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Minnesota | Mankato Area
Minnesota RiverJudson Access to Land of Memories Park
Paddle 11.1 miles from Judson Access to Land of Memories Park near Mankato. This nontechnical big-river day is exposed to wind and waves, and low water can leave sandbars and shallow braided channels.
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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 Judson and finish at Land of Memories Park for the DNR-recommended Mankato-area Minnesota River day. The gauge gives a real official flow ladder, but wind and sandbars still matter a lot on this bigger river.
Access map
Put-in
Judson public water accessMinnesota DNR public-water-access records identify both the Judson launch and Land of Memories landing. Use the named access points rather than an informal riverbank launch.
Take-out
Land of Memories Park public water accessLand of Memories is a city park with a real boat landing, but same-day parking and ramp conditions should still be checked before you commit to the shuttle.
Road shuttle
Car shuttle is the practical choice. Stage the take-out vehicle at Land of Memories Park before launching so you are not finishing a long windy day with extra logistics.
More route and safety guidance
- Broad open bends are wind-exposed and flood debris can change landing conditions after high water; check trend and weather.
- Use only the named public landings and treat private shoreland as off-limits for breaks or camping.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Detailed weather
Weather
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Next 8 hours
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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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.
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 | Minnesota River at Mankato, MN |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 4,550 cfs to 17,900 cfs |
| Low threshold | 567 cfs |
| High threshold | 22,500 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Minnesota River at Mankato |
| Gauge 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.
- DNR bands566.9 / 4,550 / 17,900 / 22,500 cfs
MN DNR interprets this gauge as Scrapable below 566.9 cfs, Low from 566.9 to 4,550, Medium from 4,550 to 17,900, High from 17,900 to 22,500, and Very High above 22,500.
- Recommended trip11.1 river miles
MN DNR treats Judson Access to Land of Memories Park as the recommended day trip on this Mankato-area Minnesota River segment.
- Endpoint authorityState access records on both ends
Minnesota public-water-access data identifies Judson Public Water Access at river mile 116.0 and Land of Memories Park Public Water Access at river mile 105.0.
- Primary cautionsSandbars, wind, larger-river exposure
MN DNR highlights many sandbars on this stretch and warns paddlers not to underestimate wind and waves on larger open-water corridors.
- Take-out supportCity park with boat landing
Mankato describes Land of Memories Park as having a boat landing for Minnesota River access, along with campground and park amenities.
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
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