We booked last minute at Gracies for a float trip down the Elk. We've floated the Elk before but had never stayed at Gracies. It wasn't a horrible experience, but we won't be back. We rented a four person cabin as we like AC and are not campers. The cabin was super tiny but nice and cool. There's not any space inside the cabin for hanging out. Definitely room for sleeping only. Despite the small size, the cabin was clean and worked great for sleeping! Typically we book places with private bathrooms, and although the community bathrooms were relatively clean (considering it's a campground), there wasn't any hot water for showers. The biggest drawback to Gracies was the smell. Normally, we'd like to spend more time outside but the place smelled of sewage and there was no escaping it. The smell really put a damper on our trip. We even walked around the camp hoping to escape the smell and had no luck. Despite the DJ, we didn't find the campgrounds to be overly loud. However, if our neighbors had been there to party, I could see how the close quarters could result in lack of sleep. read more

I can honestly say I cannot relate with ANY of the negative reviews that have been left. The staff was incredibly nice and accommodating. When I called to make the reservation the lady who answered was very clear about their rentals policies and pricing. As soon as we got to Gracie's the guys at the gate made check-in super easy and even drove our party to our cabins. They offered to bring us ice for our coolers as well as take our coolers down on a trailer to the beach the day we floated. When the float was done they unloaded our raft and loaded all of our coolers onto the bus. We stayed in cabins 7&6. They were clean and perfect for what we were using them for, to sleep. It's about a 2 minute walk to the clean swim beach and a minute walk to the bath house from these cabins. We actually forgot our Bluetooth speaker and found the DJ pretty awesome. The music wasn't too loud at all! The environment was very kid friendly. So just to recap, the staff is incredible, the grounds are super clean, and the swim beach is beautiful. I can say without a doubt that we will most definitely be back to camp at Gracie's! read more

Gracies Canoe Camp - Sunset over the swim beach from the fire pit by our cabin. - Campgrounds Near Me

We had a great time. The staff were all very helpful even went out of their way to help us with carrying our coolers delivering ice when we needed it and just making sure we was having a good time. The campgrounds and cabins were well taken care of and very clean. I would recommend Gracie's Canoe Camp to anyone looking to take their family and friends to camp and float. Great people! I'm looking forward to visiting them again. read more

Used to be my family and friends favorite spot to camp and float for a long time. We have 100% moved to Big Elk up the road. The main attraction has moved to weekend party and drink festivities, which is great but the prices reflect this. Cabins have become more expensive, floating is more expensive, RV rentals, camping and their price per head as well. We've been turned down 3-4 times now trying to rent a non-weekend spot for a one day weekday float because our reservations were not early enough in advance. Just move up the road for nicer customer service, same day rentals and reservations and a better cost efficient experience. Had a bunch of fun years with you Mr. Ray, thank you. read more

Great family owned and operated establishment. Our families favorite place to stay for multiple stays per year. The owners Ray & son Alec have always taken care of us. read more

