Mississippi River, Co Rd 72 State Water Access Si*

The County Road 72 boat ramp provides access to the Mississippi River near Warba in Itasca County. This access point puts you on one of North America's most significant waterways—a major river (Stream Order 10) with substantial flow averaging over 685,000 cubic feet per second. The river in this region maintains a relatively gentle gradient of approximately 0.8 feet per mile, making it suitable for various watercraft including kayaks, canoes, and motorboats.

Before launching, be aware that the Mississippi River at this location has moderate average velocity around 11 feet per second, so paddlers should be experienced with moving water conditions. The site provides access to the upper Mississippi watershed, which drains nearly 1 million square miles and eventually flows to the Gulf of Mexico. Nearby recreation opportunities include the Mississippi River Headwaters area and Pokegema Lake. For specific facility details such as ramp type, parking capacity, amenities, and current conditions, contact the Itasca County Parks Department or check with local Minnesota DNR resources before your visit.