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Iowa | North Central Iowa

Cedar RiverAcorn Park to Halvorson Park

Short St. Ansgar-area Cedar River connector from Acorn Park to Halvorson Park, ending above the St. Ansgar dam with official guide coordinates, camping support, and conservative gauge caveats.

Route location

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Distance2.8 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 1 hr to 2 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Cedar River curves past wooded banks beneath a dramatic sky in George Wyth Memorial State Park, Iowa.
River contextCedar River at George Wyth Memorial State Park river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by TheCatalyst31
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow posted Mitchell County and Iowa boating/PFD rules, and keep routine landings to public access areas.
CampingOptions nearbyHalvorson County Park has camping according to the Cedar River guide, so this can support endpoint campground staging. Do not assume camping on private banks between Acorn and Halvorson.
SeasonApr-OctThis short leg is most useful in normal spring-through-fall flows. Low water can scrape through riffles, while higher water shortens the approach time to the St. Ansgar dam take-out.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Acorn Park and paddle the short St. Ansgar-area Cedar River connector to Halvorson Park, ending before the St. Ansgar dam portage.

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Start

Put-in

Acorn Park
DirectionsOpen map

The guide says the St. Ansgar dam must be carried around and identifies the best portage on river right about 50 yards above the dam.

Finish

Take-out

Halvorson Park
DirectionsOpen map

This route should stop at Halvorson unless the downstream dam-portage plan is staged and conditions are clearly appropriate.

Road shuttle

Stage at Halvorson Park south of St. Ansgar and identify the river-right St. Ansgar dam portage/take-out zone before launching from Acorn Park.

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Additional access notes
  • The Charles City gauge is downstream and route-family-level. Inspect current and depth at Acorn before committing.
More route and safety guidance
  • Use the Charles City gauge as a corridor screen only and make a visual call at Acorn because the stale Osage gauge is not a product-ready live source.
  • Do not continue below Halvorson unless the dam portage and downstream Interstate/Bennett plan are staged.
Terms and safety
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Sources and methodology

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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route and mileageAcorn Park to Halvorson Park, 2.8 mi

    The guide lists Acorn Park to Halvorson Park as 2.8 miles and publishes coordinates for both access sites.

    Source

  • Dam portageSt. Ansgar dam, river-right carry

    The guide says it is necessary to carry around the St. Ansgar dam and identifies the best portage on river right about 50 yards above the dam.

    Source

  • Camping and rampHalvorson County Park

    The guide identifies a Halvorson boat ramp and swimming facilities; Iowa DNR's current access GIS locates the concrete ramp at the saved endpoint coordinate. The guide says paddlers may find the campground beach about 100 meters upstream easier to use.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05457700 at 1,270 cfs / 3.86 ft

    This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.

    Source

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Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

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