See all 21 routes on Sauk River
Minnesota | Central Minnesota
Sauk RiverSpring Hill County Park to St. Martin
Paddle about 9.1 miles from Spring Hill County Park to St. Martin. The gauge is at the take-out, but low water, summer vegetation, and wood upstream still need a same-day check.
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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
Paddle about 9.1 miles from Spring Hill County Park to St. Martin. The St. Martin gauge is at the take-out, but low water, summer vegetation, and wood upstream still need a same-day check.
Access map
Put-in
Spring Hill County Park carry-in access (RM 56.1, right bank)Stearns County confirms St. Martin Canoe Access as a one-acre county site retained as access to the Sauk River, but it is still a simple carry-in rather than a full-service park landing.
Take-out
St. Martin Public Water Access / County Road 12Low water and summer vegetation can make this short route slower and less pleasant than the mileage suggests.
Road shuttle
Short Stearns County self-shuttle between Spring Hill County Park and the St. Martin carry-in near County Road 12. Check county park rules before leaving a vehicle.
More route and safety guidance
- Recheck the gauge and local conditions before launching because river conditions can change; reassess rather than committing on a rising river.
- Use Spring Hill County Park, St. Martin Canoe Access, and other designated sites because MN DNR says much of the Sauk shoreline is private.
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Conditions
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Photos and recent reports
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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 |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| 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 27, 202614.28 ft at 11:00 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.
- 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 shapeAbout 9.1 river miles
MN DNR Map 2 places Spring Hill County Park at river mile 56.2 and the St. Martin carry-in at river mile 47.1, a 9.1-mile day-trip section.
- 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.
- Access supportOfficial county/DNR access points
Spring Hill County Park is a Stearns County park on the Sauk, and Stearns County confirms St. Martin Canoe Access is a one-acre county site retained as Sauk River access.
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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