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Minnesota | Mississippi Headwaters
Mississippi River
Schoolcraft State Park to #10 Access
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
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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 Schoolcraft State Park and take out at #10 Access for the official 4.1-mile DNR short option on the upper Mississippi. This keeps the easy access pair separate from the longer Schoolcraft-to-Sylvan commitment.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
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Put-in
Mississippi River, Schoolcraft SPK Public Water Access SiteSchoolcraft State Park and #10 both resolve as public Mississippi River access sites in the Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
Take-out
Mississippi River, #10 Public Water Access SiteThe Days High Landing gauge is just upstream of the short reach and should be paired with a visual check for low-water shallows and fresh wood.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Schoolcraft State Park and #10 both resolve as public Mississippi River access sites in the Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
- The Days High Landing gauge is just upstream of the short reach and should be paired with a visual check for low-water shallows and fresh wood.
- Continuing below #10 becomes the longer Schoolcraft-to-Sylvan corridor and needs a separate shuttle, daylight, and stamina plan.
Watch for
- Low-water scraping, shallow bars, riffles, sweepers, and fresh strainers.
- Cold water outside summer and limited informal exits even on a short route.
- Private banks and state-park rules around stops, parking, and camping.
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.
- Official route4.1 river miles
MN DNR recommended one-way materials list Schoolcraft State Park Trailer Access at river mile 1198.8 to #10 Trailer Access at river mile 1194.7.
- Map supportSchoolcraft RM 1199.5-1198.2 to #10 RM 1194.7
DNR Mississippi Map 2 places Schoolcraft State Park, the upstream Days High Landing gauge bridge, Leaning Willow campsite, and #10 access in sequence.
- Public access recordsSchoolcraft WAS01351 to #10 WAS00988
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Schoolcraft State Park and #10 as public Mississippi River access sites with coordinates and river-mile records.
- Official DNR bands1,272.9 / 1,273.8-1,274.5 / 1,275 ft
MN DNR interprets the Days High Landing gauge as Scrapable below 1,272.9 ft, Low from 1,272.9 to 1,273.8, Medium from 1,273.8 to 1,274.5, High from 1,274.5 to 1,275, and Very High above 1,275.
- Current gauge check1,273.53 ft at 2026-07-27 15:30 CDT
The current MN DNR feed placed Days High Landing in the official low band during this review, below the medium target.
- Camping and access contextSchoolcraft State Park basecamp; no informal banks
DNR identifies Schoolcraft State Park as having camping, public access, rest area support, and drinking water; the short route should still use legal public stops and designated camping rules.
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, Schoolcraft SPK Public Water Access Site and ends at Mississippi River, #10 Public Water Access Site, about 4.1 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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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.