Kayaking · Iowa
Kayaking in Iowa
2 outfitters across Iowa. Ratings, hours, contact details and a map for each, all in one place.
Mapped river miles
12,616 mi
655 named reaches
Rated 4.5+ on Google
1 of 2
Cities
2
Best season
Apr to Oct
Operators
Kayaking operators
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Rivers
Rivers and streams to paddle in Iowa
- Named rivers and streams mapped in Iowa
- 12,616 mi
- River reaches
- 655
- Reaches with a USGS flow gauge
- 157
Rivers with the most mapped miles
- Des Moines River425 mi
- Mississippi River387 mi
- Missouri River332 mi
- Wapsipinicon River290 mi
- Cedar River286 mi
Source: USGS National Hydrography Dataset. Miles count the named river reaches on our map, not every river in the state.
Flow gauges: U.S. Geological Survey. Flood stages and forecasts: NOAA National Weather Service.
Resources
More to explore in Kayaking
Hand-picked videos and free guides from the community to help you plan your next trip.
Videos worth watching
Hand-picked clips, sorted by what you do.
Kayaking | How to Paddle a Kayak || REI
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Kayaking | How to Get in Your Kayak || REI
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Kayaking on Lakes – Everything You Need to Know
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Kayaking on Rivers | Paddling for Beginners
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Top 10 Kayaking Tips to Level Up Your Paddling
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How to Train for Kayaking || REI
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Guides worth reading
Trip briefs, prep checklists, and how-tos. Free to read.
Free tools
