Minnesota | Tettegouche
Baptism RiverEckbeck Campground to Tettegouche river-mouth take-out
Expert lower Baptism run through Illgen Falls, the mandatory High Falls portage, Two Step, and the Narrows before exiting at the river mouth without a Lake Superior paddling segment.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
A short-mileage but full-commitment waterfall run with multiple scouts and carries.
Access map
Put-in
Eckbeck Campground river accessConfirm campground access, parking, and seasonal road conditions before driving.
Take-out
Tettegouche river-mouth take-outExit from the river at the mapped mouth access; Lake Superior is not part of this route.
Road shuttle
Stage the downstream vehicle in the Tettegouche/Highway 61 corridor, then return to Eckbeck Campground for the put-in.
More route and safety guidance
- High Falls is a mandatory portage. Leave the river above the Superior Hiking Trail bridge and verify the complete carry and re-entry from land.
- The 300-450 cfs guidance is not a blanket go signal. Cancel for a rising hydrograph, blocked portages, unsafe hydraulics, new wood, or any Lake Superior exposure at the finish.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Detailed weather
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Reach and difficulty3.8 miles; Class II-V
American Whitewater documents the Eckbeck start, Illgen Falls, mandatory High Falls portage, Two Step, Narrows/Cascades, and mapped take-out.
- Direct flow model200 / 300-450 / 500 cfs
American Whitewater identifies 200 cfs as a low runnable Illgen reference, 300-450 cfs as optimal, and above 500 cfs as having serious consequences.
- Direct telemetryDNR 01092001 near the finish
The active station at Highway 61 reports current stage and discharge on the Baptism River.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
Nearby routes within 75 miles
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