Minnesota | Twin Cities North Metro
Rice CreekPeltier Lake to Long Lake
Plan the 15.2-mile Peltier Lake-to-Long Lake trail (about 5–7 hours) in Rice Creek's official 6.30–7.90 ft passable band. The first seven miles cross five lakes, so check wind, intermediate exits, possible culvert portages, and the marked fish-barrier portage when signs and buoys are present.
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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
The full Peltier Lake-to-Long Lake trail is 15.2 miles and takes an estimated 5–7 hours. The first seven miles cross five lakes, so wind and shorter exits matter; County Road I may require a high-water portage, and the Long Lake fish-barrier portage is marked when operational.
Access map
Put-in
Peltier Lake public boat launch (Lino Lakes)Multiple intermediate landings make it easy to shorten the route if wind or time becomes a problem.
Take-out
Long Lake Boat Landing / Long Lake Regional ParkWargo Nature Center on George Watch Lake is rentals/boat return only on the official map and is intentionally not modeled as a public self-launch. Use Aqua Lane for the first documented intermediate public access.
Road shuttle
Self-shuttle is typical, and multiple intermediate landings make shorter one-way options possible.
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Access planner
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Peltier Lake boat launch to Long Lake Boat Landing / Long Lake Regional Park is about 15.2 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- The electric fish barrier upstream of Long Lake is a mandatory marked portage when operational. Obey all signs and buoys; RCWD says paddlers may pass without portaging only when neither is present.
More route and safety guidance
- The electric fish barrier upstream of Long Lake is a mandatory marked portage only when operational. Obey all signs and buoys; RCWD says paddlers may pass without portaging only when neither is present.
- Fallen trees are expected, and high or low water can block culverts and road crossings, especially between Baldwin Lake and I-35W. Portage blocked passages instead of forcing them.
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Conditions
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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
Rice Creek near New Brighton, MN. 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 | Rice Creek near New Brighton, MN |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Preferred range | 6.30 ft to 7.90 ft |
| Low threshold | 6.30 ft |
| High threshold | 7.90 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Rice Creek Watershed District water-level 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.
- Published level band6.30 to 7.90 ft
Rice Creek Watershed District publishes this as the passable water-level recommendation.
- Route shapeFive lakes before the creek narrows
The upstream miles are lake crossings, so wind can matter more than the gauge suggests.
- Verified public access sequenceAqua Lane to Long Lake Boat Landing
The official trail map marks Aqua Lane as a limited-parking public access and the south-shore Long Lake Boat Landing as the 15.2-mile finish. It labels Wargo Nature Center rentals/boat return only and identifies the farther-north beach as a separate limited canoe access requiring a portage.
- Portage noteCounty Road I may require a portage in high water
The official trail map flags County Road I as a possible high-water portage point.
- Barrier noteMarked portage when the Long Lake fish barrier is operational
RCWD says signs and buoys mark the barrier and portages when in use; paddlers must follow them and may pass without portaging only when neither is present.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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