Riverwood Landing

For outdoor enthusiasts in Minnesota, especially those near Austin, Riverwood Landing is a recognizable name, though perhaps not for the reasons some might initially assume. While its name might suggest a traditional campground, based on direct customer feedback, it's important to clarify that Riverwood Landing is definitively *not* a campground, RV park, or RV parking area. Instead, it serves a crucial role as a public access point and boat launch along the beautiful Cedar River State Water Trail. This destination is highly valued by paddlers, anglers, and anyone looking to access the serene waters of the Cedar River for recreational activities. It’s a well-known spot for launching kayaks and canoes, offering a direct gateway to explore the scenic river, known for its gentle flow suitable for beginners and excellent fishing opportunities. Riverwood Landing represents a key piece of Minnesota's extensive water trail system, providing a vital entry point to natural beauty and peaceful river adventures.

Riverwood Landing is situated in Austin, MN 55912, USA. While a precise street address for the landing itself isn't commonly listed as a typical commercial establishment, its location within Austin makes it an accessible and well-known spot for local users. Austin, located in Mower County, is a city in southeastern Minnesota, offering relatively easy access from surrounding towns and communities within the region. For residents in southern Minnesota, reaching Riverwood Landing usually involves a straightforward drive, leading to this distinct river access point. Visitors should be aware that the landing's sign is generally "pretty easy to spot" but requires keeping an "eye out for it on the left side of the river." This specific guidance highlights its integration into the natural riverine landscape. As a public access point, it is designed for convenient entry and exit from the Cedar River, facilitating paddling excursions and fishing trips for local adventurers. Its location along the Cedar River State Water Trail further emphasizes its role as a key piece of Minnesota's natural recreational infrastructure.

• Public Boat Launch / River Access: The primary service of Riverwood Landing is providing a public access point to the Cedar River. It functions as a launch site for watercraft, predominantly kayaks and canoes.
• Single-Lane Kayak/Canoe Access: Customer reviews indicate that the landing is "only wide enough for one kayak at a time," which implies dedicated, albeit narrow, space designed for small, non-motorized boats.
• Access to Cedar River State Water Trail: Riverwood Landing is an integral part of the Cedar River State Water Trail, facilitating access to miles of paddling opportunities.
• Fishing Access: The Cedar River is known for excellent fishing, and Riverwood Landing serves as a convenient point for anglers to launch their boats and access fishing spots. The river is home to smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, bullheads, and rock bass.
• Clearly Marked Entry Point: Feedback suggests the "sign is pretty easy to spot," indicating a level of signage provided by managing authorities (likely the Minnesota DNR) to help users locate the access.
• Natural Recreation Gateway: While not providing traditional campground amenities, it offers direct entry into a natural environment suitable for activities like paddling, fishing, and wildlife observation along the river.

• Direct River Access: The most significant highlight of Riverwood Landing is its direct, unhindered access to the Cedar River. This allows paddlers and anglers to quickly get on the water and begin their adventures.
• Prime Location on Cedar River State Water Trail: As a designated access point on the Cedar River State Water Trail, it serves as a starting or ending point for various paddling routes, connecting users to a broader network of natural exploration.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: The Cedar River is highly regarded for its fishing, and Riverwood Landing provides a convenient launch point to access these prime fishing areas. This is a major draw for local anglers.
• Beginner-Friendly Paddling: The Cedar River itself is known for its "moderate flow and no major rapids," making it "wonderful for beginner paddlers." Riverwood Landing's access to this gentle river enhances its appeal for those new to canoeing or kayaking.
• Easy to Spot Signage: Despite being a natural access point, the "sign is pretty easy to spot," which contributes to ease of navigation and reduces frustration for first-time visitors.
• Peaceful Natural Environment: The setting along the Cedar River offers a serene and picturesque environment, ideal for nature observation, photography, or simply enjoying the tranquility of the Minnesota outdoors.
• Designated for Non-Motorized Watercraft: The specific mention of it being "only wide enough for one kayak at a time" highlights its suitability and perhaps intentional design for non-motorized watercraft, maintaining a quieter, more intimate river experience.

As Riverwood Landing is primarily a public access point and not a commercially operated campground, direct phone contact for the "landing" itself is not typically available. Its management and maintenance fall under the purview of state or local natural resource agencies. For information regarding Riverwood Landing and the Cedar River State Water Trail, Minnesota residents should consult the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Minnesota DNR provides extensive resources, including maps, river conditions, and regulations for state water trails. You can often find general contact information for the Minnesota DNR on their official website (mndnr.gov), or by calling their main information center. For specific inquiries about the Cedar River State Water Trail or this particular access point, searching the DNR website for "Cedar River State Water Trail" or contacting their regional offices (such as the Rice Lake Area Office in Owatonna, MN at 507-414-6191, or the DNR Information Center at 888-646-6367) would be the most effective way to gather up-to-date details. The physical address associated with the general area is Austin, MN 55912, USA, which helps in locating it on maps, but it's important to remember it's a public access point, not a facility with a staffed office.

Riverwood Landing, while not a campground, holds immense value for Minnesota locals, particularly those in the Austin area and southeastern Minnesota, due to its critical role as a public gateway to the Cedar River State Water Trail. For Minnesotans who cherish their state's abundant waterways and outdoor recreation, Riverwood Landing offers direct and easy access to a truly beautiful resource. Its primary suitability for locals lies in its convenience for impromptu paddling trips or planned fishing excursions; it's a straightforward "pretty good landing" that allows residents to quickly immerse themselves in nature without the need for extensive planning or travel.

The fact that the Cedar River is "wonderful for beginner paddlers" with its "moderate flow and no major rapids" makes Riverwood Landing an ideal starting point for families and individuals looking to introduce themselves to kayaking or canoeing in a safe and enjoyable environment. Furthermore, for the many Minnesotan anglers, the promise of "excellent" fishing for various species directly from this access point is a significant draw. Even though it's "only wide enough for one kayak at a time," this specificity highlights its dedicated purpose for individual watercraft, fostering a more intimate experience with the river. For locals, Riverwood Landing is a testament to accessible natural beauty and recreational opportunities. It embodies the spirit of Minnesota's outdoor lifestyle, providing a simple yet invaluable access point for countless hours of enjoyment on the water, solidifying its place as a cherished local resource for river adventures.

Riverwood Landing

Austin, MN 55912, USA