Explore unique areas of your national park with Paddle with a Ranger, a signature program in partnership with National Park Service, Mississippi Park Connection, The City of St Paul, Three Rivers Park District, and Paddle Share. Led by National Park Service rangers, these guided kayak trips take you through scenic stretches of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area—right in the heart of the Twin Cities.
Paddle with a Ranger - Paddle 101
(Adaptive Equipment Available)
@ Pickerel Lake (Lilydale Regional Park)
Pickerel Lake is a calm, scenic spot ideal for beginners and those brushing up on paddling skills, with National Park Service rangers guiding the way. Surrounded by floodplain forest and wildlife like bald eagles and river otters.
Adaptive paddling equipment are available at this station. Contact miss_info@nps.gov when you register. We request at least a two-week notice for requests.
Paddle with a Ranger: Mississippi Gateway with Three Rivers District (Free Shuttle)
@ BEGINS at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and ENDS at North Mississippi Regional Park
Paddle a peaceful 7.5-mile stretch of the Mississippi River with a National Park Service ranger and Three Rivers Park District staff. Beginning just below the Coon Rapids Dam, this guided tour winds through scenic backwaters and forests teeming with wildlife like bald eagles, turtles, and river otters. Ideal for experienced or intermediate paddlers, this program offers a longer adventure with a social, ranger-led experience on the water.
Paddle with a Ranger: City Route (Heron Rookery)
@ BEGINS at North Mississippi Regional Park and ENDS at Graco Park
Kayak a four-mile stretch of the Mississippi River with a National Park Service ranger and experience your urban national park from a new perspective. Starting at North Mississippi Regional Park and ending at Graco Park, this intermediate-level paddle offers views of the heron rookery and the future Upper Harbor Terminal Redevelopment site. Participants must arrange their own transportation—carpooling or rideshare is recommended.
Paddle with a Ranger: Vermillion River Bottoms
@ Vermillion River North Public Water Access
Explore the back channels of a dynamic floodplain forest with a National Park Service ranger, starting at North Mississippi Regional Park and ending at Graco Park. This intermediate-to-advanced paddle offers chances to see wildlife like bald eagles, herons, and even muskrats, with routes varying based on water levels.
