The Root River represents a timeless scenic and historic quality characteristic of southeastern Minnesota. The river has a gentle to moderate flow with a few riffles, although water level can vary substantially with rainfall. Many quaint towns along the river offer historical sights, services, and hospitality, making it ideal area for a family day trip. There are no major rapids on this river.
The water flow on the Root River can range from gentle to moderate. From the City of Chatfield to the Mississippi River the river falls 310 feet for an average drop of 3.4 feet per mile. The rivers upper stretches are more steep. River levels peak in mid-March and again in June. Although the watershed has many spring-fed clear water tributaries, including the South Branch, the Root River can be somewhat cloudy (especially after a rain) due to the erosive soil types in the Root River watershed.
The Root River is formed of two branches in the west, the North and Middle, and winds past towering bluffs topped with oak and hickory. Joined above the town of Whalen by the South Branch, a tributary which flows from Mystery Cave, the river continues its way past bluffs and outcrops until the City of Rushford. At this point the river straightens as the valley broadens considerably. The scenery along the river then settles into a gentle plain of pastureland and mixed cottonwood and maple with wooded rolling hills visible in the distance.
There are many species of fish inhabiting the Root River including smallmouth bass, trout, channel catfish, rock bass, sunfish, crappies, and rough fish. Many of these can be found in the active stretches of pooled areas of the river. Brown trout are found in the clearer and colder spring-fed streams, as well as the western end of the South Branch. All anglers fishing in the designated trout waters are required to have a current Minnesota trout stamp.
The Root River area supports over 40 species of birds. Its quite common to see blue herons, egrets, and wood ducks moving about the river's edge. Raptors in the area include red-tailed hawks, osprey, turkey vultures, and bald eagles. Wooded shores harbor mammals such as white tailed deer, gray fox, red fox, coyotes, raccoons, woodchucks, squirrels, weasels, and badgers. River otters and beaver can be found in along the river. Lizards such as the skink, racerunner, and many species of snakes, including the timber rattlesnake, can be found along the river banks and outcrops.
This area served as a gateway for cultures moving northward. The "Mississippian Tradition," a striking example of cultural development, moved north about A.D. 900 to 1000. They farmed the fertile bottom river lands and built terraces above the rivers. In the 1640's, with the onset of European exploration to the area, France claimed this part of the "New World". The newly formed United States bought it from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. The native Dakota Indians continued to inhabit the land until the 1852 Treaty of Traverse de Sioux forced their removal, thus opening the door for further expansion in the area. Soon hardwood stands were cleared and the fields were cultivated. Development of water resources and poor land management led to a negative impact on the river environment. Catastrophic erosion gradually led the people of southeastern Minnesota to initiate wiser use of the land. Eventually the State of Minnesota established what is now known as the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest to restore and prescribe sound multi-use land practices.
geoPDF map of the Root River
Root River nr Mound Prairie, CSAH25
RM 11.9
South Fork Root River nr Houston, MN76
RM 16.8
RM 18.6
South Branch Root River at Lanesboro, Rochelle Ave N
RM 55.7
Root River near Pilot Mound, MN
RM 65.1
905 Bench Street, Whalan, MN 55949; 507-467-9000. Canoe, kayak and tube rentals with shuttle.
35455 State Highway 16, Lanesboro, MN 55949; 507-467-2598. Canoe, kayak, tube and bike rental.
318 Mill Street, Peterson, MN 55962; 507-875-7733; genevas@acegroup.cc. Canoe, kayak and tube rentals; shuttle service.
105 Coffee Street, Post Office Box 317, Lanesboro, MN 55949; 800-994-2943 or 507-467-2943. Canoe, kayak, tube rentals and shuttle service rentals and sales, full service outfitting.
103 Rivers Edge Road, Lanesboro, MN 55949; 507-429-7202. Canoe and kayak rentals on the entire Root River system. Shuttles are also available if you have your own boats. Prices vary depending on the distance.
507-281-9516; Jeff@pilgrimpaddles.com. Serving the Zumbro, Root, and Cannon River watersheds and adjacent Mississippi River since 2005. Offers instruction in canoe, kayak, and standup paddleboard (SUP) as well as guided tours. All sessions run by ACA certified instructor. Also serves Cannon, Mississippi, and Zumbro Rivers.
101 Parkway Avenue South, Lanesboro, MN 55949; 507-467-3400. Canoe, kayak and tube rental. Guided fishing tours.
Main and North Branch of the Root River
The lower part of the Root River offers some of the more calmer floats available on the river and also offers multiple length trips to consider depending upon how long of a trip you want.
The first 6.2 mile long float puts in at Mound Prairie carry-in access (RM 12.0) (L) and the take out spot is at the Hokah carry-in access (RM 5.8) (L) off of Hwy 26 which is also the confluence with the Thompson Creek, a designated trout stream. The river has a 2.9 foot per mile gradient along this stretch. A bicycle shuttle is 9.6 miles and takes about 48 minutes.
