East Gate

Area Status: Open

East Gate Access is a small gravel boat/canoe access for the Big Piney River.

Starting from East Gate and floating down the river you can do a nice short paddle of 3 miles to Crossroads River Access, or a longer trip of 11 miles to Bookers Bend.

Starting upriver, and traveling downriver from Slabtown to East Gate you can paddle or boat to Ross Bridge, a 10 mile trip. This section is faster and shallower. Between Ross Bridge and East Gate, a 12-mile float, you will be floating through Fort Leonard Wood. Ross Bridge will be the last take-out before you float through Fort Leonard Wood.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	For Stream Flow and Flooding forecast visit the USGS website
Operational Hours:	Quiet Hours: 10pm to 6am
Rentals & Guides:	There are no outfitters authorized to operate at this location. Check with the http://www.missouricanoe.org/ for information on rentals.
Area Amenities:	Parking
Fees:	No fees
Open Season:	January - December
Usage:	Light
Restrictions:	Fireworks are prohibited. Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash Follow the Leave No Trace Principles No glass or polystyrene on the river. No trash containers; please pack out all your trash. No camping
Closest Towns:	Fort Leonard Wood Military Post/St. Robert, MO; Rolla, MO
Water:	None
Restroom:	None
Operated By:	USDA Forest Service
Information Center:	Houston/Rolla/Cedar Creek Ranger District Email \| Phone and Address

General Information

Directions:

From Rolla,

head west on Interstate 44 for 16 miles;
Take exit 169 for Hwy J, follow Hwy J to the left/south for 10 miles.
Follow the signs to Fort Leonard Wood on East Gate Road. Fort Leonard Wood access is not necessary.
Make a slight right onto East Gate Road and drive for 1 mile.
The access site is on the right, before the bridge for the Big Piney River.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

River and Stream Fishing

This river has variating runs and riffles with some pools. The bottom is mostly gravel.

State regulations apply.

The boat launch is single-lane gravel launch.

The bottom of the river is gravel, and can be a little murky when it rains. This is a smallmouth bass special management area with M-DOC and is stocked with bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass

Fish Species	smallmouth, largemouth, rock bass (or google-eye), panfish
Special Designations	Smallmouth Bass Special Management Area
Fishing Mode	boat, shore, wade
Fishing Platform	None
Water Temperature	cold
Fishing Method	fly, pole/rod & reel

Boating - Motorized

This area has a dirt and gravel boat ramp, and is suitable for launching a motorboat or non- motorized watercraft.

This is a great, family-friendly river for those looking for a leisurely trip with beautiful scenery. The river is fed by numerous springs and is usually floatable year-round, unless it’s been particularly dry.

The river at this launch is deep and slower moving.