Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Area Local whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information. Although Joplin, Missouri is not a place known for great whitewater paddling there still is some at a reasonable distance. You'll find some good whitewater in the list below to fit any ability level. All the whitewater is pretty far away as you can see so you'd better plan for a long drive. If you pick the right whitewater spot you will have a great trip. HIGH QUALITY TOPO MAP, CLICK HERE Important Whitewater Safety Information Whitewater paddling spots near Joplin, Missouri: Whitewater 0 to 25 miles from Joplin, Missouri Shoal Creek, Missouri, Ritchey to low-water bridge about 1 mile southwest of Highway 43, 5 miles away, class I, 31.3 miles long. Whitewater 25 to 50 miles from Joplin, Missouri Whitewater 50 to 75 miles from Joplin, Missouri Blackburn Creek, Arkansas, Devils Den State Park to Highway 220, 75 miles away, class II-III, 8 miles long. Fall Creek, Arkansas, Strickler to Lee Creek, 73 miles away, class III, 12 miles long. Illinois River, Arkansas, Prairie Grove to Robinson Road, 56 miles away, class I-II, 14.5 miles long. Illinois River, Arkansas, Robinson Road to Highway 16, 52 miles away, class I-II, 13.7 miles long. Illinois River, Arkansas, Highway 16 to Arkansas 59, 53 miles away, class I-II, 5.1 miles long. Kings River, Arkansas, Highway 74 to Missouri 86, 73 miles away, class I-II, 67 miles long. Lee Creek, Arkansas, Devils Den State Park to Highway 220, 75 miles away, class II-III, 8.4 miles long. War Eagle Creek, Arkansas, Highway 23 to War Eagle Mill, 68 miles away, class I-II, 38 miles long. White River - Middle Fork, Arkansas, Arnett to Hicks, 69 miles away, class II, 1.75 miles long. White River - West Fork, Arkansas, Woolsey to Greenland, 64 miles away, class I-II, 11 miles long. Roaring River, Missouri, Roaring River State Park to Highway 86, 50 miles away, class I-II, 5.8 miles long. Flint Creek, Oklahoma, US 412 to Fidler's Bend, 54 miles away, class II(IV), 1 miles long. Illinois River, Oklahoma, Playspot at Echota, 72 miles away, class II, 0 miles long. Spring Creek, Oklahoma, Low Water Bridge by Peggs, 72 miles away, class II, 0 miles long. Whitewater 75 to 100 miles from Joplin, Missouri Adkins / Hailstone Creek, Arkansas, Dixon Ridge Road to Highway 21 bridge, 95 miles away, class III-V, 13 miles long. Beech Creek, Arkansas, Cave MtNorth Road to Highway 21, 92 miles away, class III-V, 7.5 miles long. Ben Doodle Branch, Arkansas, Camping area to Highway 220, 76 miles away, class IV-V, 7.5 miles long. Boen Gulf Branch, Arkansas, Headwaters to Buffalo River, 94 miles away, class III-V(V+), 10.4 miles long. Boulder Creek, Arkansas, Headwaters to Henson Creek, 99 miles away, class IV-V+, 2.6 miles long. Broadwater Hollow, Arkansas, Park Boundary to Cecil Creek, 95 miles away, class III-IV(V), 0.25 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, NFR 1463 to Highway 21, 94 miles away, class II-III+, 13.6 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Boxley to Ponca, 93 miles away, class II, 6.1 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Ponca to Kyles, 94 miles away, class II, 10.6 miles long. Buffalo River, Arkansas, Kyles to Pruitt, 100 miles away, class I-II, 13.1 miles long. Cedar Creek, Arkansas, Confluence to Rudy, 86 miles away, class II, 7.7 miles long. Cedar Creek - East Fork, Arkansas, Hobbitown to Cedar Creek, 85 miles away, class II+, 2.8 miles long. Cedar Creek - West Fork, Arkansas, Highway 162 to Cedar Creek, 85 miles away, class II+, 1.9 miles long. Clark Creek, Arkansas, Lost Valley, 92 miles away, class II-IV, 1 miles long. Clear Creek, Arkansas, Chester to Mountainburg, 81 miles away, class II-III, 6 miles long. Frog Bayou, Arkansas, Mountainburg to Lancaster Bridge, 83 miles away, class I-II, 13.5 miles