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Iowa | North Central Iowa
Cedar RiverHighway 9 Bridge to Osage Spring Park
Short Osage-area Cedar River water-trail leg from the Highway 9 Bridge to Osage Spring Park, with limestone outcrops and a fish-riffle crossing just before the take-out.
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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
Launch at Highway 9 and paddle the short limestone-outcrop reach to Osage Spring Park, using the guide-described extreme-right line at the fish riffle just above the take-out.
Access map
Put-in
Highway 9 Bridge accessThe fish riffle crosses the river just before Osage Spring Park; scout from shore or portage if the extreme-right route is not obvious or appropriate.
Take-out
Osage Spring ParkThe Charles City gauge is a downstream same-guide-corridor proxy and does not remove the need for local depth checks at Highway 9.
Road shuttle
Stage at Osage Spring Park on Spring Park Road, then launch from the Highway 9 Bridge access west of Osage. Walk the park take-out and riffle approach first.
Additional access notes
- Osage Spring Park is the planned take-out. Do not continue toward the low pontoon footbridge below Spring Park without staging the T38 route.
More route and safety guidance
- Scout or walk the riffle if the line is unclear, especially at low water or with beginners. Do not assume the Charles City gauge captures every shallow spot upstream of Osage.
- Confirm the Osage Spring Park take-out before launching and avoid informal landings on private banks.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
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Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Cedar River at Charles City, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Recent notes from paddlers
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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.
- Official route and mileageHighway 9 Bridge to Osage Spring Park, 1.9 mi
The Cedar River Paddling Trips guide lists Highway 9 Bridge to Osage Spring Park as 1.9 miles and publishes coordinates for both access points.
- Fish-riffle hazardCross at extreme right bank
The guide says a fish riffle crosses the river just before the Osage Spring Park take-out and can be crossed at the extreme right bank.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05457700 at 1,260 cfs / 3.85 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.
- Access and park contextOsage Spring Park, 3540 Spring Park Rd
The guide names Osage Spring Park as the downstream access and publishes its address and coordinates.
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
More on Cedar River
All 25Nearby routes within 75 miles
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