Why you need it
Most Ozark rivers lose cell service the moment you launch. Regular map apps go blank, and it’s easy to lose track of how far you’ve come or how long until take-out. Float Mode fixes that: your phone’s GPS keeps working with no signal, so as long as you save the river before you go, you always know where you are on the river.
This is what you’ll see on the water.
One glance at the screen above tells you everything: where you are, where you’re headed, and how much is left. No menus, no fuss.
The blue dot is you
It slides down the river in real time as you paddle, so you always know which bend you’re on.
Miles to take-out
The bottom bar names your take-out and counts down the distance so you know exactly when to pull off.
Progress bar & %
A simple bar and percentage show how much of the float is behind you - great for pacing the day.
Four steps to a navigated float.
Do the first two at home on wifi. The last two happen on the water - no signal required.
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Pick your river & trip
Choose one of our 21 Ozark rivers, then pick your put-in and take-out. Float Mode maps that exact stretch of water.
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Save it while you still have signal
Tap “Save this river for offline” and the map downloads to your phone.
Do this at home on wifi, or in the parking lot before you launch - it needs a connection just this once. -
Launch it on the water
Open Float Mode when you put in. It loads your saved map instantly and finds your position by GPS, even with no bars.
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Glance down & go
A live “you are here” dot moves down the river with you. See the distance to your take-out and your percent complete at a glance.
Float Mode keeps your screen awake so it’s ready every time you look.
Spot a hazard? Drop a pin.
Ozark rivers change with every flood - a new strainer or log jam can appear overnight. When you pass something sketchy, tap the red + button and drop a marker right at your GPS spot. It’s saved to the map so the next paddler gets a heads-up before they reach it.
Markers are quick to drop and smart about staying current: a permanent low-water dam sticks around for good, while a “too shallow” note fades in a week because it depends on the water level. Paddlers can confirm a hazard is still there, which keeps the map trustworthy.
Hazards you can mark:
- 🪵 Strainer
- 🚨 Low dam
- 🚧 Log jam
- ⚠️ Fence / wire
- 🌿 Sweeper
- 🌊 Rapid
- 🪨 Too shallow
- 📍 Other caution
Mark a hazard here
Dropped at your GPS spot · helps the next paddler.
Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
Live “you are here” dot
Watch your position move down the river in real time so you never wonder which bend you’re on.
Distance & progress
See how far it is to your take-out and exactly what percent of the float you’ve finished.
Works with no signal
GPS doesn’t need cell service. Save the river once and navigate the whole float completely offline.
Put-in & take-out markers
Your start and finish are pinned right on the map, so you know when it’s time to pull off the water.
No app store, no account
It runs right in your web browser. Nothing to install from a store, no sign-up, no cost.
Screen stays awake
Float Mode keeps your display on while you float, so it’s ready the instant you glance down.
Jump into Float Mode from anywhere.
You don’t have to hunt for it. Wherever you’re looking at a river on the site, there’s a “Live GPS” or “Open Float Mode” button that drops you straight in - already set to that river.
From the live map
Open the map, tap a river, and hit the Float Mode button to launch its live GPS view.
Open the mapFrom a river guide
Every river guide has a “Live GPS” link for its float, pre-loaded with that river’s route.
Browse riversStraight into the tool
Or open Float Mode directly, pick your river and your put-in → take-out, and go.
Open Float ModeCommon questions.
Does it really work with no cell service?
Yes. Your phone’s GPS chip talks to satellites, not cell towers, so it keeps finding your location even with zero bars. The one thing that does need a connection is downloading the river map - so save your river before you lose signal (at home on wifi is easiest).
Do I have to install an app?
No. Float Mode runs in your normal web browser - there’s nothing to download from the App Store or Play Store. If you’d like it to open full-screen like an app (and keep your saved maps handy), you can optionally add it to your home screen in about 30 seconds.
Will it drain my battery?
Live GPS and keeping the screen awake do use power, so start your float with a full charge and consider a small power bank for long days. You can also lock your phone between glances - GPS picks right back up when you wake it.
How accurate is the location?
On open water with a clear view of the sky, GPS is usually accurate to within a few metres. Float Mode shows the accuracy and quietly ignores weak, jumpy fixes so the dot stays steady instead of teleporting around.
Which rivers are supported?
All 21 of our Ozark rivers work in Float Mode. Most have a full offline map you can save; a few are “online only” for now (the route and GPS still work, you just need signal for the background map). You’ll see which is which when you pick a river.
Ready to navigate your next float?
Pick your river, save it before you go, and never wonder where you are on the water again.