Red River "At a Glance" |
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| Scenery | Prairies and woods of the North Dakota/Minnesota borderlands |
| Best time | May-September |
| Wilderness | Sparsely populated agricultural area |
| Water Flow | Dependable in spring and early summer; can get low later |
| Water Quality | Good |
| Campsites | Primitive; see details below |
| Hazards | No rapids; minimal gradient |
| Logistics | Access at most roads; DIY shuttle |
| Trip Length | Up to 150 miles |
| Recommendation | Seldom floated but worth a look! |
Red River in Grand Forks, ND (photo courtesy Alan Draves http://www.draves.com)
General Description & Characteristics -- This river is commonly known as the Red River of the North, to differentiate it from the Red River that flows through Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana (see the "Red River of the South" description).
The Red River assumes its name at Wahpeton, ND, where the Bois de Sioux and Ottertail Rivers join. Along with its tributary the Bois de Sioux, the Red River forms the border between Minnesota and North Dakota. This river system drains to the north through an area that was once covered by an enormous inland sea (Lake Agassiz). It flows into Canada and empties into Lake Winnipeg, which in turn drains into Hudson Bay via the Nelson River. See also the Minnesota River, which drains this region to the southeast into the Mississippi River.
Today the Red River meanders through rich agricultural land where many types of grain and root crops are grown. It has been plagued in recent years by flooding, particularly in the spring of 1997 -- the people along the Red River are still recovering from that devastation (pictures).
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- The Red River has eight low head dams along the Minnesota-North Dakota border, but there is a long undammed section of about 150 miles from Fargo-Moorhead to Grand Forks-East Grand Forks. Put in at M. B. Johnson Park in Moorhead, Minnesota. This is about three miles downstream from the North Dam. The take out for the trip would be at a riverside park in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, just below the confluence of the Red River and its major tributary, the Red Lake River.
Warm days and cool nights of June and July are coincidental with good flow on the Red River. This is also the season of very long days, so this section should take about seven days. There are several bridges across the Red River in this section, and these generally offer some degree of access to alter the length of the trip, if desired.
Camping -- Except for the city parks on either end of the trip, all the land along the river is privately owned. The North Dakota DNR published this advice about using private land along the river:
Minnesota [right bank] trespass law: Ask first. Always ask for permission before entering private land. Unless the DNR has purchased an access easement from the landowner, you may not trespass on privately owned lake or stream shorelines without permission.
North Dakota [left bank] trespass law: Ask first. Always required to enter private land that is posted. It is recommended that you always get permission to enter private land that is not posted.
According to the Minnesota DNR, one can avoid trespassing by using sites such as sandy beaches along the river. On the North Dakota side, the river bed, islands, and land up to the normal high water mark are considered to be public lands.
Interesting Features -- The Red River meanders in seemingly aimless bends, especially in the first sections of this run. The minimal gradient, less than 1 ft. per mile, make for easy going with no rapids. In addition to the agricultural pursuits, you will see bottomland forests, and some tall grass prairie lands.
Only a few miles downstream from Fargo-Moorhead, the Red River is joined by the Sheyenne River from the west, which is a good float stream in its own right. Further down, the Buffalo, Elm, Goose, and Marsh Rivers add to its flow. Except at the beginning and end of this run, the Red River does not flow through any towns. A few small villages are near the river, generally associated with road crossings.
Additional Information:
| Canoeing Information | Canoe streams of the Red River Valley, courtesy ND Tourism |
| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service | |
| River Flow Data | USGS gauges:
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| Parks on/near the River | |
| Towns/Other Locales on/near the River | |
| Books | |
| More Pictures | |
| Environmental Issues/Organizations | River Keepers |
| Acknowledgments/Contributors |
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| Miscellaneous |
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