See all 7 routes on Big Fork River
Minnesota | Northern Minnesota
Big Fork River
Highway 6 South to Johnson Landing
Check current paddling conditions for this Big Fork River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at Highway 6 South and continue through the Highway 6 North access to Johnson Landing on a gauge-at-put-in Big Fork itinerary.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Highway 6 South / State Hwy 6 Bridge carry-in accessBoth endpoints are official public-water-access sites, but they are remote carry-in landings with limited services.
Take-out
Big Fork River, Johnson Public Water Access SiteThe DNR access layer labels the upstream put-in as State Hwy 6 Bridge and the downstream take-out as State Hwy 6 (S), while the DNR route page uses Highway 6 (S) to Highway 6 (N). Use river miles and coordinates to avoid confusion.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Both endpoints are official public-water-access sites, but they are remote carry-in landings with limited services.
- The DNR access layer labels the upstream put-in as State Hwy 6 Bridge and the downstream take-out as State Hwy 6 (S), while the DNR route page uses Highway 6 (S) to Highway 6 (N). Use river miles and coordinates to avoid confusion.
- This route is long enough that daylight, weather, and a realistic bailout plan matter more than on short metro routes.
- 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.
- The Craigsville gauge is upstream of the route, so check actual depth and wood at Highway 6 North before committing.
- 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.
Watch for
- Rocky or impassable rapids when Big Fork levels fall toward the scrapable/low band.
- A Class I rapid immediately below the put-in, plus additional Class I-II rapids, cold water, sweepers, beaver-dam potential, and remote shoreline with limited quick exits.
- Do not continue into Big Falls or Little American Falls sections without separate whitewater and portage planning.
- Low-water rock, shallow riffles, and possible scraping when the upstream gauge is near the floor.
- Strainers, fresh storm wood, cold water, private banks, and limited rescue exposure on a remote northern river.
- Reilly Brook and Reilly Creek confluence current, beaver activity, and long gaps between public road crossings.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Big Fork River nr Craigsville, MN6 |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 4.50 ft to 8.50 ft |
| Low threshold | 4.00 ft |
| High threshold | 9.50 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for Big Fork River near Craigsville |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Qualifying gauge relationshipBig Fork River nr Craigsville, MN6
DNR site 281 is located at the Highway 6 South put-in, so the route begins at its direct interpreted gauge.
- Public-access continuityHighway 6 South to Johnson Landing
The route joins adjacent researched segments whose shared endpoint coordinates and official public-access records match.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Big Fork River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Big Fork River?
Paddle Today watches Big Fork River nr Craigsville, MN6 and treats 4.50 ft to 8.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Big Fork River route start and end?
This route starts at Highway 6 South / State Hwy 6 Bridge carry-in access and ends at Big Fork River, Johnson Public Water Access Site, about About 24.0 mi on the water.
Is this Big Fork River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.