See all 9 routes on North Raccoon River
Iowa | Central Iowa
North Raccoon RiverRainbow Bend Access to Richey Access
Long upper North Raccoon water-trail day from Rainbow Bend to Richey, with public access, oxbow bottomlands, riffles, camping at both ends, and DNR gauge guidance.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Rainbow Bend and paddle the long upper North Raccoon stretch through Hobbs, North Raccoon River, and Merritt access context to Richey. This is a scenic but committed water-trail day with wood, riffles, unsigned accesses, and private-bank limits.
Access map
Put-in
Rainbow Bend AccessRainbow Bend no longer has the older ramp; DNR says paddlers should carry a short distance to the sand/silt beach.
Take-out
Richey AccessHobbs and Merritt are heavily riprapped with cement waste and are difficult for entry or exit; do not plan them as easy bailout points.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Richey Access north of Ralston, then drive back to Rainbow Bend south of Lake City. Confirm the take-out from land because DNR says it is difficult to see from the river.
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Access planner
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Rainbow Bend Access to Richey Access is about 18.1 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- North Raccoon River Access has the best ramp/eddy in the middle of the route, but Richey is hard to spot from the water and its mowed path ends in a vertical drop.
More route and safety guidance
- At higher water, swift current makes avoiding numerous downed trees more difficult. Scout wood from upstream and portage if a line is not clear.
- The North Raccoon is non-meandered. Use public accesses and public areas only; banks and the riverbed outside those areas may be private.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
North Raccoon River near Lanesboro, IA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 | North Raccoon River near Lanesboro, IA |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 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 SCC guide Lanesboro/Jefferson guidance |
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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 mileageRainbow Bend to Richey, 18.1 mi
Iowa DNR names Rainbow Bend Access to Richey Access, including Hobbs, North Raccoon, and Merritt accesses, as an 18.1-mile North Raccoon water-trail section.
- Official gauge guidanceLanesboro 11 ft or below; Jefferson around 1,000 cfs
The same DNR section says most paddlers will find the stretch more pleasurable at or below 11 ft on the Lanesboro gauge and around 1,000 cfs at Jefferson.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-23USGS 05482430 7.69 ft; USGS 05482500 238 cfs / 5.16 ft
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.
- Access and campingRainbow Bend and Richey have camping/toilets
DNR says Rainbow Bend is a carry to a sand/silt beach, North Raccoon River Access is excellent, Richey is hard to see from the river, and camping/toilets are available at both endpoint accesses.
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
More on North Raccoon River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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