The Big Piney is the county's signature float stream

The Big Piney River starts in the high ground of Texas County. It is the county’s best-known stream for floating and for catching smallmouth bass. The river flows north and joins the Gasconade River. In some spots, the river runs next to or through Mark Twain National Forest land. That means some boat ramps and campsites there follow Forest Service rules. The Forest Service is the agency that manages national forest land. Like other Ozark streams, the Big Piney can rise fast after heavy rain. A calm float can turn dangerous in a hurry. So check the river before you launch. If the water is rising or muddy, that is a signal to stop, not a dare. The Missouri Department of Conservation (the state’s fish and wildlife agency) sets the fishing rules, boating rules, and river access points. Always check your put-in and take-out spots against the official access lists.