See all 21 routes on Sauk River
Minnesota | Central Minnesota
Sauk RiverHorseshoe Lake Access to Lions Park
Downstream Chain of Lakes connector from Horseshoe Lake to Cold Spring Lions Park, ending above the Cold Spring Dam and filling the public-access gap below the Richmond-to-Horseshoe card.
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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
Launch at Horseshoe Lake and take out at Lions Park for the Chain of Lakes continuation below Richmond. The route ends above Cold Spring Dam, so the take-out is part of the safety plan.
Access map
Put-in
Horseshoe Lake Public Water Access SiteHorseshoe Lake resolves as WAS01770 at river mile 29.9 and Lions Park resolves as WAS00438 at river mile 22.3 in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
Take-out
Sauk River, Lions Park Public Water Access SiteThe St. Martin gauge is upstream of this route and should be treated as a same-map proxy. Local lake-chain wind, vegetation, and access depth can override a favorable reading.
Road shuttle
Stage Lions Park in Cold Spring first and identify the take-out above Cold Spring Dam. Then drive back to the Horseshoe Lake access and make a wind and boat-traffic call before launching.
Additional access notes
- Lions Park is the planned take-out before Cold Spring Dam. Do not drift into the dam or portage corridor unintentionally.
More route and safety guidance
- Expect wind, boat wakes, vegetation, snags, and private shoreline through the Chain of Lakes.
- High or rising water, storm debris, and cold water can make the short mileage more consequential than it looks.
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Conditions
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Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official map sequenceHorseshoe Lake river mile 29.9 to Lions Park river mile 22.3
MN DNR Sauk Map 2 marks Horseshoe Lake trailer access, Cedar Island Lake, County Road crossings, Lions Park, and the Cold Spring Dam immediately downstream.
- Public access recordsWAS01770 and WAS00438
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Horseshoe Lake and Sauk River Lions Park with source-backed coordinates, public administrators, and route river miles.
- Official DNR bands14 / 15-17 / 20 ft
MN DNR interprets the upstream 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.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-1614.95 ft at 2026-07-16 05:00 PM
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Camping contextDay route only
DNR Map 2 shows parks and accesses through the Chain of Lakes but does not support an on-route camping plan for this Horseshoe-to-Lions Park segment.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Sauk River
All 21Nearby routes within 75 miles
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