long. Frog Bayou, Arkansas, Lancaster Bridge to Rudy, 86 miles away, class II, 8 miles long. Hart Creek, Arkansas, to Highway 220, 77 miles away, class III-IV(V), 4 miles long. Horsehead Creek - West Fork, Arkansas, FR 1445A to Horsehead Creek, 98 miles away, class III-IV+, 5 miles long. HuRivericane Creek, Arkansas, ShoReservoir Lake to Highway 215, 87 miles away, class II+, 9 miles long. Kings River, Arkansas, Dripping Springs to Highway 74, 85 miles away, class III+, 11 miles long. Lee Creek, Arkansas, Highway 220 to NFS Access, 77 miles away, class II+, 3 miles long. Little Mill Creek, Arkansas, Three Forks to Mill Creek takeout, 87 miles away, class III-IV, 2.75 miles long. Little Mill Creek - East Fork, Arkansas, Close to Fern to Little Mill Creek, 87 miles away, class III-V, 4 miles long. Little Mill Creek - Middle Fork, Arkansas, Close to Fern to Little Mill Creek, 87 miles away, class III-IV, 4.25 miles long. Little Mulberry Creek, Arkansas, County Road 104 to County Road 105, 92 miles away, class II-IV, 5 miles long. Mill Creek, Arkansas, Devil's Canyon to Highway 215, 86 miles away, class III+, 5.2 miles long. Mormon Creek, Arkansas, Headwaters to Mill Creek, 86 miles away, class IV(V), 1.5 miles long. Mulberry River, Arkansas, Wolf Pen Recreation Area to Redding Campground, 91 miles away, class I-III, 12 miles long. Mulberry River, Arkansas, Redding Campground to Highway 23, 88 miles away, class I-III, 3.6 miles long. Mulberry River, Arkansas, Highway 23 to Campbell's Cemetery, 88 miles away, class I-II, 10 miles long. Mulberry River, Arkansas, Campbell's Cemetery to Highway 215, 89 miles away, class I-II, 16 miles long. Osage Creek, Arkansas, Compton to Carroll County Road 11, 91 miles away, class III-IV, 6 miles long. Spirits Creek, Arkansas, County Road 76 to County Road 2434, 86 miles away, class III, 4 miles long. White River, Arkansas, Pettigrew to Elkins, 75 miles away, class I-II, 37 miles long. Blue River, Missouri, Blue Ridge Road to Red Bridge Road, 100 miles away, class I(II), 3 miles long. * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the middle of the river section listed, actual driving distance is longer. Other Outdoors Recreation Nearby: Ski Resorts near Joplin, Missouri: Ski Areas 250 to 300 miles from Joplin, Missouri Seven Oaks, Iowa, 259 miles, vertical drop 275 feet Hidden Valley, Missouri, 272 miles, vertical drop 250 feet Ski Areas 300 to 400 miles from Joplin, Missouri Sundown Mountain, Michigan, 375 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Afton Alps, Minnesota, 391 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Welch Village, Minnesota, 391 miles, vertical drop 350 feet Buck Hill, Minnesota, 384 miles, vertical drop 309 feet Hyland Ski, Minnesota, 387 miles, vertical drop 175 feet Mount Kato, Minnesota, 353 miles, vertical drop 240 feet Chestnut Mountain, Illinois, 390 miles, vertical drop 475 feet Ski Snowstar, Illinois, 339 miles, vertical drop 262 feet * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the ski areas listed, actual driving distance is longer. National Parks near Joplin, Missouri: National Parks 0 to 100 miles from Joplin, Missouri George Washington Carver National Monument, 13 miles National Parks 100 to 200 miles from Joplin, Missouri Buffalo National River, 100 miles Hot Springs National Park, 174 miles Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, 164 miles National Parks 200 to 300 miles from Joplin, Missouri Chickasaw National Recreation Area, 229 miles Homestead National Monument of America, 234 miles Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, 242 miles Ozark National Scenic River, 236 miles * Distances listed are direct linear distances from the center of the metro area to the parks listed, actual driving distance is longer. Important Outdoors Safety Information       Go to Missouri Rivers