Red River of the North State Water Trail
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Map 1: Breckenridge to Wilkin/Clay County line
The entire Red River is slow moving and easy to navigate. A trip along this section will reveal a mix of agricultural fields and small towns interspersed with wooded shorelines.
Download map
Download map
The Red River formed thousands of years ago as Glacial Lake Agassiz drained. Today, the river's tree-lined banks and flowing water are a novelty in the landscape that surrounds it. Travel just ten miles away and the wildlife and plant species that are abundant in the Red River environment are rarely seen. The river's waters are home to channel catfish and other diverse fish species, offering many angling opportunities.
Hazards include dams and widely fluctuating water levels. Flooding may occur during spring, summer and fall. Be sure to check water levels before your trip. Low water conditions may not be suitable for boating. Snags are common. Leave motors unlocked. Be aware that this river touches two states. Each may have different regulations.
Recommended day trip
Kidder Recreation Area to Brushvale Bridge
- Put-in location: Kidder Recreation Area, river mile 555.5
- Take-out location: Brushvale Bridge Recreation Area, river mile 545.1
- Length: 10.4 river miles
This stretch of the river curves past homes and farmland with forested shoreline. Watch for several islands along the way. You may also see white-tailed deer, great blue herons or bald eagles. You'll find a boat ramp at your put-in and take-out site. Try to spot the giant catfish near Kidder Recreation Area when you launch.
Explore on shore
Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site, river mile 532.0
Take advantage of a nearby boat landing to explore this historic fort in North Dakota. Visit the museum (fee required) or view interpretive signs and buildings along the grounds.
Local contacts
DNR northwest regional office
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-308-2378
Nearest medical facility
Saint Francis Medical Center
2400 Saint Francis Drive, Breckenridge, MN 56520
218-643-3000
Riffles on the river.
Photo: River Keepers
Fields turn to forest along the river's edge.
Photo: River Keepers
Map 2: Wilkin/Clay County line to Georgetown
This section offers wooded shorelines with agricultural land just beyond. The scenery changes quickly leading into the cities of Fargo and Moorhead, which border the river for miles.
Download map
Download map
The Red River formed thousands of years ago as Glacial Lake Agassiz drained. Today, the river's tree-lined banks and flowing water are a novelty in the landscape that surrounds it. Travel just ten miles away and the wildlife and plant species that are abundant in the Red River environment are rarely seen. The river's waters are home to channel catfish and other diverse fish species, offering many angling opportunities.
Hazards include dams and widely fluctuating water levels. Flooding may occur during spring, summer and fall. Be sure to check water levels before your trip. Low water conditions may not be suitable for boating. Snags are common. Leave motors unlocked. Be aware that this river touches two states and each may have different regulations.
Recommended day trip
Fargo North Dam to M.B. Johnson Park
- Put-in location: North Dam, river mile 455.2
- Take-out location: M.B. Johnson Park, river mile 452.1
- Length: 3.1 river miles
Launch just north of the dam for this short trip. You'll pass wooded shorelines with residential areas just beyond. The river twists and curves before hooking sharply to the right around M.B. Johnson Park. Most paddlers take about three hours to complete this route.
Explore on shore
Much of this section of the river borders the cities of Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead, Minnesota. You'll find parks, hiking and biking trails, canoe and kayak rentals, and area businesses not far from the river's edge.
Local contacts
DNR northwest regional office
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-308-2378
Nearest medical facilities
Essentia Health Walk-in Clinic
720 Main Avenue, Moorhead, MN 56560
218-359-0399
Sanford Broadway Urgent Care
720 Fourth Street N, Fargo, ND 58102
701-234-6640
Kayaking the forested shoreline leads you into Fargo and Moorhead.
Photo: River Keepers
Kayaks gather on the river.
Map 3: Georgetown to Belmont Park
This section offers meandering twists and turns that pass wooded shorelines with agricultural land just beyond.
Download map
Download map
The Red River formed thousands of years ago as Glacial Lake Agassiz drained. Today, the river's tree-lined banks and flowing water are a novelty in the landscape that surrounds it. Travel just ten miles away and the wildlife and plant species that are abundant in the Red River environment are rarely seen. The river's waters are home to channel catfish and other diverse fish species, offering many angling opportunities.
Hazards include widely fluctuating water levels. Flooding may occur during spring, summer and fall. Be sure to check water levels before your trip. Low water conditions may not be suitable for boating. Snags are common. Leave motors unlocked. Be aware that this river touches two states and each may have different regulations.
Recommended day trip
Highway 25 to Halstad
- Put-in location: County Road 25 trailer access,river mile 392.7
- Take-out location: Halstad trailer access, river mile 381.5
- Length: 11.2 river miles
Follow the river's slow twists and turns around wooded shoreline with farms and fields beyond. You'll pass the Wild Rice River about halfway through your trip. Most paddlers take about six hours to complete this route.
More to explore
Wild Rice River - river mile 387
If water levels allow, start your paddle on the Wild Rice River and end it on the Red River. Two put-in options exist at carry-in access points along the first few miles of the Wild Rice River. You'll get to experience a bit of variety with shallower waters and a narrower river channel than the Red River.
