State routes

Iowa Rivers

Compare 129 tracked Iowa paddle routes with route links, water-level context, difficulty, and access planning details.

99 routes support live scores. 30 planning-only routes provide trip details and source links without a live route score.

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129 routes27 rivers14 regions54 beginner routes

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Coverage snapshot

Explore supported Iowa rivers

Scan the highlighted river network from above, then use the route guides and access markers to find a supported reach.

129 route markers19 multi-route rivers54 beginner routes

Supported riverSelected reachAccess-point connectionStrong conditionsGood conditionsWatch closelySkip

Northeast Iowa 33 Central Iowa 24 North Central Iowa 16 Southeast Iowa 12 Eastern Iowa 11 North-Central Iowa 9 Cedar Valley 7 North Iowa 4

Live conditions

Best Iowa routes today

Loading current scores, gauge reads, and weather signals.

--Live

Cedar Valley

Black Hawk Creek

Franck Park to Ranchero Road

Hard | 7.5 mi | About 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr 30 min | Live score supported

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--Live

Cedar Valley

Black Hawk Creek

Ranchero Road to Hope Martin Park

Hard | 6 mi | About 2 hr to 2 hr 45 min | Live score supported

View trip details

--Live

North Central Iowa

Boone River

Albright's Canoe Access to Tunnel Mill Canoe Access

Moderate | About 7.5 mi | About 3.5 hr, longer with low water, scouting, wood, or portage delays | Live score supported

View trip details

--Live

North Central Iowa

Boone River

Bell's Mill Park to Boone Forks Wildlife Area

Easy | About 5.1 mi | About 2.5 hr, longer with low water, wood, or take-out scouting | Live score supported

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Current scores load here when available. You can still open the route links to check details and sources if this update fails.

Best route options

Good starting points in Iowa

Ranked from route metadata, source support, difficulty, and logistics.

The Boone River bends below a wooded bank near Albright canoe access in Hamilton County, Iowa.

Iowa routeNorth Central IowaBoone RiverRiverside Park Access to Briggs Woods ParkLaunch at Riverside Park Access and paddle the official upper Webster City-to-Briggs Woods Boone River section. This is the more approachable half of th...

Route facts

Easy | About 4.5 mi | About 1.5 hr to 2.5 hr depending on level and stops | Live score supportedofficial source support

The Cedar River curves past wooded banks beneath a dramatic sky in George Wyth Memorial State Park, Iowa.

Iowa routeSoutheast IowaCedar RiverJack Shuger Memorial Park, Moscow to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation AreaA county-supported Cedar River day float with developed ramps at both ends, a documented shuttle option, and camping at Saulsbury.

Route facts

Easy | Approximately 9 river miles | About 3 to 5 hours, longer with low water, wind, sandbars, or scouting | Live score supportedofficial source support

Iowa routeNorth Central IowaBoone RiverBriggs Woods Park to Albright's Canoe AccessLaunch at Briggs Woods and take out at Albright for the short, faster-gradient Boone River section. Hamilton County flags this reach for moderately swif...

Route facts

Moderate | About 3.6 mi | About 1.25 hr to 2 hr depending on level and scouting | Live score supportedofficial source support

The Middle River runs between wooded banks with a low gravel bar and overhanging trees.

Iowa routeCentral IowaMiddle RiverMiddle River Forest Park to Schildberg AccessLaunch from Middle River Forest Park Access #89 and take out at Schildberg Access #78. This is the first developed Middle River Water Trail leg, with a...

Route facts

Moderate | About 11 mi | About 3 hr to 4 hr depending on level and scouting | Live score supportedofficial source support

Iowa routeCentral IowaMiddle RiverPammel Park Ford Access to Holliwell Covered Bridge AccessShorter options: 4.0–9.0 miConsolidated Middle River route from Pammel Park to Holliwell Covered Bridge, with Middle River County Park retained as a public intermediate access, ca...

