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Minnesota | Mississippi Headwaters
Mississippi RiverSchoolcraft State Park to #10 Access
Short official MN DNR Mississippi headwaters option from Schoolcraft State Park to the #10 public access. It splits the first 4.1 miles of the longer Schoolcraft-to-Sylvan corridor into a lower-commitment access-pair route.
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Stage the vehicle at #10 Access first, then drive back to Schoolcraft State Park. Confirm the #10 road approach and parking before launch because it is the planned take-out, not just a bailout.
Additional access notes
- Continuing below #10 becomes the longer Schoolcraft-to-Sylvan corridor and needs a separate shuttle, daylight, and stamina plan.
More route and safety guidance
- Low water can expose shallow bars and riffles; high water can add pushier current and debris even on this short reach.
- Stay with signed public access points and Schoolcraft State Park rules; do not rely on informal private-bank exits.
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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 Days High Landing nr Deer River, MN |
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| Preferred range | 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 |
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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.
- 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.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-271,273.53 ft at 2026-07-27 15:30 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.
- 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.
Other routes nearby
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