Minnesota / Root River /

Root River, Houston Public Water Access Site

Carry-in (canoe and kayak) · on Root River · near Houston · Minnesota

Status not reported No closure has been posted for this launch, but its agency does not publish open or closed status. Check with the managing agency before you tow.

At the launch

Type
Carry-in (canoe and kayak)
Ramp lanes
1
Ramp surface
Natural
Trailer parking
4 spaces
Car parking
5 spaces
Restrooms
No
Managed by
DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Coordinates
43.76901, -91.57122

Directions (Google) Apple Maps

On Root River

The Root River is a river of about 80 miles in the Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota and a tributary of the Upper Mississippi River. Its main stem forms at Chatfield where the North Branch and Middle Branch meet; the South Branch, which flows from Mystery Cave, joins above Whalan near Lanesboro, and the South Fork joins near Houston. The river passes Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston before entering the Mississippi at Navigation Pool 7, east of Hokah and south of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Between Chatfield and the Mississippi it falls 310 feet, an average of 3.4 feet per mile. The water is somewhat cloudy because the soils in its watershed erode easily. More about Root River.

Boating rules on Root River

  • Clean aquatic plants and animals off watercraft, drain all water away from the landing, and put unwanted bait in the trash before launching and before leaving (DNR state water trail guidance) source
  • Peterson carry-in canoe access closed during the 2026 Mill Street Bridge reconstruction; erosion curtains guide paddlers, and a portage around the worksite is required once overhead work begins (temporary notice) source

Community

Where people who use Root River talk about it.

Nearby launches

Sources

Why it is listed as public: listed by Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites. Something wrong, or is this launch private? Corrections help everyone; a reporting form is coming soon.