The management here is terrible. A group of friends tried to stay here two years ago. A large sum of money was paid to reserve camp sites on a busy weekend. Prior to paying the reservation fees, my friend asked what would happen if the weather didn't hold up. The only answer the staff could give was that that it "wouldn't happen." This was said several times. However, with the it being the only weekend our large group of friends could coordinate to be together, we decided to go ahead and give them her money. Of course, the weather did not hold up. Gracie's canoe camp then contacted my friend and warned us not to come. We didn't make that call, they did. Of course, she wanted to know what would happen to the large amount of money she paid them. They told her they were keeping it, and she would not be issued a refund. Which is a terrible, terrible policy. First of all because the entire weekend was paid for, ZERO services were rendered, and we weren't the ones who decided not to come--THEY TOLD US NOT TO. With a lot of coercing, the staff said they would mercifully grant HALF of the money we paid back, in a credit. The question was posed "what if our busy, working, young friends can't get back together for a different weekend?" They assured us that our credit would never expire. Cut to two years later. We've all managed to get the same weekend off, arrange for kids and dogs to be taken care of, etc. We caravan down to Butt Fuck, MO and are greeted by a man with an aggressive, harried, pit bull of a personality. We come to the window to claim our reserved spots, and of course they act as if they haven't heard a thing about it. We explain to them that that our sites are paid for, we have the site numbers, etc. We wait for about 15 minutes. All the while, it is late evening, daylight is burning, and we still haven't had time to make camp. After watching him and his staff twiddle their thumbs for long enough, we flag him down, and inform him that our sites were reserved under a credit. He immediately puffs his chest up, and explains that they don't give credits. I patiently tell him that they do in fact give credits, because we have one, as well as reserved sites. He stalks off, pissed off, shuffles his papers around, and comes back. He informs us that they finally found our reservation, but that they aren't going to honor it, because our credit it is over a year old. DESPITE THE FACT THAT OUR CREDIT IS ALREADY ONLY HALF OF THE MONEY WE GAVE HIM. AND WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR CREDIT DIDN'T HAVE AN EXPIRATION. Again, I calmly explain that we have a reservation and that we know our site numbers. He says "Well I can't let you in without a confirmation number." I call my friend on the road, she emails it to me. I tell him we have one. He stomps off, even more angry. He comes back, and says that they're going to "allow" us to use the camp sites, even though it's against his policy. He also makes sure to add that his staff made a huge mistake and that they're "getting chewed out right now." (Because some how informing us that he is yelling at a teenager underling will make us feel better about his disorganized and dishonest credit policy.) He also tells us that even though the confusion is cleared up, and our sites are paid for, we can't go to them until the friend who made our reservation is there to sign for it. IT IS NOW ALMOST DARK OUT. Of course, my friend that made the reservation is on her way in a separate car, and won't be there for an hour or more. We explain this to him. He informs us that he won't allow us in, unless we each pay 10 dollars for a wrist band. EVEN THOUGH WE'VE ALREADY PAID. In the mean time, we have another friend who is alone in a cabin (RIGHT NEXT TO OUR EMPTY TENT SITES) already setting up his camp for the weekend. We ask if we can go be with him in the cabin until the rest of our party shows up. He informs us that because the cabin has been paid for, and that it holds 4 people, and he is in the cabin alone, three of us can go in. There were 4 of us in the car. Which leaves one person hanging out at the gate. Alone. After negotiating this deal, it is now completely dark. We've driven three hours to get there. No one has eaten. We have all wasted daylight not being able to set up our tents, etc. The scenery is beautiful. The grounds are accommodating. Nice clean showers and bathrooms, etc. THE DJ plays exclusively redneck music & early 2000s hip hop. Clothes and teeth are optional on the dance floor. Do not expect to sleep well and get up early for your float trip. The music is so loud you can't drown it out with headphones in your tent, and goes on until about 1 or 2 AM. There is a play ground meant for children, but I DON'T recommend kids come here. Way too many boobs, rebel flags, and ways to drown on a drunken busy float weekend. I love a good party, but this one seems to cater exclusively to good ol boys hoping to grind on their friends hammered, naked wives. read more

Came here with a group of 15. First day was spent on the beach drinking beer and just hanging out. We had a good time. Stayed in one of the large cabins with bathroom, shower, microwave and refrigerator. Was nice to prepare meals and not have to walk to the public shower to use it. Rained like cats and dogs the first night, porch was nice to have to stay dry. Next day we floated. They wouldn't let us take our fishing poles on the rafts which was weird to me, every other campground I've stayed at has let us use them. They said the hooks would cut holes in the raft. Hell the tree branches with sharp edges will cut your skin so I seriously doubt if a fishing hook would cut a hole in the raft. They play loud music on Sat and Sun so if you like a quiet camping site don't come here. That said, I would stay again, but it wouldn't be my first choice. read more

