About
Cottonwood River, Minnesota — Treaty of Traverse des Sioux. From the Flint Hills limestone canyons to the wider tallgrass valleys downstream, the Cottonwood River cuts 150 miles through Chase and Lyon counties at an average 680 CFS. The Marion to Cottonwood Falls section covers 50 miles through limestone riffles and canyon walls, while the 40 miles from Cottonwood Falls to Emporia open into broader tallgrass prairie views. This was Kanza territory before settlement, and the river runs through what is now the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve corridor. At Class I throughout, the Cottonwood handles a wide flow range from 200 to 2,000 CFS on gauge 07182250. Cottonwood Falls, established as the Chase County seat in 1859, remains the main access hub with local outfitters. The Chase County Scenic Area designation protects the limestone bluffs and prairie remnants that define this stretch of the Flint Hills.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.