See all 5 routes on Root River
Minnesota | Southeast Minnesota
Root River
Parsley Bridge to Moen's Bridge
Check current paddling conditions for this Root River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
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
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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 at Parsley Bridge and finish at Moen's Bridge for an upper-North-Branch Root day with riffles, bluffs, and a more secluded feel than the bigger lower Root routes.
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
Parsley Bridge carry-in accessBoth endpoints are bridge carry-ins rather than polished ramp launches, so expect a short carry and verify where parking is actually acceptable before unloading boats.
Take-out
Moen's Bridge carry-in accessMoen's Bridge is the cleaner endpoint and the DNR map notes a toilet facility there, but it is still best to look at the take-out before launching.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Both endpoints are bridge carry-ins rather than polished ramp launches, so expect a short carry and verify where parking is actually acceptable before unloading boats.
- Moen's Bridge is the cleaner endpoint and the DNR map notes a toilet facility there, but it is still best to look at the take-out before launching.
- Do not assume shoulder parking at Parsley is generous or obvious without checking the site in person.
Watch for
- Shallow riffles and scrape risk when Pilot Mound is near the floor.
- Woody obstructions and overhanging or dead trees; DNR describes the route as having fewer obstructions at typical levels, not as obstruction-free.
- Rain-driven level changes, the longer shuttle, and private shoreland outside mapped accesses and campsites.
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
Why this score
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 | Root River near Pilot Mound, MN |
| 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 |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 8.25 ft |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MilesPaddled Root River North Branch guidebook range note |
| 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 context13.3 river miles
MN DNR recommends Parsley Bridge to Moen's Bridge as a full-day North Branch Root trip, from Parsley Bridge carry-in access at river mile 78.4 to Moen's Bridge carry-in access at river mile 65.3.
- Published preferred band8.25 to 9.25 ft at Pilot Mound
MilesPaddled cites an older guidebook preferred range for the North Branch and reports a trip day of 8.7 ft / 550 cfs as close to ideal.
- Access supportDNR carry-in accesses at both ends
DNR Map 1 names Parsley Bridge carry-in access at river mile 78.6 and Moen's Bridge carry-in access at river mile 65.3, with a toilet facility and river-level gauge at Moen's Bridge.
- Route characterGentle to moderate flow with riffles
MN DNR describes the Root River as having a gentle to moderate flow with some riffles, while warning that levels vary substantially with rainfall. Its 2026 Map 1 says recommended sections have fewer woody obstructions at typical levels, directs paddlers to avoid obstacles and overhanging or dead trees, and limits shore use to designated sites because much of the shoreland is private.
- On-route campsite supportPilot Mound campsites
DNR Map 1 lists Pilot Mound campsites on this reach with picnic tables and pit toilets, which supports treating this as a possible overnight corridor even though the product fit is still mainly day-trip.
- Conservative low-water floor8.25 ft
The app uses the lower edge of the published preferred band as a cautious floor because the source trail does not define a separate hard minimum below it.
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.
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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
Root River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Root River?
Paddle Today watches Root River near Pilot Mound, MN and uses 8.25 ft as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Root River route start and end?
This route starts at Parsley Bridge carry-in access and ends at Moen's Bridge carry-in access, about 13.25 mi on the water.
Is this Root River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.