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Minnesota | Southeast Minnesota

North Fork Zumbro RiverCovered Bridge Park to Walking Bridge Park

Official Zumbro Map 1 North Fork day from Zumbrota's Covered Bridge Park to Mazeppa's Walking Bridge Park, with public-access GIS endpoints and the downstream Mazeppa DNR gauge.

Route location

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Open access map
DistanceAbout 9.5 mi
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 3 hr to 5 hr
ShuttleCar shuttle
The North Fork of the Zumbro River flows through Zumbrota, Minnesota.
River contextNorth Fork Zumbro River at Zumbrota river-level photo — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Tim Kiser
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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. Follow city park, DNR water-trail, Minnesota boating/PFD, and invasive-species rules at both public accesses.
CampingOptions nearbyCovered Bridge Park is mapped by DNR as having camping, toilets, drinking water, and rest area facilities. Treat overnight use as endpoint-campground staging only, subject to city rules and availability; do not camp on private banks.
SeasonApr-OctSpring through fall can work when the Mazeppa gauge is stable. Thunderstorms can make the North Fork rise fast, move wood, and turn riffles or the Mazeppa rapid into a pushier finish.

Access and shuttle

Launch at Covered Bridge Park and finish at Walking Bridge Park for a North Fork Zumbro day through Zumbrota-to-Mazeppa water. The Mazeppa gauge is downstream of the take-out, so pair its live reading with local visual checks.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Zumbro River, Covered Bridge Park Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Covered Bridge Park resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS02181 at river mile 69.6.

Finish

Take-out

Zumbro River, Walking Bridge Park Public Water Access Site
DirectionsOpen map

Walking Bridge Park resolves as WAS02184 at river mile 60.1 in Mazeppa and is the intended finish just below the mapped Mazeppa Rapids area.

Road shuttle

Stage Walking Bridge Park in Mazeppa first, then drive back to Covered Bridge Park in Zumbrota. Confirm the Mazeppa Rapids landing and any park closures before launching.

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Additional access notes
  • The selected DNR gauge is downstream near County Road 7. Local rain, wood, or shallow riffles may differ from the gauge reading.
More route and safety guidance
  • Scout or portage Mazeppa Rapids from river right if the level, wood, or group skill makes the final approach questionable.
  • Use the named public accesses and parks. Do not assume road bridges, farm banks, or private shorelines are legal 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 map routeCovered Bridge Park RM 69.6 to Walking Bridge Park RM 60.1, about 9.5 miles

    MN DNR Zumbro Map 1 places Covered Bridge Park, old bridge supports, County Road 10, Mazeppa Rapids, and Walking Bridge Park in downstream order on the North Fork Zumbro.

    Source

  • Public access recordsWAS02181 to WAS02184

    Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Covered Bridge Park and Walking Bridge Park as public Zumbro River access sites with coordinates, administrators, directions, and river miles.

    Source

  • Official DNR bands50 / 63-724.7 / 1,435.7 cfs

    MN DNR interprets the North Fork Zumbro near Mazeppa gauge as Scrapable below 50 cfs, Low from 50 to 63, Medium from 63 to 724.7, High from 724.7 to 1,435.7, and Very High above 1,435.7.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-24101 cfs at 2026-07-24 02:30 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

  • Route hazardsOld bridge supports and Mazeppa Rapids

    DNR Map 1 flags old bridge supports upstream of County Road 48 and marks Mazeppa Rapids as Class I with a 90-yard right-bank portage.

    Source

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Other routes nearby

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Zumbro RiverZumbro Falls to Hammond Village Park · about 12 straight-line mi awayModerate · 7.0 mi

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