Michigan | Mid-Michigan
Red Cedar RiverRed Cedar Roadside Park to MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch
A water-trail-supported Red Cedar River reach from the public Red Cedar Roadside Park launch through Okemos to the seasonal MSU canoe and kayak launch near Jenison Field House.
Checking current river conditions…
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A Red Cedar River Water Trail reach from Red Cedar Roadside Park through Okemos to the seasonal MSU launch, using direct USGS 04112500 telemetry near the take-out. The 30 cfs screen is a planning aid, not a safety guarantee.
Access map
Put-in
Red Cedar Roadside Park public launchRed Cedar Roadside Park is a public launch with vault toilets; verify current parking and access conditions.
Take-out
MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch near Jenison Field HouseThe MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch is seasonal; confirm campus access, hours, parking, and construction restrictions before staging.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Red Cedar Roadside Park is a public launch with vault toilets; verify current parking and access conditions.
- The MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch is seasonal; confirm campus access, hours, parking, and construction restrictions before staging.
- Urban bridges, wood, current changes, and weather can change the line; use only named public endpoints and do not assume private-bank exits.
Watch for
- Low water, shallow sections, fallen trees, and bridge hazards.
- Rapid rises after storms, cold water, and urban current changes.
- Seasonal MSU access and shuttle timing.
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.
Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Red Cedar River at East Lansing, MI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampWeather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Red Cedar River at East Lansing, MI |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | 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 |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 30 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | USGS 04112500 long-term daily discharge statistics |
| 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.
- Route definitionRed Cedar Roadside Park to MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch
The Red Cedar River Water Trail presents these named waypoints and describes the river as a developing canoe/kayak recreational destination.
- Public endpoints and coordinatesRed Cedar Roadside Park to seasonal MSU launch
The water-trail page publishes coordinates for Red Cedar Roadside Park and the MSU launch, including the seasonal access note.
- Live gauge and thresholdUSGS 04112500; 30 cfs conservative minimum-only screen
USGS provides direct discharge telemetry at Farm Lane Bridge near the downstream endpoint and long-term daily statistics. The 30 cfs floor is a planning screen, not a paddling or safety guarantee.
- Safety and river characterUrban/suburban water trail with bridges, wood, variable current, and seasonal launch conditions
The water-trail landings and MSU seasonal launch support the corridor; same-day checks control around bridges, wood, weather, and any posted urban or campus restrictions.
- Camping and logisticsDay route with shuttle between named public launches; no on-route camping assumed
Arrange a shuttle and use designated nearby lodging or campgrounds; do not camp on campus, park, or private river frontage.
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 explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
More in Michigan
All 26 routesNearby routes within 75 miles
Quick answers
Red Cedar River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Red Cedar Roadside Park to MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch route on the Red Cedar River?
Paddle Today watches Red Cedar River at East Lansing, MI and uses 30 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does the Red Cedar Roadside Park to MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch route on the Red Cedar River start and end?
This route starts at Red Cedar Roadside Park public launch and ends at MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch near Jenison Field House, Approximately 8 to 10 river miles planning reach on the water.
Is the Red Cedar Roadside Park to MSU Canoe & Kayak Launch route on the Red Cedar River suitable 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.