Gracie's Canoe Camp Is the best & worst time that can behead you. Big Sugar? Sure it is.....OK it does have a few shady beaches. Hey It's the float thats always most suspenseful starting from this point look out. Dangers ..snakes, tree branches, other canoes, bad tattoo's... Just say'n Did you see my stuff float by? How could it happen? Gracie's for a night just found out the very basic but I'm not roughing IT on the ground accommodations, tiny cabins! Cute and Do bring what you need Thou Art including the beer but Beware NO glass bottles, safely is always job 1 on the river. Yes it's elating, sometimes way to wild for me but honestly honey some of the best times we've had happened at Gracie's Canoe Camp. read more

These people kicked out three veterans, two being purple heart recipients on the fourth of July weekend. We had two people not make the deadline and instead of them being worried about the customer they were more worried about see the fireworks. I have never seen so many children run a place I do not know how this place is still open. The bugs from the cabin are still in my gear. Do not go to this place. I will never come back. Oh by the way, the skydiver coming down would have been a lot more cool if he diddnt drag the American flag all over the ground during landing... read more

Will never return to this place. Ever. We were kicked out on the night of the 4th because my fiance rode his Harley around the campground (because several people asked him too) with the LED lights on. Simply celebrating our country's freedom is apparently frowned upon by these people. The 3 black employees tried to yank him off the bike and called him a "white cracker" then proceeded to call the police to remove us from the premises. We paid almost $1000 for 4 nights in a cabin just to get away and were then treated like crap. Disappointed is an understatement and we will take our business elsewhere in the future. I have no idea how this place is even still in business. read more

I was planning a float trip with a group of friends and we chose this place because it had cabins to accommodate our non-tent sleepers. We rented 3 two person cabins that consist of an outside porch and shelf (handy for organizing your stuff), a full size bed, outlet, window unit AC and that's it. They are TINY but get the job done. There is a headboard to put your phone, wallet, and other small items, and the bed is high so you can store your bags underneath. Kept the bugs out and kept us cool. The bathrooms are clean. There are only four showers for the women and two of them were not hot. We received good service from everyone we encountered, including on the phone when we were making reservations and asking questions. If you like quiet, primitive campgrounds with few amenities, this is NOT it. This has more of a party vibe. It was packed the weekend we were there (the last weekend in July), and there was a DJ on both Friday and Saturday night that played until 11pm-midnight. The music is SO loud that there is no escaping it. Once all the drinkers are wound up from the loud music, they didn't settle down until 1am or so. Imagine trying to sleep in the lobby outside a wedding reception...that's what it was like at night. Luckily our AC drowned out some of the sound, but not all of it. There is playground equipment and a sand volleyball court that is highlighted in lights so my crew did play a late night game of volleyball. We also enjoyed sitting on the rocky beach by the river, which is right where you put in when you rent a canoe/kayak/raft from Gracie's. We were usually the only ones down there in the early mornings and afternoons, and we enjoyed that. Two people in our group brought their own kayaks and they were charged a $10 transport fee to be picked up and shuttled back with the rest of us. The weekend we floated this section of the river it was like floating down Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. Most rafts had loud speakers. LOTS of drinking. Guys were throwing beads at girls to flash their boobs, several rafts/kayaks would strap together forming a logjam in the river. There are many large campgrounds like Gracie's close by and it just seems to draw that crowd. This is not really my scene, but I was with a good bunch of friends and we tried to make the best of it. Though it was entertaining, if we come back we will try to make it during the week when it is, hopefully, quieter. I've read other reviews that said they were strict with noise restrictions. I really wish that had been the case the weekend we had been there. We had fun in spite of the drunks and the noise. read more

