The Inkpaduta Canoe Trail on the Little Sioux runs from Spencer, in Clay County, Iowa, to Smithland, in southern Woodbury County. This span of river is approximately 134 miles in length. The Trail area is characterized by safe, convenient public access areas in each county. Some public accesses include camping and restroom facilities, concrete or gravel boat ramps and walking trails. Information about each access is available from individual county conservation boards and can also be found in the 2007 Edition of the Outdoor Adventure Guide (on sale now at most CCB offices).

 

Within Cherokee County, the Little Sioux River strikes a scenic pose, meandering through a valley rich in historic and natural resources. Native American villages hidden by time, abandoned homestead sites, virgin prairies and rich woodlands line the river banks, along with productive cropland and working pastures.

 

The Cherokee County Conservation Board maintains 12 river access areas from the northern county border to the southern. These various access points permit paddlers to experience a relaxing 1-4 hour float or to escape for a camping and floating adventure over 3 or more days. Even during low-water conditions, the Little Sioux is generally navigable by kayak or canoe. High water warrants caution and perhaps a voluntary delay to wait for safer conditions.

 

The river is ever-changing, as it winds through shifting sand, soil and gravel deposits left behind by ice age glaciers. Sandbars are littered with mussel shells, modern and petrified bones, fossils, polished stones, ancient shark teeth and the tracks of elusive river otters and bobcats. Whitetail deer, wood ducks, great blue herons and soft-shelled turtles are common sights. Fallen trees occasionally bar the way, and depth varies from too shallow to float to 8 ft. deep. This slow river is a safe river, however, with few dangerous obstacles, no fences and no dams within Cherokee County. An open mind to adventure is the only requirement beyond life preservers and paddles.