See all 10 routes on Rum River
Minnesota | Twin Cities North Metro
Rum River
Martin's Landing to North County Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Rum River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
CautionThis route has hazards or access considerations that require extra verification.
Safety details
Use the St. Francis gauge before launching: below 600 cfs expect scraping and a slower day, while above 3,000 cfs this easy-looking route becomes a high-water call with more current and debris consequence.
- Martin's Landing to North County Park is a long 11.5-mile recommended section. Check same-day river conditions and scan for downed trees or fresh flood debris rather than assuming a recommended route is clear.
- Use the named public landings and county park rules, and stay off private shoreland between them. Carry cold-water and rescue contingencies outside midsummer.
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 note
Target band: 1,000 cfs to 2,000 cfs · Rum River near St. Francis, MN
Gauge context
Treat the DNR medium band as the best window here. Below about 600 cfs gets too scrapy, and above 3,000 cfs turns this into a high-water day rather than a casual yes.
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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
Put in at Martin's Landing and take out at Rum River North County Park. This is a straightforward scenic shuttle day when the St. Francis gauge is comfortably above scrape level.
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
Martin's Landing trailer accessThe take-out is a county park, so local park hours or parking rules can matter more than on a roadside access.
Take-out
Rum River North County Park accessDo not assume flood-stage debris cleanup has already happened after recent storms just because the route is usually easy.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- The take-out is a county park, so local park hours or parking rules can matter more than on a roadside access.
- Do not assume flood-stage debris cleanup has already happened after recent storms just because the route is usually easy.
Watch for
- Low-water scraping and slower pace when the gauge falls toward the 600 cfs floor.
- Fresh strainers and debris after heavy rain or spring runoff.
- Cold-water exposure outside midsummer, even on a mellow current day.
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 | Rum River near St. Francis, MN |
| 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 |
| Target band | 1,000 cfs to 2,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 600 cfs |
| High threshold | 3,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Rum River near St. Francis |
| 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.
- DNR bands600 / 1,000 / 2,000 / 3,000 cfs
MN DNR interprets this gauge as Scrapable below 600 cfs, Low from 600 to 1,000, Medium from 1,000 to 2,000, High from 2,000 to 3,000, and Very High above 3,000.
- Route characterEasy scenic day
MN DNR treats Martin's Landing to Rum River North County Park as a recommended paddling trip with few rapids and a wider, deeper lower-river feel.
- Access confidenceVerified
Martin's Landing and Rum River North County Park are both documented public endpoints for this corridor.
- Primary cautionFlood debris
Rising post-rain water can add debris and make an easy scenic route feel less forgiving.
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 jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Rum River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Rum River?
Paddle Today watches Rum River near St. Francis, MN and treats 1,000 cfs to 2,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Rum River route start and end?
This route starts at Martin's Landing trailer access and ends at Rum River North County Park access, about 10.9 mi on the water.
Is this Rum 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.