Do not stay here! The cabins are soooo misrepresented TOTALLY! Our cabin was $250 a night and had...wait for it...a dirty plywood floor, corrugated metal bathroom about 2x4 feet, and sleeps 6? Um yeah if you realize that you're 60 years old and are going to be climbing up a ladder to a crawl space/loft and crawling on your knees onto a bare mattress. Photos are completely deceptive...our "sleeps 6" cabin was maybe 120 square feet. It had a deck but...no chairs. It was maybe smaller than a "tiny"home. So to top it off...d j BLASTS baddddd music over entire campground starting at 7 pm and lasting until at least 10. Soooo obnoxious! It was so bad we refused to stay there. Of course were denied a refund of our 500 plus dollars ...2 nights of reservations. Soooo overpriced and not an honest representation of what you're paying for. read more

Never again. We floated the day after a storm. It was myself, husband and six year old son. I was a loyal customer and loved this campground, but we will never go back. The river was not yet rising, but the current was swift. We called that morning and was assured by a worker everything was fine. We put in and not even a minute into the float two rafts cut in front of us. We were trying to paddle around them when they hit a branch sticking out of the water. This was right in front of Gracie's and nobody warned us. When they hit we attempted to paddle around. We would have made it but someone on the raft grabbed our canoe and we hit the branch. It literally snapped our canoe in half. I was in the front so when I was thrown out of the canoe I rolled under it and was being carried downriver with the current. I could not swim out of it so I grabbed onto a tree that was down in the river. My husband was able to touch and somehow fought the current to get back tou our son who was trapped in the canoe that was still stuck on the branch. It was at an angle so his head was covered with water. My husband got him lose after a fight because his legs were being smashed. He took him to shore then came back out and I had to jump and grab his hand. We lost everything including shoes. We needed help and not a single person came to get us. My husband had to run barefoot on the rocks and ask for someone to come get us. My sons legs were indented from the bar on the canoe and he was screaming in pain. We sat there for 20 minutes when they seen it all happen and could see us sitting on the rocks. After we got help they were great and assisted in getting our keys that were still trapped in the canoe. When I called later that day and asked if we can get a forty dollar credit since we didn't get to float the worker said yes. About an hour later she called back and the owner said no credit will be given, and that their canoe was destroyed. For one, if their equipment cannot withstand the elements they should never allow it in the water and secondly they should not have allowed anyone to float because within an hour the river was rising fast. My sons legs are bruised, but he is ok. Please go to another campground. This owner is careless and money hungry. read more

Gracies Canoe Camp - Is this what you call quality? - Campgrounds Near Me

When we first got there we thought it was beautiful but honestly everything in Pineville is! We were recommended by family to stay there because they thought it would be nice and they knew the owners. As I was pulling in they told us we couldn't have our family over for a bbq I thought ok that's very strict but ok. Well it turns out our family couldn't even return my husbands lost wallet to him! We were in full view of the front office and I had no idea they had even come till they called us to say they couldn't get on, Gracies wouldn't even tell us they were there. My cousin had to a police officer bring it to us. To add insult to injury since this was all done in the name of keeping everything nicer for us, there was no hot water in the first two girls showers we tried had to move to two more and coordinate with my daughter how far we turn each knob or froze or burnt the the other shower! When I sat down on one of the toilets, the whole toilet tips and water sprays out from where the toilet meets the floor. No WiFi when other parks in the area have it as a matter of fact we sometimes had no service. Because of all this and the final straw was when my family was treated so rudely we decided to leave two days early and were told we would not receive a refund for the two days we were NOT staying!! Unbelievable so don't stay there! All of this went on with us being one of the only campers staying there! Everyone had left and by Sunday mid morning there was no one around we thought they might lighten up but when my family came by with the wallet it was Sunday night. We will also be contacting the city business bureau so others don't make the mistake of recommending them! The woman who spoke to my husband was so rude and talked over him that he finally gave up and walked away. We came here to visit family and see the river. There are so many options here pick another don't stay at Gracie's. They charge for every single person in your group over 7, I've never seen that before usually it is a charge by the site. We are full time RVing for the summer and have stayed in many places from CA to Mo this has been our worst experience so far! read more