I think the Red River is vastly underrated for paddling. Up here in Grand Forks it's not as intimate as in Fargo, and I think the mud is a bit more.....robust, but the paddling is just as good.

The best thing about the RR is that it's used very little by fisherman in boats (very few access points) and the majority of those don't travel far from their ramp.

In 2005 River Keepers may be repeating a river tour that goes from Wahpeton to Selkirk, Manitoba first paddled in 2000. If it goes, I hope to paddle the distance.

Chuck

We only have one dam in Grand Forks, and it has been retrofitted with boulders to be more of a cascading falls than a low-head dam spill. There are no official entry/exit points, but you can find good access both above and below the dam. There are also two boat ramps in the area. The MN side has one in downtown EGF above the dam, and ND has one downstream from the dam about a mile north of town.

FYI, there is now an offical Red River of the North river map created by River Keepers in Fargo. It's the first of three parts and covers Wahpeton/Breckinridge to Fargo/Moorhead. Part two will cover Fargo to Grand Forks, and part three from GF to Selkirk, I believe.

Their website is (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) but it seems to be down.

A few other nice area rivers to paddle are:

Sheyenne River near Ft. Ransom State Park. For $12 the park staff will shuttle you up to Yellowstone Park for a leisurely 4-5 hour paddle back to the park.

Red Lake River between Red Lake Falls and Huot. 4-5 hours of numerous easy class 1 rapids, high bluffs, and clean water. Easy enough for any level paddler. Also good fishing.

I just paddled the Pembina River west of Walhalla on Saturday. What a great place. Not yet very green, but the gorge really lives up to it's reputation for beauty. And, there are a number of easy Class 1 rapids to make it fun. It's the only whitewater in North Dakota! Plus it has small populations of both elk and moose. Neither of which we saw Saturday. Three hour trip.

I hope to hit them all many times this year, but I say that every year.

Chuck