Kayaking & Canoeing the Wapsipinicon River

Iowa paddling guide

225 mi
River mapped
76
Boat launches
24
Campgrounds
9
Counties

The Wapsipinicon River is one of Iowa's paddling rivers, tracing roughly 225 mi through Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan and Cedar and other Counties. Whether you're kayaking, canoeing or tubing, this guide maps every public boat launch and access point on the Wapsipinicon 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 Wapsipinicon River

76 public access points for putting in and taking out.

  • Alcock ParkBremer Co.
  • Alcock Park AccessBremer Co.
  • Aldo Leopold AccessBremer Co.
  • Allen's Grove (SE)Scott Co.
  • Allens GroveScott Co.
  • Anamosa Boat RampJones Co.
  • Barber Creek Wildlife Area AccessClinton Co.
  • Bathing Beach ParkBuchanan Co.
  • Ben Martinson Wildlife AreaClinton Co.
  • Boat RampJones Co.
  • Boat RampJones Co.
  • Boies Bend AreaBuchanan Co.
  • Brewer AccessBremer Co.
  • Bruce Childs AccessBlack Hawk Co.
  • Bruggeman ParkBlack Hawk Co.
  • Buena Vista AccessScott Co.
  • Cedar Rock Quasqueton ParkBuchanan Co.
  • Cortright Wildlife Area AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Cutshall BridgeBuchanan Co.
  • DamBuchanan Co.
  • Frogville AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Guy Grover AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Hay AccessBremer Co.
  • Indenpendence City AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Independence City ParkBuchanan Co.
  • Iron Bridge AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Jungletown River AccessJones Co.
  • Massillon AreaCedar Co.
  • Matsell BridgeLinn Co.
  • McCausland AccessClinton Co.
  • Mickey Fox Wildlife AreaBuchanan Co.
  • Muhl Bridge AccessClinton Co.
  • Newport MillsJones Co.
  • Olin AccessJones Co.
  • Olin PondJones Co.
  • Otterville BridgeBuchanan Co.
  • Oxford MillsJones Co.
  • Paris BridgeLinn Co.
  • Pine Creek AreaBuchanan Co.
  • Pinicon Ridge ParkLinn Co.
  • Quasqueton ParkBuchanan Co.
  • Rigdon AccessBlack Hawk Co.
  • River Birch BottomsBlack Hawk Co.
  • Rock Creek ParkClinton Co.
  • Sand Creek AreaBuchanan Co.
  • Seven Bridges Wildlife AreaBremer Co.
  • Sherman ParkClinton Co.
  • Siggelkov ParkBlack Hawk Co.
  • Smoke Town AccessBremer Co.
  • Snyder AccessBremer Co.
  • Stone CityJones Co.
  • sweet marshBremer Co.
  • sweet marshBremer Co.
  • Sweet MarshBremer Co.
  • Sweet MarshBremer Co.
  • Syracuse AccessClinton Co.
  • Three Elms AreaBuchanan Co.
  • Troy Mills Co. AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Troy Mills Wapsipinicon AccessLinn Co.
  • Troy Mills Wapsipinicon AccessLinn Co.
  • troy mills wildlife areaBuchanan Co.
  • Twin PondsChickasaw Co.
  • WakpicadaLinn Co.
  • Wakpicada Pit 1Linn Co.
  • Wakpicada Pit 2Linn Co.
  • Walnut Grove ParkClinton Co.
  • Wapsi Bend AccessBlack Hawk Co.
  • Wapsi Bluff AccessBlack Hawk Co.
  • Wapsi Junction AreaChickasaw Co.
  • Wapsi River AccessBuchanan Co.
  • Wapsi River Environmental CenterScott Co.
  • wapsi wildlife areaClinton Co.
  • Wapsi Wildlife AreaClinton Co.
  • Wapsie AccessBremer Co.
  • Wapsipinicon State Park Boat RampJones Co.
  • Zell AccessBremer Co.

Camping near the Wapsipinicon River

  • 2
  • 3
  • 6
  • 7
  • Boies Bend County Area
  • CampgroundJones Co.
  • Campground
  • Campground
  • Campground
  • Campground
  • Campground
  • Equestrian Campground
  • Group Campsite
  • Independence City RV Park
  • Kingfisher CampClinton Co.
  • Massillon Campground
  • Pack in Campsite #1
  • Pack in Campsite #2
  • Pinicon Ridge Park Campground
  • Pinicon Ridge Park Campground
  • Rock Creek County Campground
  • Sherman Park
  • Veteran's Memorial Park Campground
  • Walnut Grove Park

Live Wapsipinicon River conditions

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

Paddle more of Iowa

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