Kayaking & Canoeing the Des Moines River

Iowa paddling guide

294 mi
River mapped
73
Boat launches
53
Campgrounds
11
Counties

The Des Moines River is one of Iowa's paddling rivers, tracing roughly 294 mi, winding through Boone, Dallas, Lee and Mahaska and other Counties. This guide maps 73 public boat launches and access points and 53 nearby campgrounds on the Des Moines River, plus the live USGS gauge readings you need to plan a safe day kayaking, canoeing or tubing in Iowa.

A popular way to paddle the Des Moines River is to put in at Deer Creek Area and take out at Red Wing Access — check the live gauge first and always leave a shuttle vehicle at your take-out.

🗺️ Open the live paddling map

Boat launches & access points on the Des Moines River

73 public access points for putting in and taking out.

  • ▸Austin ParkVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Becker Wildlife AreaWebster Co.
  • ▸Bennington BridgeMarion Co.
  • ▸Bentonsport ParkVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Birdland ParkPolk Co.
  • ▸Black Hawk River AccessWapello Co.
  • ▸Black Hawk Road AccessWapello Co.
  • ▸Boat RampVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Boat Ramp
  • ▸Bonaparte RampVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Boone Forks Wildlife Area Skillet AccessWebster Co.
  • ▸Carlson Recreation AreaWebster Co.
  • ▸Center Street DamPolk Co.
  • ▸Cherry Glen Day UsePolk Co.
  • ▸Cliffland AccessWapello Co.
  • ▸Coliseum RampWapello Co.
  • ▸Cottonwood AccessPolk Co.
  • ▸Deception HollowWebster Co.
  • ▸Deer Creek AreaWebster Co.
  • ▸Des Moines River AccessVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Dogwood RampBoone Co.
  • ▸Dolliver State ParkWebster Co.
  • ▸Douds AccessVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Eddyville Boat RampWapello Co.
  • ▸Eldon RampWapello Co.
  • ▸Eveland AccessMahaska Co.
  • ▸Farmington AccessVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Ford AccessWarren Co.
  • ▸Hardfish AccessMonroe Co.
  • ▸Harriet Street AccessPolk Co.
  • ▸Howell Station Recreation RampMarion Co.
  • ▸Hwy 210 AccessBoone Co.
  • ▸Hwy 30 AccessBoone Co.
  • ▸Ivan's Recreation AreaMarion Co.
  • ▸Jay Carlson Wildlife AreaBoone Co.
  • ▸Kalo Bridge AccessWebster Co.
  • ▸Keosauqua RampVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Lakeview - Cherry Glenn High WaterPolk Co.
  • ▸Lakeview Main APolk Co.
  • ▸Lakeview Main BPolk Co.
  • ▸LehighWebster Co.
  • ▸Lewis A. Jester ParkPolk Co.
  • ▸Lincoln AccessPolk Co.
  • ▸Lower DamWebster Co.
  • ▸North Fraser RampBoone Co.
  • ▸Norton's Ford River AccessBoone Co.
  • ▸Phinney ParkWebster Co.
  • ▸Pleasant Hill Boat RampPolk Co.
  • ▸Prospect ParkPolk Co.
  • ▸Ramp
  • ▸Ramp
  • ▸Ramp
  • ▸Red Rock Tailwater AreaMarion Co.
  • ▸Red Wing AccessLee Co.
  • ▸Rhoades AcresBoone Co.
  • ▸Rock Bluff ParkWapello Co.
  • ▸Runnells AccessWarren Co.
  • ▸SandpiperPolk Co.
  • ▸Saylorville DamPolk Co.
  • ▸Shidepoke AccessVan Buren Co.
  • ▸Shultz AreaVan Buren Co.
  • ▸South Fraser RampBoone Co.
  • ▸Sportsman RampBoone Co.
  • ▸Sub-1 RampDallas Co.
  • ▸Swede Point (BCCB - Fishing access)Boone Co.
  • ▸Sycamore AccessPolk Co.
  • ▸Turkey Run AccessLee Co.
  • ▸Upper DamWebster Co.
  • ▸Waterworks Ramp (downstream)Boone Co.
  • ▸Waterworks Ramp (upstream)Boone Co.
  • ▸Woodman HollowWebster Co.
  • ▸Yellow Banks AccessPolk Co.
  • ▸Yellow Banks Park PondPolk Co.

