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Minnesota | Mississippi Headwaters
Mississippi RiverKimball to Aitkin County Campground
Short signed Mississippi Headwaters Board / Aitkin County route from Kimball to the Mississippi River campground and boat landing in Aitkin. It uses the direct Aitkin DNR gauge near the take-out and has endpoint campground support.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Kimball and take out at the Aitkin Campground / Mississippi River boat access for the short signed MHB/Aitkin County excursion. The Aitkin DNR gauge is near the finish and has official DNR interpretation bands.
Access map
Put-in
Mississippi River, Kimball Public Water Access SiteKimball resolves as WAS01037 at river mile 1062.6, and Aitkin resolves as WAS01042 at river mile 1055.7 in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
Take-out
Mississippi River, Aitkin Public Water Access Site / Aitkin CampgroundAitkin County lists the campground at 814 4th Ave NW with Mississippi River boat access and campground amenities; check current fees and rules before counting on camping or overnight parking.
Road shuttle
Stage the Aitkin Campground / Mississippi River boat access first, then drive back to Kimball. Confirm campground parking, access, camping, fee, and one-way traffic rules before relying on the finish.
Additional access notes
- DNR Map 4 warns about the Rice River diversion channel and diversion dam near Aitkin during high flow. Stay with the signed Mississippi route and planned campground take-out.
More route and safety guidance
- Confirm campground parking, boat landing, camping, and fee rules before relying on the take-out or overnight plan.
- Watch for sweepers, shallow bars, fishing traffic, cold water, and stronger current near the Aitkin finish after rain.
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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 | Mississippi River at Aitkin, MN |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 1,500 cfs to 6,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 712 cfs |
| High threshold | 8,000 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 Aitkin |
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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.
- MHB signed route2.5-hour excursion
The Mississippi Headwaters Board lists Kimball to Aitkin County Campground as an Aitkin County signed excursion with a downloadable map and endpoint directions.
- Route mileageAbout 6.9 river miles
Minnesota public-water-access GIS places Kimball at river mile 1062.6 and Aitkin at river mile 1055.7, supporting a short 6.9-mile route to the campground corridor.
- Endpoint campgroundAitkin Campground boat access
Aitkin County says the campground is on the Mississippi River, has nine campsites, showers, drinking water, picnic tables, and boat access to the Mississippi River.
- Public access recordsWAS01037 to WAS01042
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Kimball and Aitkin as Aitkin County Mississippi River access sites with directions, river miles, and coordinates.
- Official DNR bands712 / 1,500-6,000 / 8,000 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Aitkin gauge as Scrapable below 712.3 cfs, Low from 712.3 to 1,500, Medium from 1,500 to 6,000, High from 6,000 to 8,000, and Very High above 8,000.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-22681 cfs at 2026-07-22 13:30
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.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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