Take The Longest Float Trip In Iowa This Summer On The North Raccoon Water Trail
By Ben Jones|Published May 18, 2021
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
There’s perhaps no way more relaxing or refreshing to experience summer in Iowa than on the Raccoon River. The river offers a wide variety of experiences. The north branch of the river is home to Iowa’s North Raccoon Water Trail, a 180-mile-long stretch of water that offers many hours of easy and tranquil paddling. Other sections of the river beckon tubers and become a floating party on hot summer days. Grab your paddle or your tube – here’s what you need to know to float the Raccoon River.
The North Raccoon River Water Trail is a route used by paddlers to explore the North Raccoon River from the Vogel Access Spot in northern Sac County, to the junction with the Des Moines River in Polk County. It’s a chance to experience a river that was mapped by Lewis and Clark in 1814.
It’s a good route for canoeing and kayaking. There are nine access points and each bridge is marked with a sign so you can determine where you are on the river. The paddling is very scenic – high bluffs that flank the river expose glacial till that was deposited 14,000 years ago. In some places the banks tower 50 feet above the river.
Outfitters in Des Moines have everything you need for a Raccoon River float adventure. Raccoon River Tubing has all the gear you need and will take you to the river on a 50-passenger party bus.
Raccoon River Excursions offers float trips in the Adel & Van Meter area. Trips can last anywhere from two to seven hours – it depends on how the river is flowing and the stretch of river that’s selected.