Camping near the Des Moines River

  • ⛺ACORN VALLEY
  • ⛺Acorn Valley Campground
  • ⛺Bob Shetler
  • ⛺Bob Shetler
  • ⛺Bob Shetler
  • ⛺BOB SHETLER PICNIC AREA
  • ⛺BOB SHETLER RECREATION AREA
  • ⛺Camp Hantesa
  • ⛺CampgroundVan Buren Co.
  • ⛺CampgroundWebster Co.
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Campground
  • ⛺Camping Area #1
  • ⛺Camping Area #2
  • ⛺Camping Area #3
  • ⛺Camping Area #4
  • ⛺Camping Area #6
  • ⛺Chanotedah
  • ⛺Chippewa
  • ⛺COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA
  • ⛺Des Moines YMCA Camp
  • ⛺Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground
  • ⛺Fox
  • ⛺Hopi
  • ⛺Howell Station Recreation Area
  • ⛺Inactive Campsite
  • ⛺Iriquois
  • ⛺Ivans Recreation Area
  • ⛺Keokuk Village
  • ⛺Kickapoo
  • ⛺Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Campground
  • ⛺Lake Prarie
  • ⛺Mohawk
  • ⛺Navajo
  • ⛺Onondaga
  • ⛺Osage
  • ⛺Ottawa
  • ⛺Ottumwa RV Park
  • ⛺Pilot Point
  • ⛺Sioux (East)
  • ⛺Staff Quarters
  • ⛺Staff Quarters
  • ⛺Wakan
  • ⛺Yellow Banks Watercraft CampsitePolk Co.
  • ⛺Zuni

Live Des Moines River conditions

runnable

Des Moines River: 2,360 cfs, 10.6 ft — runnable.

Yes — right now the Des Moines River is runnable at 2,360 cfs (as of Jul 25, 2026, 7:00 AM CT), within its normal paddling range. Iowa rivers rise fast after heavy rain, so always check the live USGS gauge and skip the river when it reads high or is flagged for flooding.

Typically runnable between about 500 and 15,000 cfs. Treat readings above 15,000 cfs as dangerous high water and below 500 cfs as too low to float. Provisional paddling band — always scout on site.

Source: USGS Des Moines River blw Raccoon Riv at Des Moines, IA, updated Jul 25, 2026, 7:00 AM CT. Live readings are provisional — always confirm on the map before launching.

River levels change fast. Check the live USGS gauges, weather radar and flood-safety status for the Des Moines River on the interactive Iowa Paddle map. It flags dangerous high water and dams so you can paddle safely.

Des Moines River paddling FAQ

Is the Des Moines River safe to paddle right now?
Yes — right now the Des Moines River is runnable at 2,360 cfs (as of Jul 25, 2026, 7:00 AM CT), within its normal paddling range. Iowa rivers rise fast after heavy rain, so always check the live USGS gauge and skip the river when it reads high or is flagged for flooding.
Where can I put in and take out on the Des Moines River?
A popular run is from Deer Creek Area to Red Wing Access. In all, the Des Moines River has 73 mapped public boat launches — leave a shuttle vehicle at your take-out and confirm access before you go.
How long is the Des Moines River?
About 294 mi of the Des Moines River is mapped for paddling across 11 Iowa counties, with 73 access points to build shorter day trips.
Do I need a permit to kayak or canoe the Des Moines River?
No permit is required to paddle Iowa's rivers. Non-motorized kayaks and canoes don't need registration; just wear a life vest, check the live USGS gauge, and avoid the river during or after heavy rain.

Rivers to paddle near the Des Moines River

Close by if you're planning a kayaking or canoeing trip in this part of Iowa:

Paddle more of Iowa

The Des Moines River is just one of dozens of paddleable rivers in the state. Browse the full guide to kayaking & canoeing every river in Iowa.