Local contacts
DNR northwest regional office
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-308-2378
Nearest medical facilities
Altru Hospital
1200 South Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201
701-780-5000
Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center
12 Third Street SE, Hillsboro, ND 58045
701-636-3219
Sanford Broadway Urgent Care
720 Fourth Street N, Fargo, ND 58102
701-234-6640
Spectacular fall colors along the river.
Paddling past long stretches of wooded shoreline.
Map 4: Belmont Park to Grand Marais Creek
This section offers wooded shorelines with agricultural land just beyond. The scenery changes quickly along the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, which border the river for several miles.
Download map
Download map
The river's tree-lined banks and flowing water are a novelty in the vast prairie that surrounds it. Travel just ten miles away and the wildlife and plant species that are abundant in the Red River environment are rarely seen. The river's waters are home to channel catfish and other diverse fish species, offering many angling opportunities.
Hazards include dams and widely fluctuating water levels. Flooding may occur during spring, summer and fall. Be sure to check water levels before your trip. Low water conditions may not be suitable for boating. Snags are common. Leave motors unlocked. Be aware that this river touches two states and each may have different regulations.
Recommended day trip
Lincoln Drive Park to LaFave Park
- Put-in location: Lincoln Drive Park landing,river mile 304.1
- Take-out location: LaFave Parktrailer access, river mile 302.1
- Length: 2 river miles
Take a quick trip through this section of the river. You'll pass wooded corridors with homes and stores in the distance. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the parks before you put in or after you take out.
Explore on shore
Red River State Recreation Area, river mile 301.2
While there is no direct access from the water, you can beach a canoe or kayak along the state recreation area and walk a short distance to the office.
The recreation area offers restrooms, a playground, picnic tables, shoreline fishing, a campground (reservations required) and access to miles of hiking and biking trails.
Local contacts
DNR northwest regional office
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-308-2378
Nearest medical facility
Altru Hospital
1200 South Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201
701-780-5000
Wooded shorelines along the river.
Photo: Brad Durick
Trees border the river's edge through much of this section.
Map 5: Grand Marais Creek to Drayton
This section is full of meandering twists and turns that pass partially wooded shorelines. Just beyond the trees, agricultural land surrounds the river on either side.
Download map
Download map
The Red River formed thousands of years ago as Glacial Lake Agassiz drained. Today, the river's tree-lined banks and flowing water are a novelty in the landscape that surrounds it. Travel just ten miles away and the wildlife and plant species that are abundant in the Red River environment are rarely seen.
River hazards include widely fluctuating water levels. Flooding may occur during spring, summer and fall. Be sure to check water levels before your trip. Low water conditions may not be suitable for boating. Snags are common. Leave motors unlocked. Be aware that this river touches two states and each may have different regulations.
Fishing this segment
The Red River's diverse fish population makes it a great place to cast a line. Northern pike, channel catfish, goldeye, carp and a population of trophy walleye lie within its waters.
An international effort is underway to reintroduce the lake sturgeon, which was decimated by overfishing and dams. It is the only fish species that does not have an open season on the Red River.
Explore the shore
Frank Rose Aquatic Management Area, river miles 239.8 - 240.8
This aquatic management area protects over one hundred acres of habitat along the Red River. Watch for wildlife like raccoons, mink, bald eagles, ducks, great blue herons, Canada geese, pileated woodpeckers, hawks and owls.
The river banks are steep here, but you could land a canoe or kayak for some shoreline fishing.
Local contacts
DNR northwest regional office
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-308-2378
Nearest medical facility
Altru Hospital
1200 South Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201
701-780-5000
Boats lined up along the shoreline.
Photo: River Keepers
Following the river's winding path.
Photo: David Lipp
Map 6: Drayton to the Canadian border
This section offers partially wooded shorelines with agricultural land just beyond.
Download map
Download map
The river's tree-lined banks and flowing water are a novelty in the landscape that surrounds it. Travel just ten miles away and the wildlife and plant species that are abundant in the RedRiver environment are rarely seen. The river's waters are home to channel catfish and other diverse fish species, offering many angling opportunities.
Hazards include a dam and widely fluctuating water levels. Flooding may occur during spring, summer and fall. Be sure to check water levels before your trip. Low water conditions may not be suitable for boating. Snags are common. Leave motors unlocked.
Be aware that this river touches two states and also crosses into Canada. Regulations vary from state to state and country to country - be sure to check them before your trip.
Recommended day trip
Golden Grain to Hilltop
- Put-in location: Golden Graintrailer access,river mile 180.2
- Take-out location: Hilltoptrailer access, river mile 171.2
- Length: 9 river miles
Meander along the river's slow-moving twists and turns. Watch for wildlife or cast a line along the way. Farmland surrounds this area, but you'll see willow, cottonwood and box elder trees bordering much of the river.
Explore on shore
Camping
Several parks offer camping and picnicking options not far from the North Dakota shoreline. Pull over to take a break or make plans at a local campground for a multi-day trip. See the map for locations and details.
Local contacts
DNR northwest regional office
2115 Birchmont Beach Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
218-308-2378
Nearest medical facilities
Unity Medical Center
164 West 13th Street, Grafton, ND 58237
701-352-1620
Kittson Healthcare Clinic
1010 South Birch Avenue, Hallock, MN 56728
800-843-6016
Paddling down the river.
Photo: River Keepers
Follow the river's path northward past Pembina.
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