Grand Falls, Joplin

One of my favorite area's to tube, Grand falls offers great views of nature & an awesome tube ride. Just across the highways on the outskirts of town, there's a great campground. The owner allowed us to park there for a few dollars, then our family would get dropped off at Grand falls. Entering just below the falls, the tube ride to the car took about 1 hour, depending on the flow of the river. There is one area downstream where you might have to adjust your tube , or get out & move to a deeper area, but it only happened one time. There is also a couple minute rapids area that's really fun. You'll have the chance to see some turtles, snake,ducks, cranes & an occasional cow on the ride.In some area's the trees overhead touch & you are completely in the shade. Truely breathtaking & relazing! We never went when the river was really flowing, because of the possibility of debris, but all in all, our families favorite tube ride anywhere.

I was married there 32 years ago and have great pictures and memories

Being from a small state (Illinois) and moving down to Missouri, this was a very neat place to see. Now I take the kids out there all the time to see the falls, clime the rocks, and most of swim. It is really fun but be very cautios or it can get dangerous especially when the current is strong. If you have the chance, you should definately check it out.