Hills Access to River Junction Access
Start Point: Hills Access (near Hills, Iowa)
End Point: River Junction Access (near Riverside, Iowa)
Length: 9.8 miles Float time: 3.5 hours at moderate pace
Maps: Download printable map (.pdf ~650 KB) Link to map page
Description
Put in at Hills Access just east of the small town of Hills. The boat ramp is located in a nice park managed by Johnson County Conservation Board. Immediately after putting in at the hard-surface boat ramp, you'll go under the County Road F62 bridge. Old Man's Creek,the major tributary in this stretch, enters on the left about 2 miles into your trip. Past that point, the river bends and curves often.
Take out at the River Junction Access boat ramp. This is located in another Johnson County Conservation Board park with a campground and restrooms. The town of Riverside is just a few miles to the west on Highway 22. The Riverside Casino is even closer to the east.
Amenities
At Hills Access: hard surface boat ramp, parking, camping, restrooms, picnic tables
Near Hills Access: food, gas at Hills (2 miles)
At River Junction Access: hard surface boat ramp, parking, camping, restrooms, picnic tables
Near River Junction Access: food, gas at convenience store (2 miles), hotel, food at Riverside Casino (1 mile)
Coordinates
Hills Access latitude/longitude: 91.519429, 41.555096
River Junction Access latitude/longitude: 91.501765, 41.490047
Sturgis Ferry Park to Hills Access
End Point: Hills Access (near Hills, Iowa)
Length: 9.5 miles Float time: 3.5 hours at moderate pace
Maps: Download printable map (.pdf ~650 KB) Link to map page
Description
Start your journey at Sturgis Ferry Park in Iowa City and choose your ending point: Hills Access (9.5 miles) or River Junction Access (an additional 9.8 miles). Both have boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic tables, water, restrooms and plenty of parking space.
A short shuttle from town will get you a nice day of paddling. Once you leave Iowa City, the river snakes back and forth across the floodplain, turning ten street miles into about 18 river miles.
Amenities
At Sturgis Ferry: hard suface boat ramp, parking
Near Sturgis Ferry: food, gas, hotels, attractions at Iowa City (0 miles)
At Hills Access: hard surface boat ramp, parking, camping, restrooms, picnic tables
Near Hills Access: food, gas at Hills (2 miles)
Coordinates
Sturgis Ferry Park latitude/longitude: 41.641792, 91.538455
Hills Access latitude/longitude: 41.555096, 91.519429
