Maple River is an unincorporated community in Carroll County, in the U.S. state of Iowa.
A post office was established as Maple River Junction in 1877, and renamed Maple River in 1883; the post office remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1968. The community took its name from a nearby stream lined with soft maple trees.
Maple River's population was 76 in 1902, and 108 in 1925. The population was estimated at 100 in 1940.