See all 9 routes on Maquoketa River
Iowa | Northeast Iowa
Maquoketa RiverMon-Maq Dam Access to Pictured Rocks Park
Classic lower-Maquoketa water-trail run from the Mon-Maq sandbar launch to Pictured Rocks Park, with steady current, limestone bluffs, wooded public land, and a direct Maquoketa gauge ladder.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch from the sandbar access below Mon-Maq Dam and paddle the classic lower-Maquoketa bluff section to the hard-surface Pictured Rocks Park access. Expect steady current, wooded banks, limestone outcrops, public wildlife-area scenery, and a popular take-out with parking and restrooms.
Access map
Put-in
Mon-Maq Dam Access / Lower Mon-Maq sandbar launchThe practical put-in is below the Mon-Maq Dam, not above it. Use the lower sandbar/access area and stay clear of dam hydraulics.
Take-out
Pictured Rocks Park AccessPictured Rocks has hard-surface river access, parking, restrooms, and water in the water-trail guide, but Jones County notes the steep access road is typically closed after the first snowfall.
Road shuttle
Use a two-car shuttle between Mon-Maq Dam Access northeast of Monticello and Pictured Rocks Park southeast of town. The road shuttle is short enough for a bike shuttle, but the Pictured Rocks park road is steep and can be seasonally gated after snow.
Additional access notes
- Summer weekends can be busy because this is one of the better-known lower-Maquoketa bluff runs and Pictured Rocks also draws hikers and climbers.
More route and safety guidance
- The Jones County/Iowa DNR guide warns dams are not always obvious from upstream and paddlers should exit when directed and portage around.
- Eight miles of moving water, private-property boundaries, wood, and pushier current above the preferred band require current verification.
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Station details and river cameras
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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
Maquoketa River near Maquoketa, 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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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 | Maquoketa River near Maquoketa, IA |
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| Preferred range | 701 cfs to 1,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 500 cfs |
| High threshold | 2,001 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
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| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips lower Maquoketa gauge ladder |
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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.
- Official water-trail routeMon-Maq Dam to Pictured Rocks Park
The Iowa DNR/Jones County water-trail guide describes the sandbar access below Mon-Maq Dam, the Pictured Rocks stone boat ramp, amenities at both accesses, and the eight-mile route as suitable for all skill levels though long for beginners.
- County paddling accessPictured Rocks Park
Jones County describes Pictured Rocks along the Maquoketa River, notes paddling among steep limestone bluffs, and confirms hard-surface river access.
- DNR lower-river access contextPictured Rocks hard-surface boat ramp
Iowa DNR Fish Iowa lists Pictured Rocks Park among the hard surface boat ramps on the lower Maquoketa and describes the upper part of the below-Monticello segment as more accessible by canoe or small jon boat.
- Published route contextMonticello Dam Lower Access to Pictured Rocks Boat Ramp
Wisconsin River Trips identifies this 8.1-mile leg as the start of one of the more popular and scenic lower-Maquoketa stretches with elevated limestone outcrops and possible summer-weekend crowds.
- Target range701 to 1,000 cfs
WRT describes 701 to 1,000 cfs on the Maquoketa near Maquoketa gauge as an average fall depth and good target range for the lower river.
- Low-water floor500 cfs
The same WRT ladder treats less than 500 cfs as likely too low for enjoyable paddling and 501 to 700 cfs as mostly okay but with grounding risk.
- High-water ceiling2,001+ cfs
WRT treats 2,001+ cfs as very high, pushy, dirty water that may be beyond enjoyable paddling on the lower Maquoketa.
- Direct gaugeUSGS 05418500
USGS operates Maquoketa River near Maquoketa, IA downstream on the same river, and WRT uses this gauge for its lower-Maquoketa ladder.
- Endpoint coordinatesMon-Maq 42.24511929, -91.17077245; Pictured Rocks 42.20569962, -91.10253825
Water Quality Portal sites named AWARE 9 Mon-Maq Dam Maquoketa River and AWARE 10 Pictured Rocks Park Maquoketa River provide NAD83 coordinates for the named endpoint corridors.
- HazardsLength, crowds, access road, high water
The route is not technical, but eight miles can be long for beginners, Pictured Rocks has a steep seasonal access road, summer weekends can be busy, and very high water makes the lower river pushier and dirtier.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Iowa DNR Maquoketa River Water Trail
- Jones County Pictured Rocks
- Iowa DNR Fish Iowa Maquoketa below Monticello
- Wisconsin River Trips Maquoketa River - Buzzard Ridge
- USGS 05418500 monitoring location
- Water Quality Portal Mon-Maq Dam
- Water Quality Portal Pictured Rocks Park
- USGS public-domain Maquoketa River image
Other routes nearby
More on Maquoketa River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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