Paddle the oldest highway in Minnesota and get to know the Twin Cities in a whole new way. Learn about historic Fort Snelling while you camp in its shadow on Picnic Island. Paddle past Harriet Island and view the St. Paul cityscape from a new vantage point. Transition from metal, glass, noise and industry into the calm, green wilderness that surrounds St. Paul. The stark and sudden contract between city and wilderness helps to highlight the unique and important nature of each place. Listen to bird calls, water and the crackling of your campfire as you camp. Join us for a historic homecoming to the river the built Minneapolis and St. Paul. Explore the wilderness right outside your own back door.
Sample Itinerary
Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.
DAY 1: Your trip starts in the morning at East River Flats on the U of M campus. Load the canoes with your equipment and participate in a canoe safety orientation. Push off the shore and begin practicing your synchronized paddling as a group. After a couple hours, paddle into the Ford Lock, the largest single drop in elevation along the whole Mississippi River. Let the water elevator lower you and watch the heavy metal doors swing open, a sight likened to the Gates of Mordor. Prepare lunch along the river and finish the day at Picnic Island. Set up camp, cook dinner and learn about the rich cultural history of neighboring Pike Island and Fort Snelling.
DAY 2: Get up early to make breakfast, review canoeing skills and other details necessary for a safe and fun trip. Break camp after breakfast and get underway. Paddle a short distance on the Minnesota river before returning to the Mississippi. Continue your journey through Downtown St. Paul. Paddle under the High Bridge and past Harriet Island. Wave at the barge men, and be careful to turn the nose of your boat into the wake of each massive barge you pass. Upon passing under the 494 bridge you will begin to realize how quickly you've paddled into wilderness. Explore beautiful beaches and cliff rock, looking for a good place for lunch. Set up camp on Grey Cloud Island. Listen to the waves as you relax and eat dinner after a long day's paddle.
DAY 3: After breakfast, head back onto the main channel of the Mississippi for one final morning paddle. You will quickly cross into one of the Mississippi's many backwaters. Paddle along the densely forested shoreline to Spring Lake Park Reserve where you will end your trip. Eat one final lunch as a group and depart...back to the city.
Travel, Terrain, Etc...
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: The Mississippi River is a great river for both experienced and first time paddlers. You will be paddling downstream, following the river’s 3-4 mph current as it winds along the shoreline.
TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will travel in 24-foot cedar strip voyageur canoes. The voyageur canoes hold 6-10 paddlers. They are fast and stable boats, designed specifically for trips on big or moving water. An average day’s travel consists of 6-8 hours of paddling, depending on weather conditions. Travel distances are 7-22 miles. To protect the environment, WI uses “minimum impact” travel techniques.
To see a short video on the first UWCA trip go to:
www.startribune.com/video/26934499.html?elr=KArksUUUU
WEATHER: Temperatures can vary greatly throughout the season. Precipitation can also vary so you should expect the possibility of rain.
LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: This is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in comfortable Eureka Timberline tents. Typically, there are 3 people per 4-person tent (although other arrangements can be made). We recommend that you bring your own personal sleeping bag and "camprest" foam core inflatable mattress (a limited number of sleeping bags and mattresses are available as loaners for individuals who need them). Bathroom facilities consist of a foldable commode chair set up in a privacy tent. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness. There are also a few bathroom facilities along the route.
GROUP SIZE: Groups consist of 10- 20 participants, plus a Wilderness Inquiry staff for each boat. Each voyageur canoe holds up to 10 paddlers.
CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: A detailed clothing list will be sent upon confirmation of your participation in the event. Clothing requirements for this trip are dependent upon weather and specific activities. Contact Wilderness Inquiry if you cannot secure the proper clothing for the trip.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: No previous experience is needed to participate in this trip.
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Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.
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[ Dates & Fees ]
Since the U.S. Congress established the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in 1988, more and more has been written on the geology and history of the river that flows through heart of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Mississippi River National Park includes 72 miles of the Mississippi River stretching from the cities of Dayton and Ramsey to just south of Hastings.
For some interesting and entertaining reading we suggest you click on the links below.
For more information, visit these links:
Geology and History of the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
UWCA: Urban Wilderness Canoe Adventures
Friends of the Mississippi River
Telling River Stories: People and Places Along the Mississippi River
Water levels at the Ford Lock and Dam #1
Don Shelby talks about the UWCA and the Mississippi River
[ Dates & Fees ]
There are no trips available at this time.
(Join our waiting list to be notified when WI schedules a trip to Mississippi River 3-day Canoe Adventure)
