Notice: Watercraft will not be provided - attendees must bring their own watercraft to the start access.

Waterbottles and binoculars are also highly recommended!

Clay County Inkpaduta Water Trail – Little Sioux WMA to Kindlespire Wildlife Area ~ 12 miles

Experience a dozen miles of the Little Sioux River as it winds its way along the stretch of the Water Trail between Spencer and Sioux Rapids. The river meanders through a mix of woodland and open countryside, and offers great wildlife watching. This section of the Water Trail is within one of only a few state-designated Protected Waters Areas, recognized for its intact natural features. Paddlers will need to navigate around some deadfalls and along riffles, and should have some paddling experience.

Meet at the Little Sioux WMA Access at 9:00AM to introduce yourself, sign waivers and drop gear before driving down to the Kindlespire Wildlife Area and parking. A shuttle will be provided to attendees back to the start access to begin the float.

Dan Cohen is a writer, photographer, advocate, and naturalist, and provides coonsulting through his Nature Communication business. He previously served as the long-time Buchanan County Conservation Board Executive Director before retiring in 2023. Dan has worked on many Iowa DNR Water Trail projects, and In 2023 and 2024 he provided river reconnaissance exploration and reporting on the Little Sioux River. Dan’s stories and photography are published on his Nature Communications Substack PAGE.

Dan Cohen on the Little Sioux River