See all 21 routes on Sauk River
Minnesota | St. Cloud Area
Sauk RiverRockville County Park to Heims Mill
Longer lower-Sauk planner that links the Rockville campsite put-in with the Heims Mill/Mississippi finish. Choose it when you want a full day plus the family rapid section in one route 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 Rockville County Park and finish at Heims Mill for a 16.8-mile lower-Sauk day that includes the DNR-noted Class I-II rapids near the river mouth.
Access map
Put-in
Rockville County Park carry-in accessRockville County Park has posted hours, drinking water, and a watercraft campsite, but local rules still override any stale assumptions when you arrive.
Take-out
Heims Mill Canoe AccessHeims Mill is a managed carry-in with restroom and picnic amenities, not a broad paved ramp or a place to sort out a casual shuttle plan.
Road shuttle
Full lower-Sauk self-shuttle from Rockville County Park to Heims Mill. Put the take-out vehicle at Heims because the Mississippi-confluence finish is not where you want to improvise tired logistics.
Additional access notes
- Because the route is long and the technical section comes late, it is worth scouting the take-out before you launch.
More route and safety guidance
- Use the official 15 to 17 ft St. Martin band as level context, not clearance to run the rapids. Low water may make them impassable, while very high water is dangerous and not recommended.
- Watch for snags and fallen trees, especially where current narrows your options. Use the named Rockville County Park and Heims Mill carry-ins and stop only at designated public sites because much of the shoreline is private.
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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
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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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- Checking evidence cautions.
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 |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| 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 shape16.8 river miles
MN DNR Map 2 places Rockville County Park at river mile 16.8 and Heims Mill at river mile 0.0.
- Rapid finishClass I-II in final 2.5 mi
MN DNR warns the last 2.5 miles offer nearly continuous Class I-II rapids and may not be passable at low water.
- Camping and servicesWatercraft campsite at put-in
Stearns County confirms Rockville County Park has a watercraft campsite and drinking water, while Heims Mill provides managed carry-in access, restroom, picnic area, and fishing.
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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