See all 12 routes on Crow Wing River
Minnesota | Brainerd Lakes Area
Crow Wing RiverGreen Oak Landing to Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3
Lower Crow Wing connector from Green Oak to Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3, with Truck Station, Al Vah, campsite support, reservoir wind exposure, and a mandatory finish immediately above Pillager Dam.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Green Oak, pass Truck Station and Al Vah, and finish at Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3. The finish is immediately above Pillager Dam, so this card is only appropriate when the take-out is confirmed and conditions are controlled.
Access map
Put-in
Green Oak Landing carry-in accessLake Placid Reservoir Landing #3 is the mandatory finish. DNR Map 2 places Pillager Dam just downstream, so do not miss the landing or continue casually.
Take-out
Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3 public water accessThe route transitions from river bends into Lake Placid Reservoir; wind, waves, boat traffic, and slower current can dominate the final miles.
Road shuttle
Stage Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3 first and confirm the dam-adjacent take-out is obvious from the water, then drive back to Green Oak. Truck Station and Al Vah are the clearest intermediate access checks.
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Access planner
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Green Oak Landing carry-in access to Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3 is about 14.6 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- The Sylvan Dam gauge is downstream of the route and below the dam corridor. Use the official bands as a lower-river guide, then make a local visual call before launching.
More route and safety guidance
- Al Vah begins the reservoir portion. Wind, boat traffic, and slower current can matter more than the gauge once the river widens.
- The Sylvan Dam gauge is downstream of the selected take-out and dam, so pair the official bands with visual checks at Green Oak, Truck Station, Al Vah, and Lake Placid.
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Conditions
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Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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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 bands400 / 800-3000 / 5000 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Sylvan Dam gauge as Scrapable below 400 cfs, Low from 400 to 800, Medium from 800 to 3,000, High from 3,000 to 5,000, and Very High above 5,000.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-171,150 cfs at 2026-07-17 06:45
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.
- Map supportGreen Oak RM 26.4 to Lake Placid RM 11.8
MN DNR Map 2 places Green Oak, Truck Station, Al Vah, Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3, Placid Lake campsite, and Pillager Dam in downstream order.
- Mandatory dam boundaryPillager Dam RM 11.7
DNR Map 2 places Pillager Dam immediately below Lake Placid Reservoir Landing #3 and describes mapped portages; this card treats the landing as the required finish.
- Public access recordsWAS01756 / WAS02854 / WAS01949 / WAS01657
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Green Oak, Truck Station, Al Vah, and Lake Placid Reservoir #3 with coordinates and public access records.
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 12Nearby routes within 75 miles
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