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Vermont | Lamoille Valley

Lamoille RiverMorrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park to Dorothy Smith Access

A full central Lamoille itinerary from Morrisville Oxbow through Cadyville and Dog Head to Dorothy Smith Access.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 18 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 7–11 hours with multiple portages and shuttle margin
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Lamoille River flows through a wooded corridor near Wolcott, Vermont.
River contextLamoille River near Wolcott; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 18 river milesMorrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park to Dorothy Smith Access
DifficultymoderateThe selected paddlers-trail reaches range from quiet Class I–II water to rock gardens and mandatory portages. Scout all ledges and carry around Cadyville and Morrisville dams.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the named public access, then drive to the upstream launch.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm Vermont town, trail and managed-access rules before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use established Lamoille Paddlers Trail campsites only where current rules permit and never camp on private banks.
SeasonApr-OctSnowmelt and rainfall can raise the Lamoille quickly. Check Johnson discharge, trend, weather, dam notices and current trail access before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A full central Lamoille itinerary from Morrisville Oxbow through Cadyville and Dog Head to Dorothy Smith Access.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Morrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use documented public access and portage paths only.

Finish

Take-out

Dorothy Smith Access, Cambridge (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

Carry around every marked dam or falls; never approach a hydraulic structure.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use documented public access and portage paths only.
  • Carry around every marked dam or falls; never approach a hydraulic structure.
  • Recheck seasonal parking, trail conditions, weather and live gauge trend.

Watch for

  • Cadyville and Dog Head Falls portages
  • Ithiel Falls, strainers and cold water
  • Long reach and limited legal exits

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Lamoille River flows through a wooded corridor near Wolcott, Vermont.
Lamoille River near Wolcott; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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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.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteLamoille River at Johnson, VT
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range200 cfs to 1,000 cfs
Low threshold100 cfs
High threshold3,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreLamoille River Paddlers Trail recommended trips and map
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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.

  • Named reach and distanceMorrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park to Dorothy Smith Access; 18 miles

    The Lamoille River Paddlers Trail publishes this recommended day reach, distance and access/portage context.

    Source

  • Gauge and planning bandUSGS 04292000; 100 cfs low cue and 200–1,000 cfs planning band

    Johnson provides direct Lamoille discharge telemetry. The band is a conservative planning interpretation around the trail’s low-water, rock-garden and portage warnings; verify current conditions before travel.

    Source

  • Safety, portages and campingMarked Cadyville/Morrisville portages; day-use route

    The Lamoille Trail map marks falls, dams, portages and campsites. Use only current designated access and campsite facilities.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Vermont

All 38 routes
Vermont route guideBrowse every tracked Vermont route.Lamoille ValleyJump to routes in this region.

More on Lamoille River

All 28
Cadyville Falls access below the falls to Arrowhead Mountain Lake public boat rampLamoille ValleyModerate · Staged multi-day itinerary (about 36 river miles)Cadyville Falls access below the falls to Dog Head Falls access below the fallsLamoille ValleyModerate · About 6 river milesCadyville Falls access below the falls to Dorothy Smith AccessLamoille ValleyModerate · About 16 river milesCadyville Falls access below the falls to Fairfax Falls below-dam accessLamoille ValleyModerate · About 28 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Winooski RiverBolton Dam Access to Jonesville · about 18 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 10.5 river milesWinooski RiverBolton Dam Access to Bolton Canoe Access Area · about 18 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 4 river milesWinooski RiverMarshfield Old Schoolhouse Common to Montpelier Gateway Park · about 19 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 24 river milesWinooski RiverMarshfield Old Schoolhouse Common to Winooski Street Bridge, Waterbury · about 19 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 22 river miles

Quick answers

Lamoille River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Morrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park to Dorothy Smith Access route on the Lamoille River?

Paddle Today watches Lamoille River at Johnson, VT and treats 200 cfs to 1,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Morrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park to Dorothy Smith Access route on the Lamoille River start and end?

This route starts at Morrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park (water-entry edge) and ends at Dorothy Smith Access, Cambridge (water-entry edge), about 18 river miles on the water.

Is the Morrisville Oxbow Riverfront Park to Dorothy Smith Access route on the Lamoille River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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