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Iowa | Central Iowa

North Raccoon RiverHyde Park Access to McMahon Access

Intermediate Greene County North Raccoon segment from Hyde Park through Brown Bridge to McMahon, with DNR rock-dam, wood, ramp, and Jefferson gauge context.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 13.5 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeLong day
ShuttleCar shuttle
A historic concrete arch bridge spans the North Raccoon River at Lake City, Iowa.
River contextNorth Raccoon River at Lake City river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Historic American Engineering Record
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use marked public accesses only, follow Iowa boating/PFD rules, and respect non-meandered-stream private-property limits.
CampingOptions nearbyHyde Park provides endpoint campground support at the put-in. McMahon is documented as a day-use boat-ramp and fishing-riffle access.
SeasonMay-SepLate spring through early fall is the normal planning window. Rain can quickly turn the wooded bends and rock-dam approaches pushy, and summer lows can make riffles and access drops scrapey.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Hyde Park and paddle the longer Greene County North Raccoon split through Brown Bridge to McMahon Access.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Hyde Park Access
DirectionsOpen map

Start below or otherwise avoid the Hyde Park rock dam unless a land scout and skill assessment make conditions clearly appropriate.

Finish

Take-out

McMahon Access
DirectionsOpen map

Brown Bridge is an official intermediate access and rock-dam area; confirm current public access from land.

Road shuttle

Stage at McMahon Access east of Scranton on 230th Street, then launch from Hyde Park. Confirm Brown Bridge from land if using it as a bail-out.

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On-water distance13.5 miCreek-focused
On-water timeLong dayFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Hyde Park Access to McMahon Access is about 13.5 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Additional access notes
  • DNR places McMahon below another rock dam and notes no obvious portage on the map.
More route and safety guidance
  • Use public accesses only; non-meandered banks and bed outside public areas may be private.
Terms and safety
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Sources and methodology

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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 route and mileageHyde Park to McMahon, 13.5 mi

    Iowa DNR names Hyde Park Access to Brown Bridge to McMahon Access as a 13.5-mile section.

    Source

  • Public McMahon endpointConcrete boat ramp and parking

    Greene County / MyCountyParks describes McMahon Access as a concrete boat ramp with parking and fishing riffle.

    Source

  • Threshold range150-2,000 cfs

    CanWePaddle ties the Jefferson-to-Cooper corridor to USGS 05482500.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23228 cfs / 5.14 ft at 2026-07-23 15:15 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

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Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Other routes nearby

More on North Raccoon River

All 9
Eureka Bridge Access to Henderson Park AccessCentral IowaModerate · About 4.5 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Des Moines RiverSouth Fraser Ramp to Waterworks Upstream Access / E-26 · about 31 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5 mi

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