See all 5 routes on Red River of the North
Minnesota | Northwest Minnesota
Red River of the NorthGolden Grain to Hilltop
Official MN DNR Map 6 border-river day from Golden Grain to Hilltop, using public trailer accesses, slow meanders, snag and flood caveats, and the same-map Drayton interpreted 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 Golden Grain and take out at Hilltop for the official DNR 9-mile Map 6 day trip.
Access map
Put-in
Red River, Golden Grain Public Water Access SiteGolden Grain resolves in Minnesota public-water-access GIS as WAS00531 at DNR river mile 180.2.
Take-out
Red River, Hilltop Public Water Access SiteHilltop resolves as WAS03009 near DNR river mile 171.2; DNR web guidance lists Hilltop as the take-out for the 9-mile trip.
Road shuttle
Stage Hilltop first, then drive south to Golden Grain. Confirm both trailer accesses and the Drayton DNR gauge before unloading, because low water can make the Red too shallow and high water can make banks difficult.
Additional access notes
- The Drayton gauge is upstream of the route. Treat it as same-map official guidance, then verify muddy bank slope, wind, and landing depth at both endpoints.
More route and safety guidance
- Avoid flood or rapidly rising stages. This border-river reach has steep muddy landings, few simple mid-route exits, and rural response exposure.
- The Red River is an interstate and international-border corridor upstream of Canada. Follow posted access rules and confirm current boating and border guidance before extending past the mapped day trip.
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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 recommended tripGolden Grain RM 180.2 to Hilltop RM 171.2, 9 miles
MN DNR lists Golden Grain to Hilltop as the recommended Map 6 day trip through slow-moving bends, farmland, and wildlife habitat.
- Public access recordsWAS00531 to WAS03009
Minnesota public-water-access GIS resolves Golden Grain and Hilltop trailer accesses with coordinates, river-mile context, and directions.
- Official DNR bands6 / 10-14 / 18 ft
MN DNR interprets the Drayton gauge as Scrapable below 6 ft, Low from 6 to 10, Medium from 10 to 14, High from 14 to 18, and Very High above 18.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-2212.21 ft at 2026-07-22 23:45 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.
- Safety postureSnags, mud, flood swings, and border-river exposure
DNR Map 6 warns that low water may not be suitable, snags are common, banks are mostly privately owned, and flooding or high water can change the route quickly.
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
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