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Minnesota | Central Minnesota

North Fork Crow River

Betty T. Mason River Access to Wildlife County Park

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Today

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Today's conditions

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Quick facts

On-water distance 10.2 mi Betty T. Mason River Access to Wildlife County Park

Difficulty moderate The rapids are not the issue; the commitment comes from tight bends, strainers, steep access, occasional fences, and the need to steer well through a narrow channel.

Shuttle Car shuttle Plan a simple two-car shuttle between the Wright County parks. Wildlife County Park also has a reservable canoe campsite if you are turning this into a longer North Fork plan.

Permits None noted No route-specific paddling permit is known. Wildlife County Park backcountry canoe camping requires a reservation and fee if used.

Camping Day trip Wildlife County Park offers a backcountry canoe campsite by reservation. Treat this route as a day trip unless that campsite is booked separately.

Season Apr-Oct Late spring through early fall is the realistic window. Summer can work when rain keeps the Cokato gauge up, but low water and wood make this upper reach work harder than the lower river.

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

Launch at Betty T. Mason County Park and take out at Wildlife County Park. This is a narrow upper North Fork Crow day where the gauge matters, but wood and tight bends still drive the practical decision.

Directions Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

Start

Put-in

Betty T. Mason County Park carry-in access Open map

Betty T. Mason is an improved but steep carry-in access, so scout the carry before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

Wildlife County Park carry-in access Open map

Both endpoints are Wright County public river accesses, but park hours and camping rules still apply.

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Access caveats

Betty T. Mason is an improved but steep carry-in access, so scout the carry before unloading.
Both endpoints are Wright County public river accesses, but park hours and camping rules still apply.
This upper reach is more obstruction-prone than the lower North Fork Crow route already in the app.

Watch for

Underwater snags, overhanging trees, and strainers on sharp bends.
Possible unlawful fences across the river; DNR asks paddlers to report them.
Low-water scraping below the Cokato medium band and faster current above it.

Route gallery

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Sources

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Why this score Today'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.

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Outlook Tomorrow and weekend

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Data behind the score Gauge, thresholds, and timing

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

Gauge site	North Fork Crow River nr Cokato, CSAH4
Discharge	Checking
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Target band	300 cfs to 600 cfs
Low threshold	241 cfs
High threshold	800 cfs
Data confidence behind the range	Official data source
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Main source behind this score	MN DNR river-level interpretation bands for North Fork Crow River near Cokato
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Notes What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

DNR bands 241 / 300-600 / 800 cfs

MN DNR interprets the Cokato reading 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
Recommended trip 10.2 river miles

MN DNR recommends Betty T. Mason carry-in access to Wildlife County Park carry-in access as the Map 1 day trip on the North Fork Crow.

Source
Access confidence Wright County river accesses

Wright County identifies Betty T. Mason County Park and Wildlife County Park as public river-access sites on the North Fork Crow River.

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Route character Narrow bends and wood

DNR describes this upper segment as shallow and obstruction-prone, with underwater branches, overhanging trees, and possible unlawful fences across the river.

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Supplemental flow context 500 cfs makes canoeing fairly easy

DNR fisheries access guidance for Betty Mason says 500 cfs makes for fairly easy canoeing on this access-to-Wildlife County Park corridor.

Source

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Reports

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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 Betty T. Mason County Park carry-in access and ends at Wildlife County Park carry-in access, about 10.2 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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North Fork Crow River

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