Michigan | Western Upper Peninsula
Iron RiverMattioli Park to Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail
A 3-mile in-town Iron River day run from Mattioli Park to the Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail take-out in Caspian, with an optional extension toward Museum Drive. American Whitewater documents the Class I-II reach and ties its live flow reading to USGS 04060500.
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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 Mattioli Park and take out at the Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail parking area. The short reach is the conservative default; the corridor can extend toward Museum Drive only after confirming flow, wood, and take-out logistics.
Access map
Put-in
Mattioli Park public launchAmerican Whitewater provides the named access points and coordinates, but access signage and parking conditions can change; confirm the launch and trailhead before committing.
Take-out
Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail take-outThe gauge is at Caspian on the same Iron River system; use its 150-800 cfs band as tentative guidance, not a substitute for visual scouting.
Road shuttle
Stage a two-car shuttle from the Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail trailhead back to Mattioli Park. American Whitewater lists Museum Drive as an alternate intermediate/take-out option.
Additional access notes
- Use the named public endpoints and do not cross private frontage for improvised access.
More route and safety guidance
- Treat the 150-800 cfs American Whitewater band as tentative guidance, not a guarantee. Skip the reach when the gauge is rising quickly, recent storms have changed wood, or the visual current exceeds the group's skill.
- Use the named public park and trailhead accesses only. Cold water, changing weather, strainers, and limited urban exits require PFDs, a conservative craft choice, and a shuttle plan.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Weather
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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
Iron River at Caspian, MI. 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.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Iron River at Caspian, MI |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 150 cfs to 800 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 800 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Iron River Caspian flow correlation |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Exact routeMattioli Park to Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail; 3 mi
American Whitewater documents the short Caspian reach and optional Museum Drive extension.
- Public endpointsMattioli Park put-in; Brady Avenue / Apple Blossom Trail take-out
American Whitewater gives named access points, parking/carry notes, and coordinates for both ends.
- Live gauge and thresholdUSGS 04060500; 150-800 cfs tentative runnable band
American Whitewater embeds the Caspian gauge correlation and labels the flow ranges tentative.
- Camping and logisticsKlint Safford Memorial RV Park on the Iron River
Iron County identifies the designated RV park; do not assume informal riverbank camping.
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
Nearby routes within 75 miles
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