Paddle the Mississippi’s only gorge and pass through Lock and Dam No. 1
3-4 Hours
Guide, Shuttle, Safety demo
Explore a 6.5-mile guided paddle through the Mississippi River Gorge, with shuttle transport and a safety and paddling demo before you launch. Finish by descending through Lock and Dam Number 1 and take out at Hidden Falls Regional Park.
Recommended age is 5+. For tandem kayaks, one paddler must be 18+ years of age. Except in rare circumstances with prior permitting, alcohol is not allowed on the water during public tours. Guides appreciate tips; guests typically give 15–20%.
Notify staff within 12 hours of trip for 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, and consider keeping a dry layer in your car to change into after. Bring a hat and sunglasses for glare, plus sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. You can also bring snacks for yourself.
No. Except in rare circumstances with prior permitting, alcohol is not allowed on the water during public tours.
Yes. Guides appreciate tips; guests typically give 15–20%. Cash is usually easiest, and many guides also accept Venmo.
Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA
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