See all 7 routes on North Fork Crow River
Minnesota | Central Minnesota
North Fork Crow RiverBetty T. Mason River Access to Wildlife County Park
Upper North Fork Crow day with a narrower, woodier feel than the lower Dayton route. It has a real DNR-recommended route and an official Cokato level ladder, but strainers, tight bends, and steep access keep it from being a blind beginner yes.
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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 Betty T. Mason County Park and take out at Wildlife County Park. This is a narrow upper North Fork Crow day where the gauge matters, but wood and tight bends still drive the practical decision.
Access map
Put-in
Betty T. Mason County Park carry-in accessBetty T. Mason is an improved but steep carry-in access, so scout the carry before unloading.
Take-out
Wildlife County Park carry-in accessBoth endpoints are Wright County public river accesses, but park hours and camping rules still apply.
Road shuttle
Plan a simple two-car shuttle between the Wright County parks. Wildlife County Park also has a reservable canoe campsite if you are turning this into a longer North Fork plan.
Additional access notes
- Stay off private shoreland between the named accesses; Wildlife County Park camping requires a separate reservation.
- This upper reach is more obstruction-prone than the lower North Fork Crow route already in the app.
More route and safety guidance
- Drainage ditches can make this part of the river rise quickly. Reassess after rain even when the Cokato gauge remains inside the published band.
- DNR says unlawful fences sometimes cross the river. Do not attempt a blocked line; report encountered fences to DNR and use only the named public accesses or reserved campsite.
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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.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | North Fork Crow River nr Cokato, CSAH4 |
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| Preferred range | 300 cfs to 600 cfs |
| Low threshold | 241 cfs |
| High threshold | 800 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
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| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for North Fork Crow River near Cokato |
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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 bands241 / 300-600 / 800 cfs
MN DNR interprets the Cokato reading as Scrapable below 241 cfs, Low from 241 to 300, Medium from 300 to 600, High from 600 to 800, and Very High above 800.
- Recommended trip10.2 river miles
MN DNR recommends Betty T. Mason carry-in access to Wildlife County Park carry-in access as the Map 1 day trip on the North Fork Crow.
- Access confidenceWright County river accesses
Wright County identifies Betty T. Mason County Park and Wildlife County Park as public river-access sites on the North Fork Crow River.
- Route characterNarrow bends and wood
DNR describes this upper segment as shallow and obstruction-prone, with underwater branches, overhanging trees, and possible unlawful fences across the river.
- Supplemental flow context500 cfs makes canoeing fairly easy
DNR fisheries access guidance for Betty Mason says 500 cfs makes for fairly easy canoeing on this access-to-Wildlife County Park corridor.
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 North Fork Crow River
All 7Nearby routes within 75 miles
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