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Iowa | Southeast Iowa
Des Moines RiverDes Moines River Access to Farmington Access
Final Iowa-side Lower Des Moines water-trail segment from the county Des Moines River Access to Farmington, a short residential-and-farm corridor with primitive put-in camping and a signed town take-out below Highway 2.
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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
Finish the Van Buren County Lower Des Moines water-trail chain by paddling from Des Moines River Access to Farmington Access. It is a short, straight reach, but high releases, debris, private banks, and missing the town take-out can still turn it into a bigger problem.
Access map
Put-in
Des Moines River AccessDes Moines River Access and Farmington Access are named public water-trail launches; saved coordinates are practical launch records and should be verified against posted signs.
Take-out
Farmington AccessFarmington Access is below the Highway 2 bridge on river left/east side in the Iowa DNR guide.
Road shuttle
Stage at Farmington Access below the Highway 2 bridge, then drive back to Des Moines River Access. Identify the take-out from land because continuing downstream leaves the Iowa water-trail finish and requires a separate plan.
Additional access notes
- Treat adjacent residential and agricultural banks as private unless clearly posted public.
More route and safety guidance
- Take out at Farmington Access below the Highway 2 bridge on river left/east side; do not drift past the intended town access without a separate downstream plan.
- Use public access land and legal bars only. Adjacent residential, agricultural, and wooded banks should be treated as private unless clearly posted public.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
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
Des Moines River at Keosauqua, 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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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 routeDes Moines River Access to Farmington, 3 mi
Iowa DNR names this exact reach, describes it as a straight short section, and places Farmington Access on the east side below the Highway 2 bridge.
- Access and campingCounty access primitive camping; Farmington access/camping
Villages of Van Buren lists Des Moines River Access with primitive camping and boat ramp, and Farmington with boat access, restroom, water, food, kiosk, camping, cabins, and shelter.
- Access coordinatesDes Moines River Access 40.67130, -91.75801; Farmington 40.63880, -91.74389
Snoflo launch records publish practical coordinates for the named Des Moines River Access and Farmington Access boat launches; confirm exact ramp approach from posted signs.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05490500 8,110 cfs / 12.87 ft at 2026-07-23 13:15 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.
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 Des Moines River
All 18Nearby routes within 75 miles
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