Kettle River
★ Wild & Scenic
Pine Co. · 80 mi · Class II–IV
826CFS/ 5.39 ft
Optimal
→Stable
Optimal: 400–2,500 CFS · USGS #05336700
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
80 mi
Length
Class II–IV
Difficulty
400–2,500 cfs
Optimal
1,100 cfs
Avg Flow
990 cfs
Hist. Median
#05336700
USGS Gauge
Minnesota Wild & Scenic River · Banning State Park

Minnesota's premier whitewater river carves a dramatic sandstone-and-basalt gorge through Banning State Park. The Hell's Gate section delivers continuous Class III–IV rapids through a canyon where 19th-century quarry ruins still cling to the cliffs. Spring snowmelt transforms the Kettle into one of the best intermediate whitewater runs in the upper Midwest.

Trip sections
Banning State Park — Hell's Gate section, 4 mi, Class III–IV gorge
Robinson Park to Sandstone, 15 mi, Class I–II warm-up
Upper Kettle — Moose Lake to Rutledge, 30 mi, scenic flatwater
Outfitters
Banning State Park Paddle Shop
Seasonal kayak rentals and shuttle service at the park
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.