Route facts

Moderate | About 13 mi | About 5 to 7 hours for the full 13-mile route; Middle River County Park provides a shorter roughly 9-mile option | Live score supportedofficial source support

Iowa routeCentral IowaMiddle RiverRoseman Covered Bridge Access to Pammel Park Ford AccessLaunch from Roseman Covered Bridge and paddle the scenic limestone-bluff reach to Pammel Park, taking out river-left before the historic ford portage.

Route facts

Moderate | About 8.7 mi | About 2.5 hr to 4.5 hr, longer with low-water dragging or ford-portage scouting | Live score supportedofficial source support

Beginner routes

Iowa beginner routes

These routes are tagged easy in the route data. Today's water can still change the call.

Boone RiverBell's Mill Park to Boone Forks Wildlife AreaNorth Central Iowa | About 5.1 mi Boone RiverRiverside Park Access to Briggs Woods ParkNorth Central Iowa | About 4.5 mi Boone RiverTunnel Mill Canoe Access to Bell's Mill ParkNorth Central Iowa | About 5.1 mi Cedar RiverBrookwood Park to Janesville City ParkCedar Valley | About 10.1 mi Cedar RiverCedar Bend Park to Three Rivers ParkCedar Valley | 4.2 mi Cedar RiverCharles City Dock to Nashua AccessNorth Iowa | About 12 mi Cedar RiverIdlewild Park Access to Rotary Park AccessNorth Central Iowa | 5.6 mi Cedar RiverInterstate Park / Mitchell to Bennett AccessNorth Central Iowa | About 1.3 mi

Showing 8 of 54 beginner routes. Use the Easy difficulty filter below to see the full set.

Weekend planning

Routes with practical logistics

Use the live weekend board for score-based recommendations.

Black Hawk CreekFranck Park to Ranchero Road7.5 mi | About 2 hr 30 min to 3 hr 30 min Black Hawk CreekRanchero Road to Hope Martin Park6 mi | About 2 hr to 2 hr 45 min Boone RiverAlbright's Canoe Access to Tunnel Mill Canoe AccessAbout 7.5 mi | About 3.5 hr, longer with low water, scouting, wood, or portage delays Boone RiverBell's Mill Park to Boone Forks Wildlife AreaAbout 5.1 mi | About 2.5 hr, longer with low water, wood, or take-out scouting Boone RiverBriggs Woods Park to Albright's Canoe AccessAbout 3.6 mi | About 1.25 hr to 2 hr depending on level and scouting Boone RiverRiverside Park Access to Albright's Canoe AccessAbout 8.1 mi | About 3 hr to 4 hr depending on level and stops

Browse coverage

Rivers and regions

Expand a river or region to browse its routes.

By river

Cedar River20

Des Moines River16

Des Moines River hub Austin Park to Keosauqua Boat Ramp Bentonsport Boat Ramp to Bonaparte Boat Ramp Bonaparte Boat Ramp to Des Moines River Access Deception Hollow to Skillet Creek Access Deer Creek Access to Hydro-electric Park Des Moines River Access to Farmington Access Douds Access to Austin Park Eldon Ramp to Shidepoke Access / Selma Highway 30 Access to Sportsman Ramp Hydro-electric Park to South River District Access Keosauqua Boat Ramp to Bentonsport Boat Ramp Lehigh Access to Deception Hollow Shidepoke Access / Selma to Douds Access Skillet Creek Access to North Fraser Ramp South Fraser Ramp to Waterworks Upstream Access / E-26 South River District Access to Lehigh

Maquoketa River9

Maquoketa River hub Backbone Lake Dam Landing to Dundee Access Canton Bridge Access to Royertown Bridge Access Dundee Access to Manchester Whitewater Park Eby's Mill Access to Supples Bridge Access Manchester Whitewater Park Millertown Bridge to Bridgeport Access Mon-Maq Dam Access to Pictured Rocks Park Pictured Rocks Park to Eby's Mill Access Quaker Mill Dam to Bailey's Ford Access

