See all 21 routes on Sauk River
Minnesota | Central Minnesota
Sauk River
Frogtown Park to Rockville County Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Sauk 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
Checking weather.
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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
Use Frogtown Park in Cold Spring as the put-in and Rockville County Park as the take-out. This is the short lower-Sauk option when you want a quick trip without committing to Miller Landing or the St. Cloud finish.
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
Frogtown Park canoe landingFrogtown Park is the mapped carry-in 0.2 river mile below Cold Spring Dam. Start at that downstream landing and do not improvise a put-in upstream of the dam.
Take-out
Rockville County Park carry-in accessRockville County Park has posted hours and county rules that still deserve a same-day check before you leave a shuttle vehicle.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Frogtown Park is the mapped carry-in 0.2 river mile below Cold Spring Dam. Start at that downstream landing and do not improvise a put-in upstream of the dam.
- Rockville County Park has posted hours and county rules that still deserve a same-day check before you leave a shuttle vehicle.
Watch for
- Snags, fallen trees, and overhanging or dead trees; the normal gauge band does not guarantee a clear channel.
- Scrapier water and slower progress when the St. Martin gauge falls toward 14 ft.
- Changing or rising river conditions; reassess rather than relying on an earlier gauge check.
- Private shoreline; stop only at the named public accesses or other designated sites.
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 | Sauk River nr St. Martin, CR12 |
| 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 |
| Target band | 15.00 ft to 17.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 14.00 ft |
| High threshold | 20.00 ft |
| 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 Sauk River near St. Martin |
| 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 bands14 / 15 / 17 / 20 ft
MN DNR interprets the St. Martin gauge as Scrapable below 14 ft, Low from 14 to 15, Medium from 15 to 17, High from 17 to 20, and Very High above 20.
- Route shape5.0 river miles
MN DNR Map 2 places Frogtown Park at river mile 21.8 and Rockville County Park at river mile 16.8.
- Primary cautionsSnags, changing levels, and private shore
The 2026 DNR Map 2 warns about snags and fallen trees, says river conditions can change at any time, and limits stops and camping along private shoreline to designated sites. The same map places Frogtown 0.2 river mile below Cold Spring Dam.
- Access supportOfficial city and county endpoints
Cold Spring confirms Frogtown Park has a canoe landing on the Sauk, and Stearns County confirms Rockville County Park has carry-in access, drinking water, and a watercraft campsite.
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
Sauk River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Sauk River?
Paddle Today watches Sauk River nr St. Martin, CR12 and treats 15.00 ft to 17.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Sauk River route start and end?
This route starts at Frogtown Park canoe landing and ends at Rockville County Park carry-in access, about 5.0 mi on the water.
Is this Sauk 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.