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Iowa | Central Iowa
Des Moines RiverHighway 30 Access to Sportsman Ramp
Combined 11-mile Boone County Des Moines River water-trail route from Highway 30 through the Ledges State Park corridor to Sportsman Ramp, with Dogwood/E-57 retained as a public intermediate access and short-trip option.
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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 from Highway 30 and paddle through the Ledges corridor to Sportsman Ramp. Dogwood/E-57 is the represented intermediate access for either shorter component trip.
Access map
Put-in
Highway 30 AccessHighway 30 is just downstream of the Boone Waterworks rapids area; keep the rapids as an upstream boundary unless separately planned.
Take-out
Sportsman Ramp / Old Hubby Bridge AccessDogwood/E-57 is an intermediate access, not the default full-route take-out. Confirm the intended Dogwood or Sportsman landing and stage the matching shuttle.
Road shuttle
Stage Sportsman Ramp for the full route. Dogwood/E-57 can instead be staged as a mile-7 take-out from Highway 30 or used as the put-in for the final roughly 4 miles.
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Access planner
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This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.
Highway 30 Access to Sportsman Ramp / Old Hubby Bridge Access is about 11.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- DNR says silt may sometimes cover Dogwood and Sportsman even though both ramps are maintained.
- Saved coordinates are practical access-area anchors from official DNR/USACE map labels; use current signs for exact ramps.
More route and safety guidance
- Iowa DNR notes bridge piers and other in-water hazards in this Boone County reach. Give piers, old bridge remnants, wood, and bank debris space.
- Dogwood/E-57 is the represented intermediate access. Both Dogwood and Sportsman can be silt-covered even though they are maintained, so walk the intended take-out before launching.
- The river is meandered, but private property begins at the high-water mark. Keep routine stops to public areas or legal bars.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Short-route forecast
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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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 near Stratford, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
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 route and mileageHighway 30 to Dogwood to Sportsman, about 11 mi
The Iowa DNR Boone County map places Highway 30 near river mile 237, Dogwood/E-57 near mile 230, and Sportsman near mile 226, supporting one route with Dogwood as the intermediate short-trip access.
- Route characterLedges bluffs followed by lower sandbar bends
DNR highlights dramatic sandstone bluffs around Ledges State Park, then describes maintained ramps, long sandbars, and growing Saylorville influence below Dogwood.
- Intermediate accessDogwood Ramp / E-57 at about mile 7
Dogwood is retained as a staged alternate take-out or put-in, allowing either component section without publishing two near-identical route cards.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05481300 1,020 cfs / 5.76 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.
- Safety guidanceCheck levels, weather, PFDs, strainers, dams, and private property
The DNR Boone County guide includes general safety guidance to check river levels, know weather, wear PFDs, portage obstacles and low-head dams, and use public lands/access points respectfully.
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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