North Raccoon River9

North Raccoon River hub Eureka Bridge Access to Henderson Park Access Grant Park to Rainbow Bend Access Hagge Park to White Horse Access Henderson Park Access to Squirrel Hollow Park Hyde Park Access to McMahon Access Rainbow Bend Access to Richey Access Richey Access to Hyde Park Access Squirrel Hollow Park to Adkins Bridge Access White Horse Access to Grant Park

Turkey River9

Turkey River hub Big Spring Campground to Elkader Access Clermont Canoe Access to Gilbertson Park / Elgin Elkader Whitewater Park to Garber Access Elkader Whitewater Park to Motor Mill Access Garber Access to Millville Access Gilbertson Park / Elgin to Big Spring Campground Gilbertson Park / Elgin to Elkader Access Millville Access to Ferry Landing Canoe Takeout Motor Mill Access to Garber Access

Wapsipinicon River8

Wapsipinicon River hub Allen's Grove Access to Gambril Access Knott's Landing / Three Elms to Quasqueton Campground Newport Mills Access to Oxford Mills Access Oxford Mills Access to Syracuse Access Sherman Park to Allen's Grove Access Stone City Access to Anamosa Boat Ramp above the dam Syracuse Access to Sherman Park Wapsipinicon State Park to Newport Mills

South Skunk River7

South Skunk River hub Ames 13th Street Play Feature Glendale Access to Rose Hill Access Lekwa Access to Soper's Mill Peterson Park West to Sleepy Hollow River Valley Park to C.J. Shreck Access Sleepy Hollow to River Valley Park Soper's Mill to Peterson Park West

Boone River6

Boone River hub Albright's Canoe Access to Tunnel Mill Canoe Access Bell's Mill Park to Boone Forks Wildlife Area Briggs Woods Park to Albright's Canoe Access Riverside Park Access to Albright's Canoe Access Riverside Park Access to Briggs Woods Park Tunnel Mill Canoe Access to Bell's Mill Park

North Fork Maquoketa River6

North Fork Maquoketa River hub Cascade Historic Limestone Silo to Caven Bridge Access Cascade Historic Limestone Silo to D61 Access Cascade Historic Limestone Silo to Ozark Bridge / 21st Ave D61 Access / Whitewater Creek to Caven Bridge Access D61 Access / Whitewater Creek to Ozark Bridge / 21st Ave Ozark Bridge / 21st Ave to Caven Bridge Access

Upper Iowa River5

Upper Iowa River hub Cattle Creek Road to Malanaphy Springs Iverson Bridge Access to Kumpf Access Lower Dam Access to Iverson Bridge Access Malanaphy Springs to Trout Run Park Trout Run Park to Lower Dam

Iowa River4

Iowa River hub Hills Access to River Junction Access Marengo to Amana Sturgis Ferry Park to Hills Access Tailwater East below Coralville Dam to Sturgis Ferry Park

Middle River4

Middle River hub Middle River Forest Park to Schildberg Access Pammel Park Ford Access to Holliwell Covered Bridge Access Roseman Covered Bridge Access to Pammel Park Ford Access Schildberg Access to Roseman Covered Bridge Access

Lizard Creek3

Lizard Creek hub Cunningham Access to Rasch Access Lentsch Access to Cunningham Access Rasch Access to Phinney Park

Middle Raccoon River3

Middle Raccoon River hub Cowles River Access to Redfield Dam Upper Access Lenon Mill Park Access to P-28 Access P-28 Access to Cowles River Access

Volga River3

Volga River hub Klock's Island Park to Heron Road Access Mederville Canoe Access to Littleport Canoe Access Osborne Canoe Access to Mederville Canoe Access

West Nishnabotna River3

West Nishnabotna River hub Botna Bend Park / Hancock to Chautauqua Park / Oakland Chautauqua Park / Oakland to Olde Town Park / Macedonia Edgington Memorial Park / Avoca to Botna Bend Park / Hancock

Black Hawk Creek2

Black Hawk Creek hub Franck Park to Ranchero Road Ranchero Road to Hope Martin Park

Shell Rock River2

Shell Rock River hub Renning's Landing to Shell Rock Recreation Area Strand Park to Wilkinson Pioneer Park

