See all 21 routes on Sauk River
Minnesota | St. Cloud Area
Sauk RiverMiller Landing to Heims Mill
Lower Sauk finish that links the easy Miller Landing start with the full confluence run to Heims Mill. Choose it when you want one medium-length card for the whole Waite Park to Mississippi finish rather than splitting the day at Knights of Columbus Park.
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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
Use Miller Landing as the put-in and Heims Mill as the take-out for the full Waite Park-to-confluence lower-Sauk finish that includes the DNR-noted Class I-II section near the mouth.
Access map
Put-in
Miller Landing carry-in accessMiller Landing is a managed county access with posted hours, so do not assume unlimited late retrieval if the day runs long.
Take-out
Heims Mill Canoe AccessHeims Mill is a simple carry-in county access with restroom and picnic amenities, not a broad ramp or a place to sort out a casual shuttle plan.
Road shuttle
Lower-Sauk self-shuttle from Waite Park to Heims Mill. Keep the take-out vehicle at Heims because the confluence finish is not where you want to improvise tired logistics after the rapid section.
Additional access notes
- Do not let the moderate mileage hide the fact that the lower 2.5 miles are the technical part of the Sauk family.
More route and safety guidance
- Stay near the official 15 to 17 ft St. Martin band. Low water can make the rapids bony or partly impassable, while levels above 20 ft increase current speed and recovery consequence.
- Watch for snags, deadfall, and private shoreline constraints. Use the county-managed Miller Landing and Heims Mill carry-ins and confirm same-day park hours before leaving vehicles.
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Conditions
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Recent trend
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Gauge source
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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.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Sauk River nr St. Martin, CR12 |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 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 |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Gauge check during route review · July 13, 202615.34 ft at 10:00 AM
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.
- 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 shape7.6 river miles
MN DNR Map 2 places Miller Landing at river mile 7.6 and Heims Mill at river mile 0.0.
- Rapid finishClass I-II in final 2.5 mi
MN DNR warns the final 2.5 miles are boulder-filled Class I-II rapids that may not be passable at low water.
- Access supportOfficial county endpoints
Stearns County documents Miller Landing on the Sauk and confirms Heims Mill Canoe Access has carry-in access plus restroom and picnic amenities.
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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