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Minnesota | Central Minnesota

Sauk RiverMill Pond to Oak Township County Park

Upper Sauk Map 1 connector from the Melrose/Mill Pond access through the Melrose Dam portage to Oak Township County Park, filling the access gap above the existing Oak-to-Spring-Hill card.

Route location

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Open access map
DistanceAbout 12 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 4 hr to 6 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Sauk River winds through a wooded winter corridor with ice along the banks and bright clouds overhead.
River contextSauk River near Sartell river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow DNR water-trail guidance, Stearns County park rules, Minnesota boating/PFD requirements, and posted parking rules.
CampingOptions nearbyDNR Map 1 marks camping/picnic context at Sauk River Park near Melrose and watercraft campsite context at Oak Township County Park. Use only designated county or mapped sites and confirm current rules before planning an overnight.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through early fall is the practical window. This upper reach can be slower, weedier, or shallower than the downstream St. Martin gauge implies, so inspect the Mill Pond launch and Oak take-out before committing.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Mill Pond, portage left around Melrose Dam, and take out at Oak Township County Park for the upper-Sauk access gap above the existing Oak-to-Spring-Hill card.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Sauk River, Mill Pond Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Mill Pond resolves as WAS02216 at Sauk River mile 78.8 in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.

Finish

Take-out

Oak Township County Park canoe access
DirectionsOpen map

Oak Township is the same Stearns County park endpoint used by the adjacent Oak-to-Spring-Hill route; DNR Map 1 places it at river mile 67.0 with watercraft campsite/rest/toilet context.

Road shuttle

Use a Melrose-to-Oak Township County Park shuttle. Walk the Mill Pond launch, Melrose Dam portage, and Oak take-out plan before committing because the dam comes almost immediately after launch.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Additional access notes
  • The St. Martin gauge is downstream of this route, so use it as a corridor check and make visual calls for upper-river depth, weeds, wood, and dam-portage safety.
More route and safety guidance
  • The St. Martin gauge is downstream of this upper reach. Pair its official bands with a same-day visual check for weeds, low water, and fresh wood.
  • Use named public or county-park landings only. Private banks and farm edges are not assumed legal bailout or camping options.
Terms and safety
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Conditions

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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.

  • Map 1 access chainMill Pond RM 79.0 to Oak Township RM 67.0

    MN DNR Sauk Map 1 places Mill Pond trailer access, Melrose Dam with portage left, Sauk River Park, and Oak Township County Park in sequence.

    Source

  • Public access recordsMill Pond WAS02216; Oak Township county park

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Mill Pond with coordinates and river-mile records. Oak Township is the same Stearns County park endpoint used by the adjacent Oak-to-Spring-Hill route.

    Source

  • Official 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.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-1714.92 ft at 2026-07-17 05:00

    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.

    Source

  • Camping supportSauk River Park and Oak Township campsite context

    DNR Map 1 marks camping/picnic context at Sauk River Park and watercraft campsite/rest/toilet context at Oak Township County Park.

    Source

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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 21
Eagle Park to Heims MillSt. Cloud AreaModerate · 16.2 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Long Prairie RiverLong Prairie to Browerville · about 21 straight-line mi awayEasy · 13.3 mi

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