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Minnesota | Wadena Area

Crow Wing RiverCottingham County Park to Old Wadena County Park

Lower Crow Wing county-park connector from Cottingham through Bullard Bluff to Old Wadena, using DNR Map 2 public access and campsite records with a conservative upstream Nimrod gauge caveat.

Route location

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Distance10.6 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 4 hr to 5.5 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Crow Wing River curves between forested banks near Oylen, Minnesota.
River contextCrow Wing River near Oylen river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tony Webster
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo special paddling permit is known. Follow Minnesota boating/PFD requirements and posted Wadena County park, camping, and parking rules.
CampingOptions nearbyCottingham, Bullard Bluff, and Old Wadena have primitive campground context on DNR Map 2. Use only posted county campsites and do not assume informal riverbank camping.
SeasonMay-SepBest during normal late-spring through early-fall levels. Below the 300 cfs scrapable floor, expect exposed sandbars and slow current; above the high band, wooded bends, the Leaf River confluence area, and strainers become more consequential.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Cottingham, pass Bullard Bluff, and finish at Old Wadena for the consolidated lower Crow Wing county-park connector. The Nimrod gauge is upstream, so local depth checks matter.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Cottingham County Park #11 carry-in access
DirectionsOpen map

Cottingham is a busy county-park access in warm weather; confirm parking and the signed launch before leaving a vehicle.

Finish

Take-out

Old Wadena County Park #13 carry-in access
DirectionsOpen map

The Nimrod gauge is upstream and does not remove the need for local checks at Cottingham, Bullard Bluff, and Old Wadena.

Road shuttle

Stage Old Wadena first, then drive back to Cottingham. Bullard Bluff is the clean midpoint access if the group needs a shorter plan or a bail-out.

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Access planner

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On-water distance10.6 miCreek-focused
On-water timeAbout 4 hr to 5.5 hrFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Cottingham County Park #11 carry-in access to Old Wadena County Park #13 carry-in access is about 10.6 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Additional access notes
  • Old Wadena is the selected take-out. Continuing downstream changes the trip plan and adds more remote county-park and dam/reservoir considerations.
More route and safety guidance
  • The Nimrod gauge is upstream of the route. Leaf River inflow, tributary rain, fresh wood, and local sandbar depth can change the practical level call.
  • Old Wadena is the selected take-out. Do not continue toward McGivern, Lake Placid, or downstream dam/reservoir water unless that longer plan is intentional.
Terms and safety
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Conditions

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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.

  • Map supportCottingham 49.5 to Old Wadena 38.9

    MN DNR Map 2 places Cottingham, Bullard Bluff, and Old Wadena on the Crow Wing water trail and supports a 10.6-mile downstream connector across the Leaf River confluence area.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands300 / 400-800 / 1,100 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the upstream Nimrod gauge as Scrapable below 300 cfs, Low from 300 to 400, Medium from 400 to 800, High from 800 to 1,100, and Very High above 1,100.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-16232 cfs at 2026-07-16 20:00

    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

  • Public access recordsWAS01325 / WAS01528 / WAS02504

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Cottingham County Park, Bullard Bluff County Park, and Old Wadena County Park as Wadena County Crow Wing River accesses.

    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 Crow Wing River

All 12
Anderson's Crossing to Cottingham County ParkWadena AreaModerate · 21.3 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Pine RiverPine River #1 to Cross Lake · about 24 straight-line mi awayModerate · 17.3 mi

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