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Maine | Downeast Maine / International St. Croix Waterway

Saint Croix RiverBaileyville public access to Calais public ramp

An 8-mile St. Croix access-to-access route from Baileyville to Calais, connecting the International St. Croix Waterway with a direct Calais-area gauge and tidal-transition planning.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 8 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 3–5 hours
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Saint Croix River in Maine flowing through a forested corridor.
Route photoSaint Croix River; same-river contextPhoto by Keith Ramos / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 8 river milesBaileyville public access to Calais public ramp
DifficultymoderateModerate moving water with current, possible wind exposure, structures, and a downstream transition toward tidal water.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the Calais vehicle first and return to Baileyville. Confirm parking, ramp condition, and any border or event restrictions.
PermitsCheck posted rulesMaine boating/PFD and AIS requirements, municipal ramp rules, and current international-waterway/border guidance apply.
CampingOptions nearbyUse designated nearby campgrounds or Calais/Baileyville lodging; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through fall. Cold water, wind, storms, and shoulder-season daylight are significant; confirm any waterfowl or seasonal access controls.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

An 8-mile St. Croix access-to-access route from Baileyville to Calais, connecting the International St. Croix Waterway with a direct Calais-area gauge and tidal-transition planning.

Access map

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Finish

Take-out

Calais public part-tide ramp
Open mapDirections to take-out

A part-tide ramp is not guaranteed to be usable at every tide or water level; confirm the landing window.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • DACF lists both Baileyville and Calais access anchors.
  • A part-tide ramp is not guaranteed to be usable at every tide or water level; confirm the landing window.

Watch for

  • wind, tide transition, current, cold water, and structures
  • border-waterway rules and identification requirements
  • private/industrial banks and ramp 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.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Saint Croix River in Maine flowing through a forested corridor.
Saint Croix River; same-river contextPhoto by Keith Ramos / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Official USFWS image; exact reach not claimed

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

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.

  • Named route and endpointsBaileyville public access to Calais public ramp; about 8 miles

    DACF lists public access at Baileyville and Calais; USGS identifies the Calais-area St. Croix station and the International Joint Commission as a cooperating context.

    Source

  • Live gauge postureUSGS 01021060, St. Croix River at Calais, ME

    Direct corridor telemetry is available for planning context; inspect local conditions and do not treat the station as a safety certification.

    Source

  • Access controlsNamed public, state, municipal, or managed access only

    Maine launch records provide the access inventory; exact carry paths, parking, fees, closures, and shoreline condition must be rechecked before launch.

    Source

  • Camping classificationnearby_basecamp

    Use designated nearby campgrounds or Calais/Baileyville lodging; no informal riverbank camping is assumed.

    Source

  • Safety postureReviewed planning route

    Wear a properly fitted PFD continuously, file a float plan, and carry communication and rescue equipment appropriate to the remoteness of the reach. Check current USGS trend, weather, water temperature, debris, ice effects, and same-day access notices. A favorable gauge number never overrides visual conditions. The St. Croix is an international waterway; carry identification and confirm current U.S./Canadian boating and border guidance before crossing or landing. Do not approach utility structures, dams, or restricted industrial shorelines.

  • Overlap decisionDistinct access-to-access itinerary retained

    The endpoint pair, trip length, or operational setting is materially different from the other Maine routes in this batch.

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Maine

All 84 routes
Maine route guideBrowse every tracked Maine route.Downeast Maine / International St. Croix WaterwayJump to routes in this region.

More on Saint Croix River

All 5
Calais public ramp to Robbinston public accessDowneast Maine / Washington CountyModerate · About 10 river milesDyer public access to Baileyville public accessDowneast Maine / Washington CountyModerate · About 19 river milesLambert Lake public access to Baileyville public accessDowneast Maine / Washington CountyModerate · About 29 river milesLambert Lake public access to Dyer public accessDowneast Maine / Washington CountyModerate · About 9 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Machias RiverT31 MD BPP access to Machias public ramp · about 28 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 24 river milesPleasant RiverColumbia Pleasant River F&G carry-in to Columbia Falls Fish & Game access · about 38 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 11 river milesPleasant RiverT18 MD access to Columbia Worcester carry-in · about 39 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 12 river milesPleasant RiverColumbia Falls carry-in access to Addison public access · about 40 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 13 river miles

Quick answers

Saint Croix River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Baileyville public access to Calais public ramp route on the Saint Croix River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Baileyville public access to Calais public ramp route on the Saint Croix River start and end?

This route starts at Baileyville public access and ends at Calais public part-tide ramp, about 8 river miles on the water.

Is the Baileyville public access to Calais public ramp route on the Saint Croix River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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