Paddle downriver to the "City of Birds" heron rookery and skyline views
2.5 - 3.5 hours
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.
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%.
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.
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.
Anoka to Boom Island, downriver w/ shuttle
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.
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!!
Catherine Goodhew
September 30, 2025
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!!
Catherine Goodhew
September 30, 2025