New to the Cedar River?
Don’t worry, we’ll get you up to speed!
The Cedar River in Cedar Rapids has a lot to offer. Below are some resources to get you started.
Quick Links: Ellis Boat Harbor Boat Ramps Beaches River Navigation
Ellis Boat Harbor
Ellis Harbor is just off of Ellis Road, across from Ellis Park. There are 2 different channels in the harbor, with the channel closest to Ellis Road housing the “boathouses,” and the channel closest to the main river channel housing the “houseboats,” along with docks on the far side for boaters to rent. Below is an annotated map of the harbor. Boat ramps are marked. The two ways to get to the harbor are from the NW side through Edgewood Road and the SE side from F Ave, Penn St., or E Ave.
The storage quarry is typically where people store their boat trailers in the summer and their houseboats in the winter. Spaces are rented through the City. It is not associated with the boat club.
Harbor slips, docks, and stalls are available for rent through the City of Cedar Rapids; contact the City of CR at recreation@cedar-rapids.org or 319-286-5566.
Boat Ramps
There are quite a few boat ramps that boaters are able to launch in. The first three boat ramps are all right by the harbor: the harbor ramp, the Ellis main channel ramp, and the Mohawk boat ramp. There is also a boat ramp upriver at Chain Lakes park, which is the Chain Lakes boat ramp. However, the river has not been favorable for water depth up by Chain Lakes in recent years.
Ramp Locations
Ellis Harbor Ramp
Ellis Main Channel Ramp
Mohawk Boat Ramp
Chain Lakes Boat Ramp
Beaches and Names
Here you will find information such as the names and location of beaches along the upriver side of the Cedar River. These names are not formal beach names nor are they official. They are just names that are commonly used by many boaters.
Cove Beach
This beach is in the Cove, which is just downriver from the Harbor. When you exit the harbor headed downriver, the Cove entrance will be on your left. This beach is typically where the 3rd of July fireworks are set off.
Hobo Beach
Hobo Beach is the first beach on the right side (upriver) after the Edgewood Road bridge. It can be accessed by boat and by foot through Seminole Valley Park.
Cowpie Beach
Cowpie beach is on the left side (going upriver) after the right-hand curve after Hobo Beach. It is directly next to Pillars Beach. It can be accessed by boat (be careful of sandbars in the middle of the channel!) and also by car/foot through a path that is opened by the land owner on certain boat club events.
Pillars Beach
Pillars beach is one of the most commonly used beaches today. It is in the middle of the channel between the pillars that are in the channel after Hobo beach. It is directly next to Cowpie beach. It is only accessible by boat. The channel runs through the right side of pillars (going upriver).
Unnamed Beach 1
This beach is unnamed and we are looking for a name for it! It is just before Hobo Beach, right on the curve after the Edgewood Bridge.
Unnamed Beach 2
This beach is also unnamed. It is just before Hobo Beach on the left side of the channel.
Unnamed Beach 3
This beach does not have a name yet. It is just before Cowpie and Pillars beach.