Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 39 routes on Mississippi River

Minnesota | Central Minnesota

Mississippi RiverLittle Falls Dam to Pike Creek Landing

MN DNR Mississippi Map 7 connector below Little Falls Dam, finishing at Pike Creek before the already-live Pike-Creek-to-Royalton dam-portage route.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map
DistanceAbout 1.8 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 45 min to 1.5 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
Sunset reflects across the Mississippi River backwaters near Weaver, Minnesota.
River contextMississippi River near Weaver, Minnesota river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tom Fisk / Pexels
View primary source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow posted City of Little Falls, Morrison County, and MN DNR public-water-access rules.
CampingDay tripPike Creek has mapped watercraft-campsite context nearby, but this short card should be treated as a day trip unless a specific public campsite plan is separately confirmed. Do not camp on private banks.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through fall is the practical window. The Royalton gauge sits downstream of Pike Creek and below the Blanchard Dam corridor, so same-day visual checks below Little Falls Dam and at Pike Creek remain decisive.

Access and shuttle

Launch below Little Falls Dam and take out at Pike Creek for the short Map 7 connector above the existing Pike-Creek-to-Royalton route. The downstream Royalton DNR gauge is official but proxy-framed; dam-boundary and visual checks matter.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Mississippi River, Little Falls Dam Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Use only the public access below Little Falls Dam for this route. Do not launch upstream of the dam or improvise around dam structures.

Finish

Take-out

Mississippi River, Pike Creek Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Pike Creek resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS01279 at DNR river mile 963.3.

Road shuttle

Stage Pike Creek Landing first, then drive back to the Little Falls Dam public access below the dam. Keep this as a short staged route; continuing past Pike Creek enters the separate Blanchard Dam portage corridor.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Additional access notes
  • The Royalton gauge is downstream of Pike Creek and below the Blanchard Dam corridor, so local water at Little Falls and Pike Creek can override the gauge band.
More route and safety guidance
  • Take out at Pike Creek for this card. Continuing downstream enters the separate Blanchard Dam portage route and requires a different shuttle and scout plan.
  • Watch for dam-influenced current, cold water, floating debris, private banks, and limited legal bailout points between Little Falls and Pike Creek.
Terms and safety
Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------
Detailed weather

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Photos and recent reports

Share a recent access update, hazard observation or photo.

Add a photo or report

Access changes, obstructions and dated hazard photos are especially useful.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Sources and methodology

Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.

NotesPublished evidence and verification notes

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Official route shapeLittle Falls Dam RM 965.1 to Pike Creek RM 963.3

    MN DNR Map 7 maps the Little Falls Dam access, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, Pike Creek Campsite, and Pike Creek Landing in downstream order.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS01280 to WAS01279

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Little Falls Dam and Pike Creek with named records, coordinates, public administrators, directions, and river miles.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands2000 / 3000-9000 / 12000 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the Royalton gauge as Scrapable below 2000 cfs, Low from 2000 to 3000, Medium from 3000 to 9000, High from 9000 to 12000, and Very High above 12000.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-221930 cfs at 2026-07-22 21:15 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.

    Source

  • Dam and camping contextLittle Falls dam boundary; Pike Creek campsite

    DNR Map 7 places the selected launch below Little Falls Dam and marks Pike Creek Campsite and Pike Creek Landing above the Blanchard Dam route.

    Source

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

More on Mississippi River

All 39
Aitkin Campground to Highway 6Mississippi HeadwatersModerate · About 25.7 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Long Prairie RiverLong Prairie to Browerville · about 24 straight-line mi awayEasy · 13.3 mi

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update