Get out on the water this summer! Learn paddling skills from experienced guides while exploring some of Minnesota's most stunning lakes and rivers. These programs are designed especially for first-time paddlers; no experience is necessary. Afterwards, you and your friends or family will be ready to launch your own paddling adventure.
- Wide variety of entry-level canoeing and kayaking programs.
- Learn the skills necessary to safely venture out onto Minnesota's lakes and rivers with ease.
- All equipment provided, use of a canoe or kayak, plus paddles and life jackets.
- Small group sizes—you'll get the attention you need to develop your skills.
- No experience necessary.
- Great for families!
I Can Paddle! schedules and details
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- I Can Paddle! Canoeing on the Lake
Perfect for people that want to paddle together in the same boat. These programs teach the basics of canoeing on lakes, from launching a canoe to paddling efficiently and planning a safe canoe outing.
- Programs last approximately two hours.
- $25 per canoe, with up to three people per canoe (two paddling, one sitting in the middle).
- Participants must be at least 5 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Advance registration is required.
- A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks ($7/day or $35/year). One-day vehicle permits ($7 value) are included with all I Can! programs where a permit is required.
2019 Schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Thurs., June 6 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sat., June 8 10:00 a.m. Rice Lake State Park Sun., June 9 10:00 a.m. Sakatah Lake State Park Thurs., June 13 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., June 16 10:00 a.m. Lake Maria State Park Thurs., June 20 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thurs., June 27 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., July 7 10:00 a.m. Lake Maria State Park Thurs., July 11 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Sun., July 14 10:00 a.m. St. Croix State Park Thurs., July 18 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thurs., July 25 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Sun., July 28 10:00 a.m. Moose Lake State Park Thurs., Aug. 1 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., Aug. 4 10:00 a.m. Sibley State Park Thurs., Aug. 8 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Thurs., Aug. 15 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., Aug. 18 10:00 a.m. Lake Maria State Park Thurs., Aug. 22 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Thurs., Aug. 29 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park - I Can Paddle! Canoeing on the River
Perfect for people that want to paddle together in the same boat and take their canoeing to the next level. Paddle along miles of calm (no rapids) and scenic rivers while learning essential canoeing skills.
You'll learn how to read the river and river safety. Once on the water, we'll practice a variety of paddling techniques and maneuvers. You'll also learn how to plan a river trip of your own.- All programs start at 9:30 a.m. and go until approximately 2:30 p.m.
- $35 per canoe, with up to three people per canoe (two paddling, one sitting in the middle).
- Participants must be at least 8 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Advance registration is required.
- A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks ($7/day or $35/year). One-day vehicle permits ($7 value) are included with all I Can! programs where a permit is required.
Pre-Trip Information and Shuttling
Because of the length and remote nature of I Can Paddle! Canoeing on the River programs, participants will be provided with a pre-trip packet including a packing list, program description, directions to water access, etc. These packets will be e-mailed out following your registration.
Participants will meet at a program's designated water access; from there, we will shuttle you to the put-in where you will begin the program and then paddle back to your cars at the water access.
2019 Schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Nearest town Sat., June 15 9:30 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Sun., June 23 9:30 a.m. Otter Tail State Water Trail Fergus Falls Sat., July 6 9:30 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Sat., July 13 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sat., July 27 9:30 a.m. St. Louis River State Water Trail Duluth Sat., Aug. 3 9:30 a.m. Mississippi River State Water Trail Clearwater Sat., Aug. 17 9:30 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Sat., Aug. 24 9:30 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Sun., Aug. 25 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls - I Can Paddle! Canoe Camping
Our overnight canoe camping programs will help prepare you for future paddling trips to lakes and riverside campsites. We'll help you plan for your trip and make sure that you learn all of the necessary canoeing and camping skills as we paddle and camp along the St. Croix River.
- $85 per canoe (up to two people per canoe).
- Reservation includes meals and all canoeing and camping equipment.
- Participants must be at least 10 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Advance registration is required.
- Programs will conclude around noon on Sunday.
- A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks ($7/day or $35/year). One-day vehicle permits ($7 value) are included with all I Can! programs where a permit is required.
Pre-Trip Information and Shuttling
Because of the length and remote nature of I Can Paddle! Canoe Camping programs, participants will be provided with a pre-trip packet including a packing list, program description, and additional program information, etc. These packets will be e-mailed out following your registration. Participants will also receive an email or phone call form program leaders regarding meal preferences.
Participants will meet and begin the program at St. Croix State Park; from there, we will shuttle you up-river to the put-in where you will begin paddling, we will spend the night at a riverside campsite and then paddle the rest of the way back to your vehicles on Sunday morning.