A second similar length trip of 6.7 miles and begins at the Houston Landing (RM 18.7) (L) and ends at the Mound Prairie access (RM 12.0) (L). This is a 7.6 mile long bicycle shuttle taking 45 minutes. The river gradient is the lowest of the selected floats at 2.4 feet per mile.
The two trips above could also be combined for a 12.9 mile long float starting at the Houston Landing (RM 18.7) (L) and ending at the Hokah access (RM 5.8) (L). This has an average river gradient of 2.6 feet per mile. It does involve a 15.7 mile long bicycle shuttle taking about 1:24. You may want to consider using a vehicle shuttle as it would reduce the time to 19 minutes.
The trip from the City of Rushford carry in access (RM 33.8) (L) to the Houston landing (RM 18.7) (L) is 15.1 miles long. The river gradient is 3 feet per mile. A bicycle shuttle would be 12.6 miles and take 65 minutes.
Another longer float is the 15.5 mile long trip from the City of Whalen carry in access (RM 49.3) (L) to the City of Rushford carry in access (RM 33.8) (L). The river gradient is 3.4 feet per mile. A bicycle shuttle of 12.8 miles takes about 65 minutes.
An option in this same area is a 13.3 mile long float from the Hwy 16 access (RM 52.2) (R) to the Peterson carry in access (RM 38.9) (R). The river gradient picks up to a 3.8 feet per mile drop. The bicycle shuttle of 11.1 miles along Hwy 16 follow alongside of the river and takes about 1 hour.
A popular float for anglers is the 13.1 mile long trip from Moen's Bridge carry in access (RM 65.3) (R) (County Road 21) to the Hwy 16 access (RM 52.2) (R) although the 8.8 mile long bicycle shuttle can take a 1 hour to complete. At RM 53.2 is the confluence with the South Branch of the Root River. The river gradient for this float is a speedy 5.7 feet per mile drop.
Continuing upstream along the North Branch of the Root River we find a great angling stretch of 13.1 miles of skinny water by putting in at the Parsley Bridge carry in access (RM 78.4) (L) off of US Hwy 52 south of the City of Chatfield and floating down to the Moen's Bridge carry in access (RM 65.3) (R) off of County Road 21. Again this stretch flows well at 4.3 feet per mile river gradient. A bicycle shuttle is about 9.8 miles long mostly following County Road 6 for an hour.
A nice 8 mile trip is found by putting in at the Chatfield access (RM 86.4) (L) off of County Road 2 just west of town and floating down to the Parsley Bridge access (RM 78.4) (L). This is a nice short 4.2 bicycle shuttle taking about 25 minutes. The river gradient appears to be about 5 feet per mile for this stretch.
No trips north of Chatfield on the North Branch of the Root River are shown at this time, although fishing reports do suggest it may be a viable area to consider. - Stay tuned for future updates.
South Branch of the Root River
The South Branch of the Root River is the largest and most diverse trout streams in southeastern Minnesota. The South Branch rises in agricultural areas south of the small towns of Grand Meadow and Spring Valley, before gathering additional spring water infusions and cutting its winding path through sedimentary bedrock west of the Forestville State Park.
During low flows, the upper reach of the South Branch sinks into its porous limestone bed, bypassing a five mile meander and taking a shortcut through the labyrinthine passages of Mystery Cave, Minnesota's longest cavern. The river then reappears downstream at Seven Springs, as a much cooler stream from its subterranean excursion to become prime trout water. The 48°F water creates superb conditions for brook trout.
All anglers fishing in the designated trout waters are required to have a current Minnesota trout stamp.
Although trout tend to garner all of the attention along this branch of the Root River, smallmouth bass are also present in good numbers.
The first float trip to consider along this branch is putting in at the Lanesboro carry in access (RM 56.0), right below the Lanesboro Dam (RM 56.1). From there you can float 6.7 miles down to the City of Whalen carry in access RM 49.3) (L) take out spot. This stretch moves at a fast 6.7 feet per mile river gradient. A bicycle shuttle will be 5.5 mile long and take about 27 minutes.
You can also put in farther upstream at the Preston Pooler City Park (RM 68.4) (R) and float 12.2 miles down to the Lanesboro carry in access (RM 56.2) (R) at the City campground above the Lanesboro Dam (RM 56.1). This has a river gradient of 5.6 feet per mile. A bicycle shuttle for this trip utilizing the Root River bicycle trail system is 11 miles long and takes about 60 minutes. This trip can also be extended to 13.9 miles by putting in at the Preston carry in access (RM 70.1) (L). The river gradient in this last stretch is a bit more steep (7.6 feet per mile) so it increases the average river gradient for this float to 6.1 feet per mile. A bicycle shuttle for this trip is also about 11 miles long and takes about 60 minutes using the bike trail system. A river level gauge is on a bridge support for the County Hwy 17 bridge (RM 69.7). A river level reading of 28.5 means good paddling.
No trips west of Preston on the South Branch of the Root River are shown at this time, although fishing reports do suggest it may be a viable area to consider. - Stay tuned for future updates.