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Minnesota | Northern Minnesota
Mississippi River
Leech Lake River / #2 Access to Schoolcraft State Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Mississippi River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
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
Checking the next several hours.
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 the #2 access and take out at Schoolcraft State Park for a 14.7-mile Mississippi headwaters connector. Days High Landing is the direct DNR level reference for this map section, but the current low-band reading makes same-day visual checks important.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Mississippi River, #2 Public Water Access SiteThe #2 access resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS02462 at DNR river mile 1213.6.
Take-out
Mississippi River, Schoolcraft SPK Public Water Access SiteSchoolcraft SPK resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS01351 in the state-park corridor.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The #2 access resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS02462 at DNR river mile 1213.6.
- Schoolcraft SPK resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS01351 in the state-park corridor.
- Do not assume informal shoreline camping or bank access; use mapped public accesses and designated campsites only.
Watch for
- Low-water dragging, vegetation, hidden wood, and slow marsh current when the Days High Landing gauge is low.
- Wind on broad bends and near the Leech Lake River confluence. Carry cold-water layers and daylight margin.
- Private banks, limited intermediate exits, and campsite availability or rule changes.
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
Why this score
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 Days High Landing nr Deer River, MN |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 | 1273.80 ft to 1274.50 ft |
| Low threshold | 1272.90 ft |
| High threshold | 1275.00 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 Mississippi River at Days High Landing |
| 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.
- DNR route sequence#2 access to Schoolcraft State Park
MN DNR Mississippi Map 2 places the #2 access, Gambler's Point watercraft campsite, County Road 18 gauge area, and Schoolcraft State Park access/campground in downstream order.
- Public access recordsWAS02462 to WAS01351
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Mississippi River, #2 and Mississippi River, Schoolcraft SPK with DNR access IDs, coordinates, public administrators, and matching river-mile context.
- Official DNR bands1272.9 / 1273.8-1274.5 / 1275.0 ft
MN DNR interprets the Days High Landing gauge as Scrapable below 1272.9 ft, Low from 1272.9 to 1273.8, Medium from 1273.8 to 1274.5, High from 1274.5 to 1275.0, and Very High above 1275.0.
- Current gauge check1273.57 ft at 2026-07-17 12:30 AM
The current MN DNR feed placed Days High Landing in the official low band during this run, so the route ships with low-water and same-day visual-check caveats.
- Camping supportWatercraft campsite and state-park endpoint camping
DNR Map 2 marks Leech Lake River/#2 watercraft campsite context, Gambler's Point watercraft campsite, and Schoolcraft State Park campground/drinking-water context on this route family.
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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More routes to check next
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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 Days High Landing nr Deer River, MN and treats 1273.80 ft to 1274.50 ft 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, #2 Public Water Access Site and ends at Mississippi River, Schoolcraft SPK Public Water Access Site, about About 14.7 mi on the water.
Is this Mississippi River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.