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Minnesota | Southern Minnesota

Cedar RiverRiverwood Landing to State Line Road

Official MN DNR Cedar River day trip from Riverwood Landing to the Minnesota/Iowa border at State Line Road, with moderate flow, snags, private banks, and a no-parking take-out caveat.

Route location

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Distance11.8 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 4 hr to 6 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. Use DNR-mapped access points, follow Minnesota boating/PFD rules, and respect WMA, road-right-of-way, and private-property limits.
CampingOptions nearbyTreat this as a day route. DNR does not document an on-route watercraft campsite on the Riverwood-to-State-Line trip, and the State Line Road finish has no parking lot.
SeasonApr-OctDNR says the Cedar is highest in spring, occasionally floods, and usually has sufficient summer water. Use the Austin gauge plus a same-day shuttle check at the no-parking State Line Road take-out.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Riverwood Landing and paddle the official DNR 11.8-mile Cedar River day trip to State Line Road. The route is moderate-flow beginner water in normal conditions, but the no-parking take-out, private banks, snags, and fast rises need a deliberate shuttle plan.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Cedar River, Riverwood Landing Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Riverwood Landing resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS02650 at DNR river mile 11.8.

Finish

Take-out

State Line Road carry-in access
DirectionsOpen map

State Line Road is an official DNR carry-in access at river mile 0, river right, but DNR says there is no parking at this location.

Road shuttle

Stage a legal driver pickup for State Line Road before launching because DNR says the take-out has no parking lot. Launch from Riverwood Landing after checking the Austin DNR gauge and current flood/debris conditions.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
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Access planner

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This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance11.8 miCreek-focused
On-water timeAbout 4 hr to 6 hrFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Cedar River, Riverwood Landing Public Water Access Site to State Line Road carry-in access is about 11.8 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Additional access notes
  • The State Line Road coordinate is an approximate map anchor for the named DNR access at the Minnesota/Iowa border; confirm the legal pickup spot before launching.
More route and safety guidance
  • DNR describes the Cedar as moderate flow with no major rapids, but warns about dams elsewhere, snags, overhanging trees, high spring water, and occasional flooding.
  • The route passes public WMA context and agricultural/private banks; do not assume informal bank stops are legal.
Terms and safety
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Conditions

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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 day tripRiverwood Landing to State Line Road, 11.8 mi

    MN DNR recommends putting in at Riverwood Landing at river mile 11.8 and taking out at State Line Road carry-in access at river mile 0.

    Source

  • Access sequenceRiverwood, Orchard Creek, County Road 6, State Line Road

    The MN DNR Cedar map shows Riverwood Landing, Orchard Creek access, County Road 6 bridge, railroad trestle, Woodbury Creek, and State Line Road carry-in access on river right at the Minnesota/Iowa border.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands50 / 117-1290 / 1670 cfs

    MN DNR interprets Austin as Scrapable below 50 cfs, Low from 50 to 117, Medium from 117 to 1290, High from 1290 to 1670, and Very High above 1670.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23438 cfs at 2026-07-23 04:00 CDT

    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

  • Take-out caveatNo parking at State Line Road

    DNR explicitly warns that the recommended take-out location does not have a parking lot.

    Source

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 25
Acorn Park to Halvorson ParkNorth Central IowaModerate · 2.8 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Shell Rock RiverFrank Hall Park to St. Nicholas Landing / Albert Lea Lake · about 19 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 3.2 lake mi

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