Paddle With A Ranger: Vermillion River Bottoms Dates 2024:
10 Start time: Arrival time: 9:40-9:45 AM | Program Time: 10 - 12 AM
June 22, June 23, June 29, July 6, July 7, July 20, July 21, July 28, August 3, August 11, August 25, August 31, September 1, September 15
4 p.m. Start time: Arrival time: 3:40-3:45 PM | Program Time: 4- 6 PM
June 16, June 30, July 14, July 27, August 4, August 18, August 24, September 8
*Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to your program time to ensure parking and a safety talk. We will leave promptly at 10 AM.
Explore a unique portion of this national park with a National Park Service ranger who will guide you through the back channels of a floodplain forest!
This area of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is great for observing wildlife. Participants may see bald eagles, great blue herons, or prothonotary warblers--we might even sneak up on a muskrat! Routes vary as the summer progresses due to changing water-level conditions.
Attendees must be 18+ and must be able to maneuver a kayak on the Mississippi River. A person under 18 years old may attend if they are in a tandem kayak with an adult from the same household. We recommend that you have at least some paddling experience. The Pickerel Lake Paddle Share station is a great alternative for beginners!
Please note when ordering tickets: double (tandem) kayaks are for 2 people from the same household.
More Details
Registration includes a kayak or canoe, paddle, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) provided by the National Park Service.
The program is appropriate for newer paddlers ready to try the river or the intermediate/advanced kayaker interested in the social atmosphere of paddling with a park ranger. Events happen rain or shine.
Program cancellations due to heavy rain or lightning will be made at least two hours before the scheduled program time. Be prepared for the weather and bring sunscreen, hat, bug spray, rain jacket, snacks, and water. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars. Do not leave valuables in your car.
Due to staffing limitations, we unfortunately cannot accommodate people bringing their own personal boats. Attendees must be able to maneuver a kayak or canoe on moving water. The program is not recommended for beginners, and we recommend participants have some paddling experience.