The Gasconade River gives the county its name and a floating destination

The Gasconade River, which gives the county its name, is a long, winding Ozark-border stream that joins the Missouri River. For residents and visitors it is a destination for floating, paddling, and fishing, with public access typically through conservation areas and accesses rather than private land. The Missouri Department of Conservation manages river accesses and publishes fishing and access information, making it the reliable source for where and how to get on the water legally. The practical step is to plan a float or fishing trip around official access points and current conditions, and to check water levels before going, since river conditions change. Avoid assuming any particular stretch is floatable year-round.