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Minnesota | Western Minnesota
Minnesota RiverPrien's Landing to War Memorial Park
Official upper Minnesota River recommended section from Prien's Landing into Granite Falls, with the Montevideo DNR gauge just upstream and clear DNR map support for rapids, a dam portage, and campsite-only overnight rules.
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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 Prien's Landing and finish at War Memorial Park for the official DNR recommended Minnesota River section into Granite Falls. The main operational controls are the Montevideo gauge, the Granite Falls dam portage, and rapid scouting.
Access map
Put-in
Minnesota River, Prien's Landing Public Water Access SitePrien's Landing and War Memorial Park both resolve as public-water-access GIS records, but the dam/portage zone between them still requires route discipline.
Take-out
Minnesota River, War Memorial City Park Public Water Access SiteDo not continue below War Memorial without a separate Granite Falls-to-Kinney plan; the downstream map immediately includes additional small rapids and Minnesota Falls hazards.
Road shuttle
Stage War Memorial Park in Granite Falls first, then drive back to Prien's Landing. Build in daylight for the dam portage and rapid scouting.
Additional access notes
- Use only designated campsites and public accesses because much of the shoreline is private.
More route and safety guidance
- Scout the Downtown Rapids and any Class I ledges or boulder gardens when levels are low, rising, or unfamiliar.
- Use only named public accesses and designated campsites; DNR water-trail rules do not allow private-bank or riverbed camping next to private property.
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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 Montevideo |
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| Preferred range | 5.00 ft to 9.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 3.00 ft |
| High threshold | 14.00 ft |
| 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 Montevideo |
| 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 recommended sectionPrien's Landing to War Memorial Park, 18.7 mi
MN DNR's statewide recommended paddling list identifies Prien's Landing to War Memorial Park as a 18.7-mile Minnesota River section.
- Map supportPrien's RM 257.6 to War Memorial RM 238.9
MN DNR Map 2 places Prien's Landing, a watercraft campsite, the Granite Falls dam portage, Downtown Rapids, and War Memorial Park in order.
- DNR bands3 / 5-9 / 14 ft
MN DNR interprets the Montevideo gauge as Scrapable below 3 ft, Low from 3 to 5, Medium from 5 to 9, High from 9 to 14, and Very High above 14.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-234.54 ft at 2026-07-23 18:00 CDT
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.
- Public access recordsPrien's WAS01053 and War Memorial WAS00692
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves both endpoints with administrators, coordinates, and river-mile records.
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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