The river flows southeast from Lake Koronis for about 125 miles to the Mississippi River at Dayton. The roughly 40 mile stretch from upstream of Rockford to the Mississippi is generally the best for canoeing. Once flanked by a thick forest of maple, basswood, elm, and other hardwoods, the river is now bordered by agriculture, prairie and hardwood vegetation. This river is generally smooth, with a few class I rapids in the Forest City area.
- Segment 1 - Koronis Lake to Howard Lake
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The upper reaches of this river are more challenging to paddle due to sandy, erodible banks and silver maples that fall and block the channel. Some sections are impassable in low water. You may see more wildlife in this upper section, but you will have to work harder to get around numerous obstacles and sharp bends in the river.
This section of the river is narrow, shallow and fairly clean from the Lake Koronis Spillway to Kingston. A two-mile stretch below Lake Koronis is only canoeable during high water. Numerous drainage ditches in the area result in the river rising quickly and falling slowly. The river deepens and widens downstream from Kingston, meandering in a floodplain that is sometimes more than a mile wide.
Hazards include a low bridge and frequent river obstacles. Rapids are few and easy, but be alert for underwater branches and overhanging trees that can tip canoes and kayaks. While unlawful, river neighbors sometimes string fences across the river. Notify the DNR if you encounter one.
Recommended day trip
Betty T. Mason to Wildlife County Park
- Put-in location: river mile 79.3, Betty T. Mason carry-in access
- Take-out location: river mile 69.1, Wildlife County Park carry-in access
- Length: 10.2 river miles
Paddle the river's narrow twists and turns past wooded shoreline and farm fields. Keep an eye out for underwater snags and overhanging trees along the way. Make it a longer trip by camping at Wildlife County Park (permit required) and taking out at Albright's Mill County Park.
Explore on shore
Meeker and Wright county parks
Take a break from paddling at several county parks along this section of the river. Some offer watercraft campsites, allowing you to plan a multi-day trip. Check with individual parks for information about camping permits or fees.
Nearest medical facility
Allina Medical Clinic, 303 Catlin Street, Buffalo, MN 55313
763-682-1212Meeker Memorial Hospital, 612 South Sibley Avenue, Litchfield, MN 55355
320-693-4500
Late fall on the upper North Fork of the Crow River.- Segment 2 - Howard Lake to the Mississippi River
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The river deepens and widens downstream from Kingston, meandering past forest, prairie and agricultural landscapes in a floodplain that is sometimes more than a mile wide. Rapids are few and easy, although snags may cause problems. Hazards include a dam, as well as underwater branches and overhanging trees that can tip canoes and kayaks.
The 40-mile stretch from upstream of Rockford to the Mississippi River is the most popular destination for day trips. Along this section, the river becomes broad and deep as the Crow River's south fork joins it near Rockford. The mills still stand at river mile 18 and 10.5, where dams were located in the past.
Recommended day trip
Riverside County Park to Mississippi/Crow
- Put-in location: river mile 15.4, Riverside County Park carry-in access
- Take-out location: river mile 0.1, Mississippi/Crow rivers trailer access
- Length: 15.3 river miles
Paddle past partially wooded shoreline with fields, houses and prairie beyond. Your destination will be the confluence with the Mississippi River. Watch for great blue herons, white-tailed deer and bald eagles along the way. This route takes the average paddler 6-8 hours.
Explore on shore
County and regional parks
Take a break from paddling at several county and regional parks along this section of the river. Some even offer watercraft campsites, allowing you to plan a multi-day trip. Check with individual parks for information about camping permits or fees.
Nearest medical facility
Allina Medical Clinic, 303 Catlin Street, Buffalo, MN 55313
763-682-1212Maple Grove Hospital, 9875 Hospital Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55369
763-581-1000
Paddlers on the lower North Fork - Crow River.
The lower North Fork - Crow River.
- Fish and wildlife
Eating fish from a Minnesota river or lake? Read the MN Department of Health's fish consumption advisory.
The Crow River was named by the Ojibwe for the bird they called the "marauder of newly planted corn." Considered a sacred hunting ground by the Indians, the forest later attracted white trappers. Today there is still abundant fish and wildlife in the river corridor.
- History
The Crow River's North Fork passes several archaeological sites, although none have been thoroughly studied. Two sites near Lake Koronis have a total of 43 mounds.
Early European settlers began building homes near Dayton in 1851. Several lumber mills operated along the river as the forest was cleared for agriculture. Steamboats were the only means of hauling passengers and freight during the early 1850's. Paddlewheel boats brought provisions from St. Anthony Falls to Dayton, where the goods were transferred to rowboats and carried up the river. Rowboats regularly ran supplies from Dayton to Rockford for about two years. In May 1851, when the river was high, the steamboat "Governor Ramsey" paddled to Rockford, farther upstream than any other steamboats had traveled.
- Local contact
DNR central regional office, 1200 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106
651-259-5841