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    1. Local experiences/
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    5. Guided 3-Hour Mississippi River Paddle in Minneapolis
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    Guided 3-Hour Mississippi River Paddle in Minneapolis

    Paddle downriver to the "City of Birds" heron rookery and skyline views

    4.9 stars• 61 reviews
    From$103/ kayakincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    2.5 - 3.5 hours

    Highlights

    Launch from Boom Island, shuttle upriver, then paddle down the Mississippi past bridges, river history, and a great blue heron rookery. Your guide shares local stories as you take in changing scenery and a distinctive skyline view.

    • Meet at Boom Island and ride a shuttle to the launch site
    • Learn basic paddle skills on land before you start
    • Paddle downriver under old and new bridges
    • Watch the great blue heron rookery and other birds on two islands
    • Stop for a skyline photo-op as conditions allow
    • Finish at Boom Island marina, with the route adjusted for conditions

    What's Included

    • Shuttle transportation
    • On-land paddle skill introduction
    • Dry bag for small items
    • Waterproof camera photos

    Things to know

    Recommended age is 5+ for tandem kayaks, and one person must be 18+ years old. Alcohol is not allowed on the water during public tours except in rare circumstances with prior permitting. Guides appreciate tips; guests typically tip 15–20%.

    Cancellation Policy

    Notify staff within 12 hours of trip to be offered a full refund. If cancellation is due to weather concerns, they will offer to either refund or rebook.

    FAQs

    Dress for water in lightweight clothing and footwear you don’t mind getting wet. Bring a hat and sunglasses for glare, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and any snacks you want. Pack a dry layer in your car to change into afterward just in case.

    A dry bag is available for small items you don’t want to get wet, and guides take photos with a waterproof camera so you don’t have to risk yours.

    Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your tour start time.

    Meeting details

    Anoka to Boom Island, downriver w/ shuttle

    Experience provided by Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours
    Experience provided by Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Reference #M9SHDQ

    Single Kayak

    $103.53

    1 Person •

    0

    Tandem Kayak

    $195.55

    2 People • Recommeded age 5 and up • One person must be 18+ years of age

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

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      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.9
    Excellent
    61 reviews•Google Maps
    59
    1
    0
    1
    0

    Sparky, Beaver, Andie, and Maggie seem to be the kind of guides who make people want to come back, and the repeat visitors here say consistency is a real strength. The Mississippi River Gorge tour stands out, especially going through Lock No. 1 with the Corps of Engineers, which reviewers describe as genuinely unforgettable. Guides share rich historical context throughout, take photos of guests, and provide water, snacks, and free dry bags on the water. First-timers show up frequently in these reviews, and the guides clearly know how to make nervous paddlers feel at ease without dumbing things down for more experienced kayakers. Communication around weather is a notable strength too, with the team proactively reaching out with updates and offering flexible options when conditions get dicey. The one area worth knowing going in is that the full moon tours have drawn slightly mixed feedback, with one reviewer feeling the experience lacked depth and that pre-trip logistics could be smoother. That said, others found the nighttime paddle genuinely unique and well-supported. Overall the sentiment here is overwhelmingly warm, and the pattern across many reviews is that people leave feeling like they got more than they expected.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 3
    5/5

    Sparky was the best. This was such an amazing trip with beautiful scenery and Sparky had lots of history to share. Going through the lock was something to remember. 10/10 thank you for a great time!!

    Photo of Catherine Goodhew

    Catherine Goodhew

    September 30, 2025

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Sparky was the best. This was such an amazing trip with beautiful scenery and Sparky had lots of history to share. Going through the lock was something to remember. 10/10 thank you for a great time!!

    Photo of Catherine Goodhew

    Catherine Goodhew

    September 30, 2025

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