Non-motorized boating

Souris River Canoe Trail

Designated as a National Recreation Trail, the Souris River Canoe Trail offers outstanding wildlife‑viewing opportunities as it winds through bottomland hardwood forests, oxbows, and rich riparian habitat.

Route Options

Paddlers can choose between two trip lengths, both beginning at the Johnson Bridge launch site:

5.5‑mile route (2–3 hours)
Johnson Bridge → Thompson Well

13‑mile route (5–7 hours)
Johnson Bridge → Dam 1

Numbered mile markers along the river help track your progress.

What to Expect

The trail starts at Johnson Bridge, where a historic Native American travel route once crossed the river. The Souris River flows northwest toward Canada, winding in broad bends across its floodplain and creating numerous oxbows—cut‑off river channels that now hold standing water. These oxbows provide excellent opportunities to observe waterfowl and other wildlife.

Along the river corridor, expect to see willow, elm, ash, box elder, and cattails. Wildlife sightings may include waterfowl, shorebirds, beaver, muskrat, mink, river otters, deer, moose, and more.

Points of Interest Along the Trail

Sandhills Slough (Mile 3–4)

A prominent river oxbow and a favorite location for tree‑nesting ducks such as wood ducks and hooded mergansers. This is an excellent spot to explore.

Thompson Well (Mile 5.5)

A former homestead site featuring:
• boat ramp
• restroom
• hand pump for potable water
• picnic tables
• parking area
A perfect stop to rest, enjoy the scenery, and refill water bottles.

Willow Creek (Near Mile 6)

A tree‑lined tributary that enters the Souris River. This corridor often provides views of porcupine, deer, and moose.

Additional Oxbows (Miles 12–13)

Two unnamed oxbows near the end of the route offer more opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly waterfowl.

Trail End

The canoe trail concludes at Dam 1, where a boat ramp and parking area are available for takeout.