State routes

Iowa Rivers

Compare 101 tracked Iowa paddle routes with route links, water-level context, difficulty, and access planning details.

Paddle Today only lists routes when the gauge, threshold, and source support are defensible enough for live route scoring.

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101 routes26 rivers14 regions43 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.

101 route markers18 multi-route rivers43 beginner routes

Supported riverSelected reachAccess-point connectionStrong conditionsGood conditionsWatch closelySkip

Northeast Iowa 30 Central Iowa 20 North Central Iowa 10 Cedar Valley 7 Southeast Iowa 7 Eastern Iowa 6 North-Central Iowa 6 North Iowa 4

Live conditions

Best Iowa routes today

Loading current scores, gauge reads, and weather signals.

--Live

North Central Iowa

Boone River

Riverside Park Access to Briggs Woods Park

Easy | About 4.5 mi | About 1.5 hr to 2.5 hr depending on level and stops

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Southeast Iowa

Cedar River

Jack Shuger Memorial Park, Moscow to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area

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

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North Central Iowa

Boone River

Briggs Woods Park to Albright's Canoe Access

Moderate | About 3.6 mi | About 1.25 hr to 2 hr depending on level and scouting

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Central Iowa

Middle River

Middle River Forest Park to Schildberg Access

Moderate | About 11 mi | About 3 hr to 4 hr depending on level and scouting

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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 stopsofficial 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 scoutingofficial 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 scoutingofficial 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 scoutingofficial 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 optionofficial 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 scoutingofficial 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 RiverCedar Bluff River Access to Cedar Valley ParkEastern Iowa | About 6.5 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

Showing 8 of 43 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 River15

Cedar River hub Brookwood Park to Janesville City Park Cedar Bend Park to Three Rivers Park Cedar Bluff River Access to Cedar Valley Park Chain Lakes / Palo to Ellis Harbor Charles City Dock to Nashua Access Charles City Whitewater Park Idlewild Park Access to Rotary Park Access Jack Shuger Memorial Park, Moscow to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area Kohlmann Park below-dam relaunch to Brookwood Park Nashua below-dam access to Pearl Rock North Cedar Park to Cedar Bend Park Pearl Rock to North Cedar Park Road T38 Access to Idlewild Park Access Rotary Park Access to Charles City Dock Three Rivers Park to Kohlmann Park portage take-out

Maquoketa River8

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 / Monmouth corridor to Bridgeport Access Mon-Maq Dam Access to Pictured Rocks Park Quaker Mill Dam to Bailey's Ford Access

Des Moines River7

Des Moines River hub Austin Park to Keosauqua Boat Ramp Bentonsport Boat Ramp to Bonaparte Boat Ramp Deception Hollow to Skillet Creek Access Hydro-electric Park to South River District Access Keosauqua Boat Ramp to Bentonsport Boat Ramp Skillet Creek Access to North Fraser Ramp South River District Access to Lehigh

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

Turkey River7

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 Elkader Access Motor Mill Access to Garber Access

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 River6

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

North Raccoon River5

North Raccoon River hub Eureka Bridge Access to Henderson Park Access Henderson Park Access to Squirrel Hollow Park Rainbow Bend Access to Richey Access Squirrel Hollow Park to Adkins Bridge Access Vogel Access to Riverview Access

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

Wapsipinicon River2

Wapsipinicon River hub Knott's Landing / Three Elms to Quasqueton Campground Wapsipinicon State Park to Newport Mills

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 Iowa20

Des Moines River: Skillet Creek Access to North Fraser Ramp 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: Rainbow Bend Access to Richey 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 Iowa6

Cedar River: Cedar Bluff River Access to Cedar Valley Park Iowa River: Tailwater East below Coralville Dam to Sturgis Ferry Park Maquoketa River: Eby's Mill Access to Supples Bridge Access Maquoketa River: Millertown / Monmouth corridor to Bridgeport Access Wapsipinicon River: Knott's Landing / Three Elms to Quasqueton Campground 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 Iowa10

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: Charles City Whitewater Park Cedar River: Idlewild Park Access to Rotary Park 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 Iowa6

Des Moines River: Deception Hollow to Skillet Creek Access Des Moines River: Hydro-electric Park to South River District Access 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

Northeast Iowa30

Little Turkey River: Gouldsburg Park to Eldorado Bridge Access Maquoketa River: Backbone Lake Dam Landing to Dundee Access Maquoketa River: Canton Bridge Access to Royertown Bridge Access Maquoketa River: Dundee Access to Manchester Whitewater Park Maquoketa River: Manchester Whitewater Park Maquoketa River: Mon-Maq Dam Access to Pictured Rocks Park Maquoketa River: Quaker Mill Dam to Bailey's Ford Access North Fork Maquoketa River: Cascade Historic Limestone Silo to Caven Bridge Access North Fork Maquoketa River: Cascade Historic Limestone Silo to D61 Access North Fork Maquoketa River: Cascade Historic Limestone Silo to Ozark Bridge / 21st Ave North Fork Maquoketa River: D61 Access / Whitewater Creek to Caven Bridge Access North Fork Maquoketa River: D61 Access / Whitewater Creek to Ozark Bridge / 21st Ave North Fork Maquoketa River: Ozark Bridge / 21st Ave to Caven Bridge Access Turkey River: Big Spring Campground to Elkader Access Turkey River: Clermont Canoe Access to Gilbertson Park / Elgin Turkey River: Elkader Whitewater Park to Garber Access Turkey River: Elkader Whitewater Park to Motor Mill Access Turkey River: Garber Access to Millville Access Turkey River: Gilbertson Park / Elgin to Elkader Access Turkey River: Motor Mill Access to Garber Access Upper Iowa River: Cattle Creek Road to Malanaphy Springs Upper Iowa River: Iverson Bridge Access to Kumpf Access Upper Iowa River: Kendallville Park to Bluffton Fir Stand Access Upper Iowa River: Malanaphy Springs to Trout Run Park Upper Iowa River: Trout Run Park to Lower Dam Volga River: Klock's Island Park to Heron Road Access Volga River: Mederville Canoe Access to Littleport Canoe Access Volga River: Osborne Canoe Access to Mederville Canoe Access Yellow River: Bridge Sixteen to Highway 76 Yellow River: Volney Canoe Access to Sixteen Bridge

Northwest Iowa2

Little Sioux River: Linn Grove Dam Area to Riverside Little Sioux Access North Raccoon River: Vogel Access to Riverview Access

Southeast Iowa7

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: Keosauqua Boat Ramp to Bentonsport Boat Ramp 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

101 routes with condition and access details.

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Iowa paddling FAQ

How does Paddle Today choose Iowa paddle routes?

Paddle Today lists Iowa routes when the route has enough defensible gauge, threshold, source, and logistics support to make a live route score useful. The current Iowa page includes 101 scored routes across 26 rivers.

Are these Iowa river conditions live?

Open a route page for the latest available gauge readings, weather, water-level context, and route score. Check the update times and any missing-data notices, then verify conditions with the linked sources before leaving.

Can I request another Iowa route?

Yes. Use the request form to send the river, reach, access points, and any source links. Paddle Today prioritizes routes where a public gauge or defensible threshold support can back the live score.