Kayaking & Canoeing the Upper Iowa River
Iowa paddling guide
- 125 mi
- River mapped
- 32
- Boat launches
- 17
- Campgrounds
- 3
- Counties
The Upper Iowa River is one of Iowa's paddling rivers, tracing roughly 125 mi through Allamakee, Howard and Winneshiek Counties. Whether you're kayaking, canoeing or tubing, this guide maps every public boat launch and access point on the Upper Iowa 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 Upper Iowa River
32 public access points for putting in and taking out.
- ▸Black Hawk PointAllamakee Co.
- ▸Bluffton AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Bluffton Fir PreserveWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Canoe Creek AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Chattahoochie AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Chester AccessHoward Co.
- ▸Chimney Rock ParkWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Coldwater Creek Rd BridgeWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Decorah AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Florenceville AccessHoward Co.
- ▸Freeport AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸French Creek Bridge AccessAllamakee Co.
- ▸Highway 76 AccessAllamakee Co.
- ▸Inverson Bridge AccessAllamakee Co.
- ▸Kendalville ParkWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Lidtke ParkHoward Co.
- ▸Lower DamWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Lower Dam - Upper Access
- ▸Lundy Bridge AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Malanaphy SpringWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Road Sweep AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Souhrada ForestHoward Co.
- ▸Trout Run AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Upper Dam - lower accessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Upper Dam - upper accessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Upper Iowa AccessAllamakee Co.
- ▸Upper Iowa AccessHoward Co.
- ▸upper iowa river - lowell's bridgeWinneshiek Co.
- ▸upper iowa river - plymouth rockWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Upper Iowa River AccessWinneshiek Co.
- ▸Wild LandingAllamakee Co.
- ▸Will Baker ParkWinneshiek Co.
Camping near the Upper Iowa River
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Campground
- ⛺Canoe landing
- ⛺Chimney Rock Campground
- ⛺Harvest Farm Campground
- ⛺Hutchinson Family Farms Campground
- ⛺Kendallville Park Campground
- ⛺Lidtke County Park Campground
- ⛺Pulpit Rock Campground
- ⛺White's Riverside Campground
Live Upper Iowa River conditions
River levels change fast. Before you launch, check the live USGS gauges, weather radar and flood-safety status for the Upper Iowa River on the interactive Iowa Paddle map. It flags dangerous high water and dams so you can paddle safely.
Paddle more of Iowa
The Upper Iowa River is just one of dozens of paddleable rivers in the state. Browse the full guide to kayaking & canoeing every river in Iowa.