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Minnesota | Mississippi Headwaters
Mississippi RiverSchoolcraft State Park to Sylvan Municipal Park
Official MN DNR Mississippi headwaters one-way from Schoolcraft State Park to Sylvan Municipal Park, extending past the #10 access through the Pokegama reservoir and Grand Rapids dam corridor with direct Days High Landing gauge support.
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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 finish at Sylvan Bay for the full MN DNR 18.7-mile Schoolcraft-to-Sylvan one-way. The direct Days High Landing gauge is current but below the preferred medium band.
Access map
Put-in
Mississippi River, Schoolcraft SPK Public Water Access SiteSchoolcraft State Park resolves as WAS01351 in Minnesota public-water-access GIS and is also shown by DNR Map 3 as a trailer access with campground and drinking water.
Take-out
Mississippi River, Sylvan Bay Public Water Access SiteSylvan Bay resolves as WAS00983 at DNR Map 3 river mile 1180.1 and is the planned finish before the downstream Blandin Paper Company Dam corridor.
Road shuttle
Stage the Sylvan Bay / Sylvan Municipal Park take-out first, then drive upstream to Schoolcraft State Park. Confirm state-park entry, parking, and any launch rules before leaving a vehicle.
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Mississippi River, Schoolcraft SPK Public Water Access Site to Mississippi River, Sylvan Bay Public Water Access Site is about 18.7 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- DNR Map 3 shows Pokegama Dam and the Blandin dam corridor near the Grand Rapids finish. Know the portage locations and do not drift past Sylvan without a separate dam plan.
More route and safety guidance
- DNR Map 3 shows Pokegama Dam and the downstream Blandin Paper Company Dam corridor; know the portage plan and take out at Sylvan before the Blandin dam.
- Low water can make riffles and reservoir margins scrapable. Wind, motorboats, cold water, and fresh wood can turn the long flat sections into a harder trip.
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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 route18.7 river miles
MN DNR recommended one-way materials list Schoolcraft State Park Trailer Access at river mile 1198.8 to Sylvan Municipal Park Trailer Access at river mile 1180.1.
- Map supportSchoolcraft RM 1199.5-1198.2 to Sylvan RM 1180.1
DNR Mississippi Map 3 places Schoolcraft State Park, Leaning Willow campsite, #10, #1, Pokegama Dam, Izaak Walton Park, Sylvan Municipal Park, and the downstream Blandin dam corridor in sequence.
- Public access recordsWAS01351 to WAS00983
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Schoolcraft State Park and Sylvan Bay public access sites with Mississippi river-mile records and coordinates; #10 is a coordinate-backed intermediate bailout.
- Official DNR bands1,272.9 / 1,273.8-1,274.5 / 1,275 ft
MN DNR interprets Days High Landing 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 · 2026-07-231,273.46 ft at 2026-07-23 17:30 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 safety contextLeaning Willow watercraft campsite; designated sites only
DNR Map 3 identifies Leaning Willow as a watercraft campsite and warns that riverbed camping next to private property is not permitted.
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