See all 7 routes on North Fork Crow River
Minnesota | Twin Cities Northwest Metro
North Fork Crow River
Riverside County Park to Dayton
Check current paddling conditions for this North Fork Crow River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Launch at Riverside County Park near Hanover and take out at the Dayton-area Crow/Mississippi access. This is a long lower-river shuttle day where level still matters because low water drags the pace down quickly.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Riverside County Park carry-in accessThis route is long enough that shuttle timing, parking rules, and daylight matter more than on a quick half-day paddle.
Take-out
Mississippi/Crow rivers trailer accessUse posted rules at both landings rather than assuming old forum or trip-report parking details are still current.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- This route is long enough that shuttle timing, parking rules, and daylight matter more than on a quick half-day paddle.
- Use posted rules at both landings rather than assuming old forum or trip-report parking details are still current.
- Much of the shoreland is private. Stop only at designated public sites, and do not camp on riverbed next to private property.
Watch for
- Low-water dragging and a slower-than-expected pace when the river falls toward 345 cfs.
- Fresh wood, strainers, and debris after storms or rising water.
- Fatigue, cold-water exposure, and wind on a 15-mile day even if the gauge looks okay.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | North Fork Crow River nr Rockford, Farmington Ave |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 500 cfs to 1,500 cfs |
| Low threshold | 345 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,750 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for North Fork Crow River near Rockford |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- DNR bands345 / 500–1,500 / 1,750 cfs
MN DNR interprets the lower North Fork Crow gauge as Scrapable below 345 cfs, Low from 345 to 500, Medium from 500 to 1,500, High from 1,500 to 1,750, and Very High above 1,750.
- Trip length15.3 miles
This is a long lower-river day. Low water and fatigue matter more here than on a short metro paddle.
- Access confidenceVerified
Both Riverside County Park and the Dayton/Crow-Mississippi access are backed by DNR access-guide material and local manager pages.
- Primary cautionWood after rain
Treat storms and recent high water as a stronger caution signal than the gauge alone, especially on a long route with fewer quick exit options.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
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Quick answers
North Fork Crow River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling North Fork Crow River?
Paddle Today watches North Fork Crow River nr Rockford, Farmington Ave and treats 500 cfs to 1,500 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this North Fork Crow River route start and end?
This route starts at Riverside County Park carry-in access and ends at Mississippi/Crow rivers trailer access, about 15.3 mi on the water.
Is this North Fork Crow River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.