See all 9 routes on Red Lake River
Minnesota | Northwest Minnesota
Red Lake RiverHuot Park to Central Park Crookston
Long lower Red Lake River day from Huot Park to Crookston Central Park, staying above Crookston constructed rapids while using the nearby official Crookston DNR gauge.
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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 Huot Park and take out at Crookston Central Park for a long lower Red Lake River connector. The Crookston DNR gauge is nearby and official but downstream of the take-out, and today it is only in the low band.
Access map
Put-in
Red Lake River, Huot Park Public Water Access SiteHuot Park resolves as WAS02137 at river mile 79.5 and Central Park resolves as WAS00549 at river mile 55.5 in Minnesota public-water-access GIS.
Take-out
Red Lake River, Central Park Public Water Access SiteThe Crookston DNR gauge is downstream of Central Park and below additional bridge/rapid context, so use it as a near-downstream proxy and make visual checks at both endpoints.
Road shuttle
Stage Central Park in Crookston first, then drive upstream to Huot Park. This is a long lower-river day; launch early and keep a hard daylight cutoff.
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Red Lake River, Huot Park Public Water Access Site to Red Lake River, Central Park Public Water Access Site is about 24.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.
Additional access notes
- Take out at Central Park for this card. DNR Map 2 maps constructed rock rapids downstream in Crookston; do not continue without a separate scouted plan.
More route and safety guidance
- Take out at Central Park. DNR Map 2 shows constructed rock rapids downstream in Crookston; do not continue below the planned finish unless your group intentionally planned and scouted that separate urban section.
- Expect low-water scraping, boulder fields, wood, private banks, farm runoff after storms, cold water, and faster current on rising water.
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Conditions
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Photos and recent reports
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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.
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 route shapeHuot Park RM 79.5 to Central Park RM 55.5
MN DNR Red Lake River Map 2 places Huot Park and Crookston Central Park in sequence, with Crookston access and constructed-rapid cautions downstream.
- Public access recordsWAS02137 to WAS00549
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Huot Park and Central Park as Red Lake River public access sites with coordinates and river-mile records.
- Official DNR bands3 / 5-8 / 12 ft
MN DNR interprets Crookston as Scrapable below 3 ft, Low from 3 to 5, Medium from 5 to 8, High from 8 to 12, and Very High above 12.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-223.67 ft at 2026-07-22 15:00 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.
- Camping and take-out contextCentral Park campground; downstream rapids
DNR Map 2 identifies Central Park with trailer access, rest area, and campsites, and maps constructed rock rapids downstream in Crookston.
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 Red Lake River
All 9Nearby routes within 75 miles
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