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Minnesota | Brainerd Lakes Area
Mississippi RiverKiwanis Park to Crow Wing State Park
Mississippi Headwaters Board / DNR-linked Brainerd day route from Kiwanis Park to Crow Wing State Park, with city and state-park endpoints, Brainerd interpreted gauge support, and broad-river wind/wake caveats.
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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 Kiwanis Park and take out at Crow Wing State Park for the Mississippi Headwaters Board / DNR-linked Brainerd day route. Use the Brainerd DNR gauge as the official near-upstream corridor check.
Access map
Put-in
Mississippi River, Kiwanis Park Public Water Access SiteKiwanis Park resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as a Brainerd city access at river mile 1001.1.
Take-out
Mississippi River, Crow Wing State Park Public Water Access SiteUse the Crow Wing State Park Mississippi River access as the planned finish; the nearby Crow Wing public access is a different record and should not replace the state-park plan without checking signs.
Road shuttle
Stage the Crow Wing State Park take-out first, then drive back to Kiwanis Park in Brainerd. Confirm current state-park entry, parking, launch, and vehicle rules before leaving a car.
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Mississippi River, Kiwanis Park Public Water Access Site to Mississippi River, Crow Wing State Park Public Water Access Site is about 10.7 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- The Brainerd gauge is upstream of the put-in, so pair the official bands with visual checks for wind, landing condition, and post-rain debris.
More route and safety guidance
- Use the Crow Wing State Park landing as the finish for this route. Extending downstream changes the commitment, campsite plan, and Camp Ripley/public-bank assumptions.
- Follow City of Brainerd and Crow Wing State Park access, vehicle, parking, and camping rules before staging the shuttle.
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Conditions
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Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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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.
- MHB route supportAbout 10.7 miles / 3 to 3.5 hours
The Mississippi Headwaters Board Kiwanis route map describes Kiwanis Park to Crow Wing State Park as approximately 10.7 miles and a 3 to 3.5 hour paddle.
- DNR map contextMap 6 additional day trip
MN DNR Mississippi Map 6 and the segments page refer paddlers to the Mississippi Headwaters Board Kiwanis Park to Crow Wing State Park Landing day trip.
- Public access recordsWAS01003 to WAS00990
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Kiwanis Park and the Mississippi River Crow Wing State Park access with public endpoint coordinates and river-mile records.
- Official DNR bands908 / 1,800-7,000 / 10,000 cfs
MN DNR interprets Brainerd as Scrapable below 908 cfs, Low from 908 to 1,800, Medium from 1,800 to 7,000, High from 7,000 to 10,000, and Very High above 10,000.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-22952 cfs at 2026-07-22 14:30 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.
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Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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