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Minnesota | Grand Rapids Area
Mississippi River
County Line Access to Jacobson Campground
Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
Use the gauge context and hourly forecast to verify local conditions before launching.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at County Line and take out at Jacobson Campground for DNR recommended Map 3/4 short trip. Use the upstream Grand Rapids DNR gauge as an official corridor check, then make the same-day call from local depth, wind, and debris.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Mississippi River, County Line Public Water Access SiteCounty Line resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS01336 at DNR river mile 1145.5.
Take-out
Mississippi River, Jacobson Campground Public Water Access SiteJacobson Campground resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS02564 at DNR river mile 1140.6, and Aitkin County lists the endpoint boat ramp as open for the 2026 season.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- County Line resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS01336 at DNR river mile 1145.5.
- Jacobson Campground resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS02564 at DNR river mile 1140.6, and Aitkin County lists the endpoint boat ramp as open for the 2026 season.
- The Grand Rapids gauge is upstream of this split. It is official same-corridor evidence, not a take-out reading at Jacobson.
Watch for
- Low-water riffles and shallow bars; scan ahead for debris, overhanging branches, and downed trees as MN DNR advises.
- Cold water, private shoreland, and limited bailout options even on a short 4.9-mile trip; wear a life jacket and dress for the water temperature.
- Campground and access rules at Jacobson; use the endpoint campground only under current posted rules.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Data and sources
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Mississippi River at Grand Rapids, MN |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 44 cfs to 1,410 cfs |
| Low threshold | 30 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,910 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 Mississippi River at Grand Rapids |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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.
- Official recommended tripCounty Line to Jacobson Campground, 4.9 miles
MN DNR recommended-one-way materials list County Line trailer access at river mile 1145.5 to Jacobson Campground trailer access at river mile 1140.6. DNR Maps 3 and 4 place the route across the map boundary.
- Public access recordsWAS01336 to WAS02564
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves County Line and Jacobson Campground with access IDs, coordinates, river miles, administrators, and directions.
- Official DNR bands30 / 44-1410 / 1910 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Grand Rapids gauge as Scrapable below 30 cfs, Low from 30 to 44, Medium from 44 to 1410, High from 1410 to 1910, and Very High above 1910.
- Current gauge check224 cfs at 2026-07-22 20:45 CDT
The current MN DNR feed placed the upstream Grand Rapids gauge in the official medium band during this run.
- Camping supportJacobson Campground boat ramp and 2026 season
Aitkin County lists Jacobson Campground as open for the 2026 season with a boat ramp to the Mississippi River, while DNR Map 3 identifies the campground as trailer access with drinking water.
- Map 3 safety guidancePrivate shoreland, changing conditions, and tree obstacles
The current DNR map says river conditions can change, directs paddlers to stay off private property and stop only at designated sites, and advises avoiding overhanging and dead trees.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Mississippi River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Mississippi River?
Paddle Today watches Mississippi River at Grand Rapids, MN and treats 44 cfs to 1,410 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Mississippi River route start and end?
This route starts at Mississippi River, County Line Public Water Access Site and ends at Mississippi River, Jacobson Campground Public Water Access Site, about About 4.9 mi on the water.
Is this Mississippi River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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