Red River of the North segments and maps

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.

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
Riffles on the river.
Photo: River Keepers

 

Fields turn to forest along the river's edge
Fields turn to forest along the river's edge.
Photo: River Keepers

 

Red River area map


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.

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
Kayaking the forested shoreline leads you into Fargo and Moorhead.
Photo: River Keepers

 

Kayaks gather on the river
Kayaks gather on the river.

 

Red River area map


Map 3: Georgetown to Belmont Park

This section offers meandering twists and turns that pass wooded shorelines with agricultural land just beyond.

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
Spectacular fall colors along the river.

 

Paddling past long stretches of wooded shoreline
Paddling past long stretches of wooded shoreline.

 

Red River area map


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.

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 Park trailer 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
Wooded shorelines along the river.
Photo: Brad Durick

 

Trees border the river's edge through much of this section
Trees border the river's edge through much of this section.

 

Red River area map


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.

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

A row of boats lined up along the shoreline
Boats lined up along the shoreline.
Photo: River Keepers

 

The widened river flows gently in this section
Following the river's winding path.
Photo: David Lipp

 

Red River area map


Map 6: Drayton to the Canadian border

This section offers partially wooded shorelines with agricultural land just beyond.

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 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 Grain trailer access, river mile 180.2
  • Take-out location: Hilltop trailer 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
Paddling down the river.
Photo: River Keepers

 

Follow the river's path northward past Pembina
Follow the river's path northward past Pembina.

 

Red River area map

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