We arrive to people in our spot. We were Told to find a open spot and camp there. ( Meaning we would be taking someone else's spot). Once again our plug was unplugged from the power pole. This is a problem that happened last time. Thought I'd try again because I like being by the river. Place gets too crowded as the floating people start showing up making it hectic and a hassle to get around. Place lacks organization. Loud music late into the night (1-2am). The camping page is very deceiving and misleading.

Matt Martin

2018-05

We love staying at Hootentown in the Rv.! Water, electric'and waste hookups are as easy as you could Get. People are so great too! River is beautiful all year as well!

Jeff Bowers

2021-05

We called the day before to make a reservation for the 13 mile trip. We were told the last shuttle for this trip leaves at 9AM. We showed up at 8:45 and were paid and ready to go before 9. We were told they had to get the shuttles ready to go and then we would be ready to go. 45 minutes later with no word from anyone, we checked with the office and were told the shuttles weren't even on site. They had to drive 30 minutes to go get the shuttle. Shuttles should be back in 15 minutes they said. Another 45 minutes went by and one shuttle showed up. But none of the right equipment had been loaded up, so another 10 minutes to get that taken care of. But the shuttle was only for the other group. We went in and asked for a refund so we could leave. We were denied because "it wasn't their fault." I guess it was our fault for showing up on time. Finally another 15 minutes later out shuttle showed up and was ready to go. We took off around 10:50 for our 9:00 appointment. Not one worker seemed to care and we talked to some others that had floated there before and this seems to be the new normal. While on the river, one of our kayaks leaked. We had to empty it 3 times. We told the guys at the end who helped us out of the water. They very nonchalantly said "it must have a crack or hole." No apologies, no inspection of the raft, no reaction at all. The river was great but do not waste your time or money with this place.

Nick D.

2022-05

We have been floating here since 2014 and they have always been great! The staff works their tails off everyday, especially Jimmy!! Occasionally they are short staffed or extra busy but considering the nature of the business that is to be expected and unavoidable. Relax, have a beer and enjoy the river. No one does it better than Hootentown!

J ROSE

2022-05

Hands down family friendly, great floatI absolutely loved this place. We are going back next weekend. The staff here are the friendliest of any campground I have ever experienced. More than willing to help they even took us up in our own vehicle dropped us off and drove our vehicle down for us and all we had to do was float and take out

Frances Ervin

2022-05

My family and I fell in love with this place a few years ago, we've always gone paid for our spot then floated and had a great time. I called this year rented my tubes asked if spots were still first come first serve and was told yes. I show up to get my spot where we have spent the last several years and was told I could not just grab a spot. My husband and myself had arranged our work schedules to be able to get the spot. After the rude lady at the counter threw a couple spots at me she said the "location" of my sites. I am a very laid back person so I tried to find it for 30 minutes. They have poles but no numbered markers on half the sites. So I sent my daughter to get more information. She was told a number! So we spent another hour looking before I went in and got a map. No one offered to show me where my site was, and treated me like I was wasting their time. I'm saddened by the way the staff treated us, and the new system. Hootentown was our spot, they used to treat us like family and everything was clean and good. Now you can tell it's all for profit, and you couldn't even sit on the toilet seat. So my family will just have to find a new spot.

beslim15

2021-05

My family planned a float trip and used Hootentown. The reservation process was simple. All we had to do was call and tell them what we wanted, when we wanted it and give our name. When we arrived things were a bit chaotic. It took 20 minutes of standing in line to register. after registering it was almost an hour before they called our name for transportation. the transportation made multiple stops and it took another 30 minutes before we were on the water. Other places we have planned float trips through had the kayaks at the start point already and it took much less time.Other than the river being a bit low the actual float was awesome. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and there are many places to stop and relax or have a picnic. The kayaks we rented were not new by any means but were in good working order and even had a water proof storage which was awesome. I would go back but plan to arrive earlier to make up for the disorganization.

Tracy Cassidy

2020-05

Love this place! Diane and her crew are the kindest people ever! They do anything you need to make your experience very memorable! Been coming out here for 11yrs, and look forward to many more! Love you all! Thank you for what you do!

Sherry Alexander

2022-05

We called ahead and got info. They said that we could come at anytime and that 2pm was the last time they put people on the water. We got there around noon. We payed. At 2:30pm they were finally getting a buss to take us to the water. They had refunded us our money and we were to go for free. The temp was 94 degrees out. The majority of our group no longer wanted to go. They were too hot and upset. We decided to just leave. It was great that they offered to give us our money back and to go for free but they should of said that they could Not accommodate our group. We could of went on a did something else or booked another day. It kinda of ruined a portion of our day. We traveled 6 hours for our vacation.

Sue ODell

2021-05

Don’t go to Hootentown!We called ahead and reserved our kayaks for a Wednesday. They told us to be there by 9:00. We arrived at 8:45 ready to go. We got paid and sat waiting for the shuttle. We waited over 2 hours before they took us to the river!! There were others in the same situation as us. Our driver was new and he knew nothing about the area or the river. We finally got on the river about 11:45ish! Ridiculous! We will never go to Hootentown again!

Jim Wadkins

2023-05

We float here at least 2 or 3 times a year. Very friendly staff and they want to make sure that you have a great day on the river. Highly recommend!!!!!

Renee Lowry

2018-05

Have had many decent/typical experiences over the years.... but last time was not. Had to call several times to get an answer. We weren't given a bag for our trash. We had to wait an hour before being hauled to our drop off. Told we couldnt do the long float because we'd be back after 6... ok, but but we got back around 430. The drivers were frustrated and we had way too many people on the shuttle for it to be safe especially on those back roads. We will return and hope that next time is better

Angie D

2019-05

Beautiful location, water was clean and clear, not trashy at all. Friendly people who repeatedly caught my kids' floaties that for away from them. The only bad part is you DEFINITELY need water shoes or old shoes that you don't care about because the rocks are SUPER slippery and some are jagged. But for only $3 a carful, I'm not complaining. Lots of shade trees :)

Tiffany Orellana

2018-05

We love this place! They treat you like friends and really care about your safety. We appreciate that very much as we take our small children with us. The place is always clean when we go, and that's always a plus.