Yellow River2

Yellow River hub Bridge Sixteen to Highway 76 Volney Canoe Access to Sixteen Bridge

East Nishnabotna River1

Coolbaugh Street / Red Oak to Essex Bridge Access

Little Sioux River1

Linn Grove Dam Area to Riverside Little Sioux Access

Little Turkey River1

Gouldsburg Park to Eldorado Bridge Access

North Skunk River1

Delta to Sigourney / South Skunk River Access

Raccoon River1

Van Meter Access to Walnut Woods State Park

Skunk River1

Cottonwood Loop to Sycamore Loop, Welter Recreation Area

South Raccoon River1

South Raccoon River Access to Van Meter Access

Winnebago River1

Fertile to Mason City

By region

Cedar Rapids Area1

Cedar River: Chain Lakes / Palo to Ellis Harbor

Cedar Valley7

Black Hawk Creek: Franck Park to Ranchero Road Black Hawk Creek: Ranchero Road to Hope Martin Park Cedar River: Brookwood Park to Janesville City Park Cedar River: Cedar Bend Park to Three Rivers Park Cedar River: Kohlmann Park below-dam relaunch to Brookwood Park Cedar River: North Cedar Park to Cedar Bend Park Cedar River: Three Rivers Park to Kohlmann Park portage take-out

Central Iowa24

Des Moines River: Highway 30 Access to Sportsman Ramp Des Moines River: Skillet Creek Access to North Fraser Ramp Des Moines River: South Fraser Ramp to Waterworks Upstream Access / E-26 Middle Raccoon River: Cowles River Access to Redfield Dam Upper Access Middle Raccoon River: Lenon Mill Park Access to P-28 Access Middle Raccoon River: P-28 Access to Cowles River Access Middle River: Middle River Forest Park to Schildberg Access Middle River: Pammel Park Ford Access to Holliwell Covered Bridge Access Middle River: Roseman Covered Bridge Access to Pammel Park Ford Access Middle River: Schildberg Access to Roseman Covered Bridge Access North Raccoon River: Eureka Bridge Access to Henderson Park Access North Raccoon River: Henderson Park Access to Squirrel Hollow Park North Raccoon River: Hyde Park Access to McMahon Access North Raccoon River: Rainbow Bend Access to Richey Access North Raccoon River: Richey Access to Hyde Park Access North Raccoon River: Squirrel Hollow Park to Adkins Bridge Access Raccoon River: Van Meter Access to Walnut Woods State Park South Raccoon River: South Raccoon River Access to Van Meter Access South Skunk River: Ames 13th Street Play Feature South Skunk River: Lekwa Access to Soper's Mill South Skunk River: Peterson Park West to Sleepy Hollow South Skunk River: River Valley Park to C.J. Shreck Access South Skunk River: Sleepy Hollow to River Valley Park South Skunk River: Soper's Mill to Peterson Park West

Driftless Area1

Upper Iowa River: Lower Dam Access to Iverson Bridge Access

Eastern Iowa11

Iowa River: Tailwater East below Coralville Dam to Sturgis Ferry Park Maquoketa River: Eby's Mill Access to Supples Bridge Access Maquoketa River: Millertown Bridge to Bridgeport Access Wapsipinicon River: Allen's Grove Access to Gambril Access Wapsipinicon River: Knott's Landing / Three Elms to Quasqueton Campground Wapsipinicon River: Newport Mills Access to Oxford Mills Access Wapsipinicon River: Oxford Mills Access to Syracuse Access Wapsipinicon River: Sherman Park to Allen's Grove Access Wapsipinicon River: Stone City Access to Anamosa Boat Ramp above the dam Wapsipinicon River: Syracuse Access to Sherman Park Wapsipinicon River: Wapsipinicon State Park to Newport Mills

Iowa City Area2

Iowa River: Hills Access to River Junction Access Iowa River: Sturgis Ferry Park to Hills Access

