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See all 7 routes on North Fork Crow River

Minnesota | Central Minnesota

North Fork Crow RiverForest City to Kingston

Upper North Fork Crow public-water-trail section from Forest City to Kingston, downstream of the Manannah alert reach and using the Highway 22 DNR interpreted gauge as a same-corridor proxy.

Route location

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DistanceAbout 12.0 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 4 hr to 6 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Crow River flows under a railroad bridge in Rockford, Minnesota, with people sitting near the water at the landing.
River contextCrow River at Rockford river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Jerry Huddleston via Wikimedia Commons
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.

Permits, camping and season
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. Use the named DNR public accesses, follow Minnesota boating/PFD rules, and respect private banks and posted local rules.
CampingDay tripNo on-route public watercraft campsite is documented for this Forest City-to-Kingston section. Plan it as a day trip or reserve lodging/camping away from the river.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through early fall is realistic when the Highway 22 gauge is at or above the official low floor. Low water can make riffles too shallow; storms can move wood and increase bridge current.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Forest City and take out at Kingston for the DNR-recommended 12-mile upper North Fork Crow section. Use the Highway 22 gauge as a conservative floor, then make local visual checks for wood, low bridges, and depth.

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Put-in

North Fork Crow River, Forest City Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Forest City resolves as WAS02367 at river mile 106.2 and Kingston resolves as WAS00687 at river mile 94.2 in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.

Finish

Take-out

North Fork Crow River, Kingston Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

The selected gauge is upstream of the route and has no separate DNR very-high cutoff, so avoid high or rising water even if the card can only model a low-water floor.

Road shuttle

Stage Kingston first, then drive back to Forest City. Confirm both accesses from land because the Highway 22 DNR gauge is upstream and cannot show local tree or low-bridge conditions.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Additional access notes
  • Use only named public accesses or confirmed public land for stops.
More route and safety guidance
  • Expect easy rapids, shallow gravel, underwater branches, overhanging trees, low bridges, possible fences, and fresh wood after wind or rain.
  • Use the named public accesses only. Do not assume private banks, farms, or low bridges provide legal routine exits.
Terms and safety
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Conditions

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Sources and methodology

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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.

  • Official recommended routeForest City to Kingston, 12.0 mi

    MN DNR recommended one-way sections list this North Fork Crow access pair and mileage.

    Source

  • Public access recordsForest City WAS02367 to Kingston WAS00687

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves both endpoints with official names, coordinates, and river-mile context.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands80.5 ft low floor; 80.5-82 ft medium

    MN DNR interprets the Highway 22 gauge as Low below 80.5 ft, Medium from 80.5 to 82 ft, and High above 82 ft. The current feed does not publish a separate very-high cutoff.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-2380.78 ft at 2026-07-23 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.

    Source

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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 7
Betty T. Mason River Access to Wildlife County ParkCentral MinnesotaModerate · 10.2 mi

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Sauk RiverHorseshoe Lake Access to Lions Park · about 16 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 7.6 mi

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