Mile 75.3 - RBD Apple Creek

John Ruskey

20 Apr 2026

75.3 RBD Apple Creek

Paddlers will notice a line of red cliffs that line the river right bank descending along the Missouri shore for several miles between Cottonwood Island and Apple Creek. Apple Creek Conservation area and access is 2 miles off the river up Apple Creek at 75.3 RBD. Good access out of the wind, waves and other irrationalities of the big river. Remote access from Cape Girardeau via I-55, US 61, Mo C, and Mo CC. The Apple River carves its bends into cliffs made of layered limestone. If the water’s above 10 feet on the Chester Gage you can easily paddle out of the floodplain and into the rolling foothills of the Ozarks.

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