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Iowa | North Central Iowa
Cedar RiverOsage Spring Park to Road T38 Access
Osage-area upper Cedar connector from Osage Spring Park to Road T38, with frequent shallow riffles, a low pontoon footbridge sweeper hazard, and a downstream Charles City gauge floor.
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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 Osage Spring Park and paddle the short Cedar connector to Road T38. The route fills the gap between the Osage Spring card and the existing T38-to-Idlewild card while foregrounding the low footbridge hazard.
Access map
Put-in
Osage Spring ParkThe guide says shallow rock riffles are frequent at the beginning of the reach.
Take-out
Road T38 AccessSunny Brae Country Club has a low pontoon footbridge that may require a short carry depending on water level and is specifically described as a sweeper hazard.
Road shuttle
Stage at Road T38 south of Osage, then launch from Osage Spring Park. Identify the Sunny Brae low pontoon footbridge from land or satellite before committing.
Additional access notes
- Road T38 is the planned take-out unless the downstream Idlewild route is also staged.
More route and safety guidance
- The route starts with shallow rock riffles. Low water can mean scraping or walking, while rising water reduces time to deal with wood and the footbridge.
- Stop at Road T38 unless the downstream Idlewild shuttle is also staged; do not rely on private banks or golf-course property for routine exits.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
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Measurement notes and coverage
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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.
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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 mileageOsage Spring Park to Road T38 Access, 2.9 mi
The Cedar River Paddling Trips guide lists Osage Spring Park to Road T38 Access as 2.9 miles and publishes coordinates for both endpoints.
- Footbridge hazardLow pontoon footbridge at Sunny Brae
The guide says the low pontoon footbridge may require a short carry depending on level and explicitly calls it a sweeper hazard.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05457700 1,270 cfs / 3.87 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.
- Water-trail contextMitchell County Cedar River Water Trail
Mitchell County identifies Road T38/255 as a Cedar River Water Trail access point south of Osage.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
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Other routes nearby
More on Cedar River
All 25Nearby routes within 75 miles
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