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See all 9 routes on Big Fork River

Minnesota | Northern Minnesota

Big Fork RiverHighway 6 North to Johnson Landing

Shorter Big Fork Map 2 connector from the Highway 6 North carry-in to Johnson Landing, with official DNR access records, a Johnson watercraft campsite, and the Craigsville interpreted gauge as the upstream same-water-trail check.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 8.3 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 3 hr to 4.5 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
A grassy Big Fork River boat launch slopes down toward a narrow river channel under a bright summer sky.
River contextBig Fork River boat-launch context farther south in Bigfork river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Follow DNR water-trail, state-forest, public-access, watercraft-registration, and PFD rules at both landings and any campsite.
CampingOptions nearbyJohnson Landing has a DNR-mapped watercraft campsite and rest area at the take-out. Treat camping as designated-site only; do not assume private-bank or informal island camping between accesses.
SeasonApr-OctDNR says the Big Fork usually peaks in late April, falls through summer, and can become too rocky at low water. Heavy summer or autumn rain can raise levels quickly.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Highway 6 North and paddle the upper part of Big Fork Map 2 to Johnson Landing. This fills the public-access gap above the existing Johnson-to-Big-Falls route without adding the downstream falls take-out consequence.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Big Fork River, State Hwy 6 (S) / Highway 6 North Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Minnesota public-water-access GIS labels the put-in as State Hwy 6 (S), while DNR route/map copy calls it Highway 6 North; use the river-mile 75.8 record and coordinates to avoid confusing it with the upstream Highway 6 South access.

Finish

Take-out

Big Fork River, Johnson Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

The Craigsville gauge is upstream of the route, so check actual depth and wood at Highway 6 North before committing.

Road shuttle

Stage Johnson Landing first, then drive back to the Highway 6 North carry-in. Confirm the Johnson landing from land before launching because public exits are sparse in this remote forest corridor.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Additional access notes
  • Do not casually continue below Johnson toward Big Falls unless the group planned the separate full-day Johnson-to-Big-Falls route and mandatory take-out above the falls.
More route and safety guidance
  • Low water can make Big Fork rapids rocky or scrape-prone even when the upstream proxy is above the floor. Scout from shore where legal if the line is not obvious.
  • Johnson Landing has watercraft-campsite context, but continuing downstream toward Big Falls changes the trip into the separate mandatory-take-out route above Class IV water.
Terms and safety
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Sources and methodology

Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.

NotesPublished evidence and verification notes

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • DNR map access chainHighway 6 North RM 75.8 to Johnson RM 67.5

    MN DNR Big Fork Map 2 places Highway 6 North, Reilly Brook, Reilly Creek, and Johnson Landing in downstream order, with Johnson identified as a carry-in access, rest area, and watercraft campsite.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS01792 to WAS02708

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Big Fork River State Hwy 6 (S) / Highway 6 North and Johnson public access sites with coordinates and river-mile records.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands4.0 / 4.5-8.5 / 9.5 ft

    MN DNR interprets the Craigsville / Highway 6 gauge as Scrapable below 4.0 ft, Low from 4.0 to 4.5, Medium from 4.5 to 8.5, High from 8.5 to 9.5, and Very High above 9.5.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-234.76 ft at 2026-07-23 09:00 CDT

    This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.

    Source

  • Safety contextClass I-II context, remote banks, Big Falls downstream

    DNR says most Big Fork rapids are Class I-II, water can be too rocky below four feet at Bigfork, and Big Falls downstream is a serious portage-only falls sequence.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Other routes nearby

More on Big Fork River

All 9
Ben Linn Landing to Ivan Crawford LandingNorthern MinnesotaModerate · 34.0 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Little Fork RiverDentaybow to Fiedler · about 17 straight-line mi awayModerate · 13.1 mi

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