Canoeing in MO

[nictodisney]

Each year the family all meets for a group canoe trip on the Merrimac River in MO. We've stayed at Blue Springs Ranch and used their Services a few times. This year we would like to find a cabin to stay in on the river and try one of the smaller rivers to give the kids some excitement. (The Merrimac is great but they want rapids -just a few) We don't want to do any farther from St Louis than we have to since that's already 3 hours to drive for our farthest group. We use to do the Black River but haven't in years. Emminence is too far. Anyone have experience in the area? Thanks!