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See all 7 routes on North Fork Crow River

Minnesota | Central Minnesota

North Fork Crow River

Wildlife County Park to Bill Anderson Memorial County Park

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Today

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Today's conditions

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RainLoadingRecent rain: Checking

Gauge

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Quick facts

On-water distanceAbout 13.6 miWildlife County Park to Bill Anderson Memorial County Park
DifficultymoderateEasy rapids are mixed with overhanging trees, underwater branches, possible fences, low-water shallows, and post-storm wood. The full mileage requires active steering and conservative gauge judgment.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage Bill Anderson Park first, then return to Wildlife County Park. Inspect Albright's Mill if using it for a shorter trip, campsite, or bailout.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is known. DNR map context lists permit-required camping at Wildlife and Albright's Mill; follow Wright County reservation, fee, and parking rules if using either campsite.
CampingOptions nearbyAlbright's Mill and Bill Anderson have mapped county-park or watercraft-camping context. Confirm current park rules and availability before relying on either site.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through early fall is realistic when the Cokato gauge is at least above the scrapable floor. Low summer water slows the narrow channel, while storms can add wood and pushy bridge current.

Plan

Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.

Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.

Access plan

Access, shuttle, and map

Consolidated North Fork Crow route from Wildlife County Park to Bill Anderson Park, retaining Albright's Mill as an intermediate public access, campground, and shorter-trip option.

DirectionsApple MapsOpenStreetMap
Plan a shorter segmentOptional

Access planner

Pick a shorter segment

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distanceAbout 13.6 miLake to creek
On-water timeAbout 5 to 7 hrFull route option
ShuttleSelf-shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Peltier Lake to Long Lake is the full route. Shorter access pairs are useful when wind, time, or group energy changes the plan.

Start

Put-in

Wildlife County Park carry-in accessOpen map

Wildlife County Park resolves to the Minnesota public-water-access record at river mile 68.9; DNR Map 1 also labels it as a carry-in access and permit-required campsite.

Finish

Take-out

Bill Anderson Park carry-in accessOpen map

Albright's Mill resolves to the public-water-access record at river mile 62.7 and is mapped by DNR as a carry-in access with drinking water and permit-required camping.

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Wildlife County Park resolves to the Minnesota public-water-access record at river mile 68.9; DNR Map 1 also labels it as a carry-in access and permit-required campsite.
  • Albright's Mill resolves to the public-water-access record at river mile 62.7 and is mapped by DNR as a carry-in access with drinking water and permit-required camping.
  • The Cokato/CSAH 4 gauge sits between the endpoints, so it is a strong level signal, but it cannot show fresh strainers, fences, or landing mud.
  • Albright's Mill is mapped by DNR as a carry-in access at river mile 62.7 with drinking water and permit-required camping.
  • Bill Anderson Park resolves to the Minnesota public-water-access record at river mile 55.3 and DNR Map 1 identifies it as a carry-in access and watercraft campsite.
  • The Cokato gauge is upstream of the put-in, so treat it as a same-corridor proxy and verify enough local water over shallow riffles before committing.

Watch for

  • Low-water scraping or short carries when the Cokato gauge falls through the low band.
  • Underwater branches, overhanging trees, and new strainers on tight bends.
  • Possible low bridges or unlawful fences; avoid trespass and report blocked navigation through official channels.
  • Shallow riffles and exposed gravel if the Cokato gauge is below medium.
  • Fresh wood, overhanging branches, and fence-like obstructions in the narrow channel.
  • Private banks between bridge crossings; do not count on informal exits.

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Sources

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Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking

Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

Why
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OutlookTomorrow and weekend

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Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteNorth Fork Crow River nr Cokato, CSAH4
DischargeChecking
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24h trendChecking
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Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
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WindChecking
GustsChecking
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Target band300 cfs to 600 cfs
Low threshold241 cfs
High threshold800 cfs
Data confidence behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreMN DNR river-level interpretation bands for North Fork Crow River near Cokato
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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.

  • Route shapeWildlife RM 68.9 to Albright's Mill RM 62.7

    MN DNR Map 1 places Wildlife County Park, the Highway 4 / Cokato gauge, and Albright's Mill in downstream order, making this a 6.2-mile access-to-access connector.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS01954 to WAS01743

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Wildlife Park and Albright's Mill with official names, administrators, coordinates, and river-mile values.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands241 / 300-600 / 800 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the Cokato gauge 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.

    Source

  • Current gauge check261 cfs at 2026-07-24 05:45 CDT

    The current MN DNR feed placed Cokato in the official low band during this run, below the preferred medium range.

    Source

  • Camping and hazardsEndpoint campsites; obstruction-prone bends

    DNR Map 1 identifies permit campsites at Wildlife County Park and Albright's Mill and warns about underwater branches, overhanging trees, frequent obstacles, possible fences, and low-water issues on the upper North Fork Crow.

    Source

  • Route shapeAlbright's Mill RM 62.7 to Bill Anderson RM 55.3

    MN DNR Map 1 places Albright's Mill, County Road 6, and Bill Anderson Memorial County Park in downstream order, making this a 7.4-mile connector.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS01743 to WAS02856

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Albright's Mill and Bill Anderson Park with official names, administrators, coordinates, and river-mile values.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands241 / 300-600 / 800 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the Cokato gauge 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.

    Source

  • Current gauge check261 cfs at 2026-07-24 05:45 CDT

    The current MN DNR feed placed Cokato in the official low band during this run; this downstream split requires a visual depth check before launch.

    Source

  • Camping and safety contextCounty park campsites; bridge and wood caveats

    DNR Map 1 identifies Albright's Mill and Bill Anderson as campsite-capable county-park accesses and describes the North Fork's downed trees, underwater branches, overhanging trees, and possible fences.

    Source

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

More in Minnesota

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More on North Fork Crow River

All 7
Betty T. Mason River Access to Wildlife County ParkCentral MinnesotaModerate · 10.2 miBill Anderson Memorial County Park to Humphrey-Arends Memorial County ParkCentral MinnesotaModerate · 10.2 miForest City to KingstonCentral MinnesotaModerate · About 12.0 miHighway 4 to ManannahCentral MinnesotaModerate · About 5.7 mi

Nearby routes by distance

South Fork Crow RiverRick Johnson Park to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve · about 20 mi awayModerate · 14.3 miMississippi RiverClearwater to Snuffie's Landing · about 21 mi awayEasy · About 8.2 miMississippi RiverSnuffie's Landing to Montissippi County Park · about 21 mi awayEasy · About 6.7 miSouth Fork Crow RiverOtter Lake West to Western / Masonic City Park · about 21 mi awayEasy · 1.6 mi

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 Cokato, CSAH4 and treats 300 cfs to 600 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 Wildlife County Park carry-in access and ends at Bill Anderson Park carry-in access, about About 13.6 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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