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See all 25 routes on Cedar River

Minnesota | Southern Minnesota

Cedar River

Riverwood Landing to State Line Road

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Today

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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.

Today's conditions

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Quick facts

On-water distance11.8 miRiverwood Landing to State Line Road
DifficultyeasyBeginner-friendly moderate flow when levels are normal, but the no-parking take-out, rural access, snags, overhanging trees, private banks, and flood potential require planning.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage 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.
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.

Plan

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Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

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.

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On-water distance11.8 miLake to creek
On-water timeAbout 5 to 7 hrFull route option
ShuttleSelf-shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.

Start

Put-in

Cedar River, Riverwood Landing Public Water Access SiteOpen 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 accessOpen 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.

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

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

Watch for

  • Snags, overhanging trees, and fast rises after rain or during spring flood conditions.
  • Private farm banks, WMA boundaries, and limited bailout options below Orchard Creek.
  • The no-parking State Line Road finish; do not start without a practical legal shuttle solution.

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Sources

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Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking

Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

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OutlookTomorrow and weekend

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Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteCedar River nr Austin, MN
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Target band117 cfs to 1,290 cfs
Low threshold50 cfs
High threshold1,670 cfs
Data confidence behind the rangeOfficial data source
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Main source behind this scoreMN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Cedar River near Austin
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NotesWhat to know before you go

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

  • Current gauge check438 cfs at 2026-07-23 04:00 CDT

    The current MN DNR feed placed Austin in the official medium band during this run.

    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

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

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Nearby routes by distance

Shell Rock RiverFrank Hall Park to St. Nicholas Landing / Albert Lea Lake · about 19 mi awayEasy · About 3.2 lake miShell Rock RiverStrand Park to Wilkinson Pioneer Park · about 26 mi awayEasy · About 8 miWinnebago RiverFertile to Mason City · about 33 mi awayEasy · About 15 mi by the mapped endpoint anchors; CanWePaddle lists the nominal town-to-town reach as 13 miStraight RiverCounty Road 45 to Medford City Park · about 39 mi awayModerate · About 3.7 mi

Quick answers

Cedar River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Cedar River?

Paddle Today watches Cedar River nr Austin, MN and treats 117 cfs to 1,290 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does this Cedar River route start and end?

This route starts at Cedar River, Riverwood Landing Public Water Access Site and ends at State Line Road carry-in access, about 11.8 mi on the water.

Is this Cedar River route good for beginners?

This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.

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