Kayaking & Canoeing the Little Sioux River
Iowa paddling guide
- 219 mi
- River mapped
- 54
- Boat launches
- 1
- Campgrounds
- 10
- Counties
The Little Sioux River is one of Iowa's paddling rivers, tracing roughly 219 mi through Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay and Dickinson and other Counties. Whether you're kayaking, canoeing or tubing, this guide maps every public boat launch and access point on the Little Sioux River, the campgrounds nearby, and the live gauge readings you need to plan a safe day paddling in Iowa.
Boat launches & access points on the Little Sioux River
54 public access points for putting in and taking out.
- ▸Barnes AccessCherokee Co.
- ▸Bluebird AccessBuena Vista Co.
- ▸Burned Out BridgeObrien Co.
- ▸cayler prairie complexDickinson Co.
- ▸Cayler Prairie State PreserveDickinson Co.
- ▸Copeland ParkWoodbury Co.
- ▸County Bridge AccessWoodbury Co.
- ▸Diamond LakeDickinson Co.
- ▸Gabrielson Park AccessBuena Vista Co.
- ▸Hannibal Waterman Wildlife AreaO’Brien Co.
- ▸Hawk Valley Wildlife AreaClay Co.
- ▸High Bridge Wildlife AreaClay Co.
- ▸Horseshoe BendDickinson Co.
- ▸Inkpaduta AccessWoodbury Co.
- ▸Judd Canoe AccessDickinson Co.
- ▸Kindlespire ParkClay Co.
- ▸Linn Grove Dam ParkBuena Vista Co.
- ▸Little Sioux DeltaHarrison Co.
- ▸Little Sioux Park AccessWoodbury Co.
- ▸Little Sioux Wildlife AreaClay Co.
- ▸Lowhead DamMonona Co.
- ▸Martin AccessCherokee Co.
- ▸Nelson AreaCherokee Co.
- ▸Old Dutch Fred AccessObrien Co.
- ▸Oneota Little Sioux AccessClay Co.
- ▸Orleans Boat RampDickinson Co.
- ▸Pearse AreaCherokee Co.
- ▸Prarie Heritage Center AccessObrien Co.
- ▸Quimby BridgeCherokee Co.
- ▸Ranney KnobCherokee Co.
- ▸Redtail Ridge AreaCherokee Co.
- ▸Reiter Wildlife AreaClay Co.
- ▸Ritts AccessCherokee Co.
- ▸Riverside AccessClay Co.
- ▸Silver Sioux Recreation AreaCherokee Co.
- ▸Sioux Rapids City ParkBuena Vista Co.
- ▸Smithland AccessWoodbury Co.
- ▸Soo AccessCherokee Co.
- ▸Spooky Hollow Canoe AccessDickinson Co.
- ▸Spring LakeCherokee Co.
- ▸Stahl ParkWoodbury Co.
- ▸Stieneke AccessCherokee Co.
- ▸Stolleys PitClay Co.
- ▸Stouffer Memorial Wildlife RefugeClay Co.
- ▸Sue Jordahl Canoe AccessCherokee Co.
- ▸Twin Forks Canoe AccessDickinson Co.
- ▸Twin Forks Wildlife AreaDickinson Co.
- ▸Walling AccessWoodbury Co.
- ▸Wanata Park AccessClay Co.
- ▸Washta AccessIda Co.
- ▸West Leach ParkClay Co.
- ▸Westcott ParkCherokee Co.
- ▸Westcott ParkCherokee Co.
- ▸Yellow Throat Wildlife AreaClay Co.
Camping near the Little Sioux River
- ⛺Woodland Campground
Live Little Sioux River conditions
River levels change fast. Before you launch, check the live USGS gauges, weather radar and flood-safety status for the Little Sioux River on the interactive Iowa Paddle map. It flags dangerous high water and dams so you can paddle safely.
Paddle more of Iowa
The Little Sioux River is just one of dozens of paddleable rivers in the state. Browse the full guide to kayaking & canoeing every river in Iowa.