See all 11 routes on North Raccoon River
Iowa | Northwest Iowa
North Raccoon River
Grant Park to Rainbow Bend Access
Route planning details, access notes, and local verification guidance.
Route location
Loading the route coverage map.
Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
Use the gauge context and hourly forecast to verify local conditions before launching.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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 below the Grant Park rock-dam boundary and paddle the rural North Raccoon corridor to Rainbow Bend, where the existing downstream Rainbow-to-Richey card begins.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Grant Park below-dam relaunchDo not launch above or run the Grant rock dam as part of this split. Stage the below-dam relaunch from land.
Take-out
Rainbow Bend AccessRainbow Bend no longer has the older ramp; DNR says paddlers should carry to the sand/silt beach.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Do not launch above or run the Grant rock dam as part of this split. Stage the below-dam relaunch from land.
- Rainbow Bend no longer has the older ramp; DNR says paddlers should carry to the sand/silt beach.
- Grant coordinates are practical park/ramp anchors, and Rainbow Bend coordinates reuse the existing accepted V2 access point.
Watch for
- Grant rock-dam/relaunch discipline before starting.
- Narrower pasture and row-crop corridor, eroded cut banks, wood, strainers, and limited public exits.
- Walk-down Rainbow Bend take-out and no unplanned continuation into the long Rainbow-to-Richey section.
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
Data and sources
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 | North Raccoon River near Lanesboro, IA |
| 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 | 0.00 ft to 11.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 0.00 ft |
| High threshold | 11.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Iowa DNR North Raccoon Sac/Calhoun/Carroll guide Lanesboro/Jefferson guidance |
| 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 route familyWhite Horse Access to Grant Park to Rainbow Bend Access, 16.6 mi
Iowa DNR names the official water-trail section and describes the corridor from White Horse through Grant to Rainbow Bend.
- Grant-to-Rainbow corridorAbout 12.1 mi after the 4.5-mi White-Horse-to-Grant split
The route uses the downstream portion of DNR's 16.6-mile section after the documented 4.5-mile White-Horse-to-Grant reach.
- Camping and accessGrant amenities; Rainbow Bend primitive camping/toilets
DNR says Grant Park has camping and all amenities, and Rainbow Bend has primitive camping and toilets. MyCountyParks corroborates Grant's ramp and camping.
- Current gauge checkUSGS 05482430 7.65 ft; USGS 05482300 54.3 cfs / 6.85 ft; USGS 05482500 218 cfs / 5.12 ft
USGS Water Services returned current North Raccoon values at 2026-07-24 02:15 CDT during this run.
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
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
North Raccoon River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling North Raccoon River?
Paddle Today watches North Raccoon River near Lanesboro, IA and treats 0.00 ft to 11.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this North Raccoon River route start and end?
This route starts at Grant Park below-dam relaunch and ends at Rainbow Bend Access, about About 12.1 mi on the water.
Is this North Raccoon 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.