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.
Product ID: WS7VJ9
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.
It’s rare that through a little community activity, one is able to see our Mississippi from a new perspective. What a wonderful journey across our great river along side animals, great guides and neighbors. Expect the tour to run 2-2.5 hours, depending on the energy of the group! You’ll get to see many bridges, the lock, and the waterfalls along the way. The guides do a fantastic job of capturing photos of each kayak, so you’ll have a memory to take home with you. The best part, was the contagious love for the river that is at the heart of the company’s ethos. As we move away from Minneapolis, this was a highlight activity ahead of our departure! Thank you!
padil152 University of Minnesota
July 19, 2026
It’s rare that through a little community activity, one is able to see our Mississippi from a new perspective. What a wonderful journey across our great river along side animals, great guides and neighbors. Expect the tour to run 2-2.5 hours, depending on the energy of the group! You’ll get to see many bridges, the lock, and the waterfalls along the way. The guides do a fantastic job of capturing photos of each kayak, so you’ll have a memory to take home with you. The best part, was the contagious love for the river that is at the heart of the company’s ethos. As we move away from Minneapolis, this was a highlight activity ahead of our departure! Thank you!
padil152 University of Minnesota
July 19, 2026
Savor a brunch buffet while taking in views of the St. Croix River
Walk an alpaca with a farm guide at Eagle Eye Farm
See changing fall colors on a scenic St. Croix River cruise
Practice low-impact yoga with goats or alpacas at Eagle Eye Farm
Create neon splatter art, slime, and birthday memories together
Discover five Minneapolis districts with narrated trolley sightseeing