2019 Schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Sat., June 29 9:00 a.m. St. Croix State Park/St. Croix State Water Trail Sat., July 20 9:00 a.m. St. Croix State Park/St. Croix State Water Trail Sat, Aug. 10 9:00 a.m. St. Croix State Park/St. Croix State Water Trail - I Can Paddle! Kayaking on the Lake
These programs teach the basics of kayaking on lakes, from launching a kayak to paddling efficiently and planning a safe kayak outing.
- Programs last approximately two hours.
- Participants must be at least 8 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- $20 per adult, $10 per child, one person per kayak.
- Advance registration is required.
- A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks ($7/day or $35/year). One-day vehicle permits ($7 value) are included with all I Can! programs where a permit is required.
2019 Schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Thurs., June 6 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sat., June 8 10:00 a.m. Sakatah Lake State Park Sun., June 9 10:00 a.m. Rice Lake State Park Thurs., June 13 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., June 16 1:00 p.m. Lake Maria State Park Thurs., June 20 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thurs., June 27 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., July 7 1:00 p.m. Lake Maria State Park Thurs., July 11 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., July 14 1:00 p.m. St. Croix State Park Thurs., July 18 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Thurs., July 25 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Sun., July 28 1:00 p.m. Moose Lake State Park Thurs., Aug. 1 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Sun., Aug. 4 1:00 p.m. Sibley State Park Thurs., Aug. 8 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thurs., Aug. 15 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park Sun., Aug. 18 1:00 p.m. Lake Maria State Park Thurs., Aug. 22 6:00 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thurs., Aug. 29 6:00 p.m. Ft. Snelling State Park - I Can Paddle! Kayaking on the River
Take your kayaking to the next level. Paddle along miles of the most scenic rivers in Minnesota. You'll learn how to read the river and river safety. Once on the water, we'll practice a variety of paddling techniques and maneuvers. You'll also learn how to plan a river trip for your entire family.
- All programs start at 11 a.m. and go until approximately 4 p.m.
- Participants must be at least 12 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- $30 per adult, $20 per child, one person per kayak.
- Advance registration is required.
- A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks ($7/day or $35/year). One-day vehicle permits ($7 value) are included with all I Can! programs where a permit is required.
Pre-Trip Information and Shuttling
Because of the length and remote nature of I Can Paddle! Kayaking on the River programs, participants will be provided with a pre-trip packet including a packing list, program description, directions to water access, etc. These packets will be e-mailed out following your registration.
Participants will meet at a program's designated water access; from there, we will shuttle you to the put-in where you will begin the program and then paddle back to your cars at the water access.
2019 Schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Nearest town Sat., June 15 11:00 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Sun., June 23 11:00 a.m. Otter Tail State Water Trail Fergus Falls Sat., June 29 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail North Branch Sun., June 30 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail North Branch Sat., July 6 11:00 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Sat., July 13 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sat., July 20 11:00 a.m. Cannon River State Water Trail Faribault Sun., July 21 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sat., July 27 11:00 a.m. St. Louis River State Water Trail Duluth Sat., Aug. 3 11:00 a.m. Mississippi River State Water Trail Clearwater Sat., Aug. 10 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail North Branch Sun., Aug. 11 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail North Branch Sat., Aug. 17 11:00 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Sat., Aug. 24 11:00 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Sun., Aug. 25 11:00 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls - I Can Paddle! Sea Kayaking
So you've paddled lakes and you've paddled rivers...but have you paddled a Great Lake? Try sea kayaking on the Lake Superior State Water Trail! You'll learn all the basics of sea kayaking while gliding past towering cliffs and the Split Rock Lighthouse.
- Programs last two hours.
- Participants must be at least 12 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- $45 per adult, $35 per child.
- Advance registration is required.
- A vehicle permit is required to enter all Minnesota state parks ($7/day or $35/year). One-day vehicle permits ($7 value) are included with all I Can! programs where a permit is required.
2019 Schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Sat., July 20 10:00 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Sat., July 20 1:00 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Sat., Aug. 10 10:00 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Sat., Aug. 10 11:0 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Sign Up Now!
Preregistration is required for all I Can Paddle! programs.
Early registration is recommended, as these programs tend to fill up fast. Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day sign up online now! Or, if you prefer to sign up by phone, call us toll-free, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily (excluding holidays): 866-857-2757.
Cancellations
All programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions. Cancellations for I Can Paddle! programs can be made up to one week prior to the program.
Questions
Still have questions? Please contact the DNR Information Center toll-free at (888) 646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also get more information by emailing [email protected].
This program is made possible by funds from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.