Iowa County1

Iowa River: Marengo to Amana

North Central Iowa16

Boone River: Albright's Canoe Access to Tunnel Mill Canoe Access Boone River: Bell's Mill Park to Boone Forks Wildlife Area Boone River: Briggs Woods Park to Albright's Canoe Access Boone River: Riverside Park Access to Albright's Canoe Access Boone River: Riverside Park Access to Briggs Woods Park Boone River: Tunnel Mill Canoe Access to Bell's Mill Park Cedar River: Acorn Park to Halvorson Park Cedar River: Bennett Access to Highway 9 Bridge Cedar River: Charles City Whitewater Park Cedar River: Halvorson Park to Interstate Park / Mitchell Cedar River: Highway 9 Bridge to Osage Spring Park Cedar River: Idlewild Park Access to Rotary Park Access Cedar River: Interstate Park / Mitchell to Bennett Access Cedar River: Osage Spring Park to Road T38 Access Cedar River: Road T38 Access to Idlewild Park Access Cedar River: Rotary Park Access to Charles City Dock

North Iowa4

Cedar River: Charles City Dock to Nashua Access Cedar River: Nashua below-dam access to Pearl Rock Cedar River: Pearl Rock to North Cedar Park Winnebago River: Fertile to Mason City

North-Central Iowa9

Des Moines River: Deception Hollow to Skillet Creek Access Des Moines River: Deer Creek Access to Hydro-electric Park Des Moines River: Hydro-electric Park to South River District Access Des Moines River: Lehigh Access to Deception Hollow Des Moines River: South River District Access to Lehigh Lizard Creek: Cunningham Access to Rasch Access Lizard Creek: Lentsch Access to Cunningham Access Lizard Creek: Rasch Access to Phinney Park Shell Rock River: Strand Park to Wilkinson Pioneer Park

Northeast Iowa33

Northwest Iowa4

Little Sioux River: Linn Grove Dam Area to Riverside Little Sioux Access North Raccoon River: Grant Park to Rainbow Bend Access North Raccoon River: Hagge Park to White Horse Access North Raccoon River: White Horse Access to Grant Park

Southeast Iowa12

Cedar River: Jack Shuger Memorial Park, Moscow to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area Des Moines River: Austin Park to Keosauqua Boat Ramp Des Moines River: Bentonsport Boat Ramp to Bonaparte Boat Ramp Des Moines River: Bonaparte Boat Ramp to Des Moines River Access Des Moines River: Des Moines River Access to Farmington Access Des Moines River: Douds Access to Austin Park Des Moines River: Eldon Ramp to Shidepoke Access / Selma Des Moines River: Keosauqua Boat Ramp to Bentonsport Boat Ramp Des Moines River: Shidepoke Access / Selma to Douds Access North Skunk River: Delta to Sigourney / South Skunk River Access Skunk River: Cottonwood Loop to Sycamore Loop, Welter Recreation Area South Skunk River: Glendale Access to Rose Hill Access

Southwest Iowa4

East Nishnabotna River: Coolbaugh Street / Red Oak to Essex Bridge Access West Nishnabotna River: Botna Bend Park / Hancock to Chautauqua Park / Oakland West Nishnabotna River: Chautauqua Park / Oakland to Olde Town Park / Macedonia West Nishnabotna River: Edgington Memorial Park / Avoca to Botna Bend Park / Hancock

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All tracked routes

Every Iowa route on Paddle Today

129 routes with condition and access details.

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Iowa paddling FAQ

How does Paddle Today choose Iowa paddle routes?

Paddle Today lists source-backed routes with reviewed access and trip information. This page includes 99 routes with live-score support and 30 planning-only routes across 27 rivers. Planning-only routes do not have a live route score.

Are these Iowa river conditions live?

Scored routes show the latest available conditions, subject to data availability. Planning-only routes provide trip information and source links without a live route score. Check update times and missing-data notices, and verify conditions with the linked managers before leaving.

Can I request another Iowa route?

Yes. Use the request form to send the river, reach, access points, and any source links. Requests help prioritize useful additions with verified public access and route evidence.