While our adventure did not include camping, we were treated to a gourmet dinner after our paddle. Lewis and Clark camped the first night on a small island in the middle of the river, where the river in 1804 was broader and more meandering than the Missouri River of 2024. Their crew passed Pelican Island, camping at St. Charles, while our expedition made a stop on Pelican Island.
Our experienced guides from Big Muddy Adventures accompanied us every step of the way as we navigated the river in our 29-foot voyageur canoes. Our only provisions were a folding table and some appetizers, served simply as one might expect on an expedition.
Thank you to Explore St. Louis for hosting my stay.
Table of Contents
Pelican Island
The uninhabited river island served the first course in our mini progressive dinner. It was an opportunity to refuel with appetizers and explore the shore. The first canoe in our expedition arrived ahead of us and set up the initial course offerings.
We had time to explore the island, search for arrowheads, observe wildlife, swim, and enjoy appetizers, including spinach dip with carrot sticks and grape leaves, which kicked off our dinner. Our group discovered arrowheads and smooth stones that the waves had worn down. Afterward, we hopped back in the boats and paddled back to our starting point, where the Big Muddy Adventures chef served our dinner by the campfire.
Dinner Around the Campfire
Although your meal may differ, the food will be delicious. The Big Muddy Adventures chef served our dinner buffet-style near the campfire. Our menu included a chopped salad, macaroni and cheese (both with and without mushrooms), and sliced steak with chimichurri sauce. For dessert, we enjoyed packaged chocolates.
If you’re looking for other great restaurants in the St. Louis area, check out this article on “10 Fun Places to Eat in St. Louis | Best Restaurants.”
If You Go
If you decide to have a little dinner adventure while you’re in St. Louis, here are all the details you’ll need.
Who
This family-friendly activity is open to anyone aged 10 and older. No prior paddling experience is necessary; everyone has to start somewhere. As an inexperienced paddler, I initially felt timid but soon found my rhythm. This adventure is suitable for all experience levels.
What
I participated in the Rivertime Supper Club, but Big Muddy Adventures offers various other paddling experiences. You can do everything from a short kayaking experience at the base of the Arch to a multi-day adventure down the Missouri River.
Where
You’ll meet in the late afternoon at a convenient location along the Missouri River. A couple of days before the experience, they will let you know where to meet. It depends on the river water levels.
The team will provide all the necessary equipment for the adventure and shuttle you to the put-in spot upstream. No special equipment or paddling experience is required; everything you need for an enjoyable experience is provided.
When
The Rivertime Supper Club is held on select Thursdays and Saturdays from March through October. Check the website for specific dates.
Enjoy the “golden hour” on the river and an unforgettable meal. You’ll return home in time to put the kids to bed or go out with friends.
Piper’s Pro Planning: While Big Muddy Adventures provides a dry bag for jackets and larger items, consider bringing a clear dry bag for your cell phone and camera if you wish to carry them.
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While Piper is a lifelong Michigander, she’s had adventures worldwide. Bomb-sniffing dogs chased her in the middle of the night in Bogota (working late), gate agents refused her boarding to Paraguay (wrong visa), and US Marshals announced her seat number on a plane while looking for a murder suspect (she’d traded seats). It’s always an adventure! She even finds exciting activities in her home state of Michigan, where she lives in Lansing with her husband, Ross Dingman, her daughter, Alexis, and two granddaughters.
What a fantastic excursion! I love the historical tie-in. Also, we LOVE mushrooms in our mac and cheese- love that little detail you included
What a fun outing! Expending some energy paddling while knowing that someone else is responsible for dinner sounds like a great plan!
What a unique experience, that we likely would not have stumbled on. The combination of appetizers on the island with the meal served after returning sounds ideal.
What a fun, unforgettable experience. How fun to paddle in the same water that Lewis and Clark explored. You’ve added a new experience to my must-do list.