Red Lake River - Terrain

Terrain

The Red Lake River covers a wide variety of terrain. After leaving the Red Lake, the river flows through a marsh in the Red Lake Indian Reservation. The river then flows through a prairie, then through farmland. After St. Hilaire the sides of the river grow steeper, becoming large eroding cliffs. Parts of the riverbanks are thickly forested.

The river is relatively smooth for most of the trip. There is a stretch between St. Hilaire and Crookston where there is a chain of rapids, which are easily navigated.

The Red Lake River is one of the few Minnesota state canoe routes in the area. There are a number of rest areas and camping facilities along the route.