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Minnesota | Northeastern Minnesota
St. Louis RiverPaupores to Brookston
Official MN DNR Map 2 day trip through a wooded St. Louis River corridor, with Paupores and Brookston public accesses, watercraft-campsite context, and a conservative Floodwood gauge proxy.
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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 Paupores and take out at Brookston for the official 7.9-mile MN DNR Map 2 day trip. Use the upstream Floodwood gauge conservatively and make a same-day visual call for shallow rapids and wood.
Access map
Put-in
St. Louis River, Paupores Public Water Access SitePaupores and Brookston resolve as DNR Division of Parks and Trails public access sites in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
Take-out
St. Louis River, Brookston Public Water Access SiteThe Floodwood gauge is upstream of this route. It is the official same-map gauge used for scoring, but local depth and wood at the launch still control.
Road shuttle
Stage Brookston first, then drive back to Paupores. Inspect both small trailer accesses before launching because low water, mud, downed trees, or local parking conditions can change the day.
Additional access notes
- Railroad tracks follow parts of the river corridor. Do not use rail property, private banks, or unmarked landings as routine exits.
More route and safety guidance
- The Floodwood gauge is upstream of the route. Pair the official bands with same-day visual checks at Paupores and Brookston for depth, wood, and current.
- Use only public accesses and designated watercraft campsites. Much of the shoreline is wooded or private, and rural rescue response can be slow.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Detailed weather
Weather
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Tomorrow and the weekend
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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.
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 · 2026-07-2223.25 ft at 2026-07-22 17:45 CDT
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.
- Official DNR bands24.4 / 28-37 / 42 ft
MN DNR interprets Floodwood as Scrapable below 24.4 ft, Low from 24.4 to 28, Medium from 28 to 37, High from 37 to 42, and Very High above 42.
- Recommended day trip7.9 river miles
MN DNR recommends Paupores trailer access at river mile 61.8 to Brookston trailer access at river mile 53.9.
- Public access recordsWAS00609 and WAS02081
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Paupores and Brookston as DNR Division of Parks and Trails public access sites with river-mile values, parking, and launch information.
- Camping and hazardsWatercraft campsites; Class I-II rapids
DNR describes watercraft campsites on this segment and warns that Class I-II rapids can be dangerous in high water.
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 St. Louis River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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