Canoeing Rivers
Sheyenne River
During its lengthy course through the south central corner of the state, the Sheyenne River transects a variety of North Dakota terrains. Rolling hills, wide bottomland forests, open prairies and rich agricultural land, each with its own unique characteristics and beauty, blend along the river’s banks to create a continuous mosaic of scenery.
Many recreational opportunities are offered along this lengthy, peaceful river system. The diversity of natural features along its meandering path is an attraction to many, as visitors can see terrain seldom associated with North Dakota. Sandhills, abrupt river banks and noble stands of forest invite photographers, hikers and sightseers to spend a day marveling at the innate beauty of the river valley.
Two large tracts of public lands (Lonetree Wildlife Managment Area and Sheyenne National Grassland) and numerous small parks and public land areas are located on the Sheyenne River in several counties. Several recommended contacts are provided below, which provide numerous recreational opportunities, from hiking, biking, camping, sightseeing, and bird watching, to hunting and fishing.
Although the river extends through North Dakota for 280 miles, only a few segments are recommended for canoeing. The entire stretch has many hazards and lowhead dams. Canoeists, however, can enjoy the many wonders of the river and river valley along a few selected stretches.
Where to go for day trips
Three stretches are recommended: a 22 mile stretch southeast of Cooperstown, a 14 mile stretch from the Baldhill Dam to Chautauqua Park in Valley City, and the river through Fort Ransom State Park. These stretches provide easy canoeing on fairly slow waters in a tranquil setting. The scenic value and wildlife viewing are very good. Most access points are also good.
COOPERSTOWN BIBLE CAMP TO THOMPSON BRIDGE— 6 to 9 hours to canoe entire stretch
Access—
- Bridge 2 miles N. of Bible Camp (good)
- Bridge 1 mile N. of Bible Camp (fair)
- Bridge near Bible Camp (poor)
- Cooperstown Bible Camp (excellent) Note: This bible camp is a private establishment and contact should be made ahead of time to request permission to access the river (701-797-2174).
- Bridge east of Bible Camp (poor).
- Thompson Bridge (good).
Hazards —Extensive snags from fallen trees require a few portages in the stretch north of the Bible Camp. Low flows.
Flow Information —Canoeing is usually best in spring or after heavy rains. Up-to-date flows are available on the U.S.G.S. North Dakota home page: http://nd.water.usgs.gov. The gaging station is Sheyenne River near Cooperstown (05057000). A minimum flow of 400 cubic feet per second will provide fair to good canoeing.
County Maps—Griggs & Steele counties
BALDHILL DAM TO VALLEY CITY NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY OR CHAUTAUQUA PARK— 5 to 8 hours
Access—
- Bridge downstream of Baldhill Dam (good).
- Valley City National Fish Hatchery (good).
- Chautauqua Park in Valley City (good)
Hazards—Two rock dams must be portaged between Baldhill Dam and the Fish Hatchery. They are both treacherous. We recommend that canoeists do not canoe through Valley City; there are several dams that would make the trip very hazardous.
Flow Information—Water levels are dependent on runoff and releases from Baldhill Dam. Check with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Baldhill Dam for flow rates and general river condition. The USGS. gaging station is Sheyenne River below Baldhill Dam (05058000). A flow of at least 80 cfs is recommended
County Maps —Barnes 2
Contacts—
- Valley City National Fish Hatchery, 11515 River Road, Valley City, ND 58072-9619; 701-845-3464.
- Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, 205 NE 2nd St., Box 724, Valley City, ND 58072; 701-845-1891
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ashtabula (Baldhill Dam), RFD. #1, Valley City, ND 58072; 701-845-2970
- Valley City Park District, P.O. Box 422, Valley City, ND 58072; 701-845-3294.
Other attractions in the area—Lake Ashtabula has other water-based recreation, including boating, swimming, fishing and camping. The National Fish Hatchery has tours during business hours, provides good wildlife viewing, fishing at its designated site and self-guided interpretation. A scenic highway tour runs south of Valley City along the Sheyenne River.
FORT RANSOM STATE PARK CANOE TRAIL—1.5 to 7 hours, depending on put-in point.
Fort Ransom State Park provides canoe access. Many day-trippers will put in at the State Park, canoe upstream and float back down. For a fee, park personnel will transport you to one of six drop-off points and canoeists can float back to the park. Two of these access points are publicly accessable, so an independent canoeist can provide their own drop off and pick up. The trip from Little Yellowstone to Fort Ransom will take approximately 6 to 7 hours. The park also rents canoes for a fee. Canoeing is usually best in the spring and early summer.
Access—
- Little Yellowstone County Park by Highway 46 (good)
- Fort Ransom State Park (good)
Hazards—Occasional snags and deadfalls
County Maps—Ransom
Contact—Fort Ransom State Park, 5981 Walt Hjelle Parkway, Fort Ransom, ND 58033; 701-973-4331. They can provide canoe rentals, access, river condition and flow information.
General contact—
N.D. Tourism - 1-800-HELLO-ND
