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.
- 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!
- Advance registration is required.
- I Can Paddle! Canoeing
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 two people per canoe.
- A third person may be permitted to sit in the middle of the canoe with two other paddlers at no extra cost. This would be ideal for two parents with a younger child. Note that there is no seat in the middle of the canoe.
- 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 Paddle! programs where a permit is required.
2023 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
- 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 two people per canoe.
- 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.
2023 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Nearest town Saturday, June 24 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sunday, June 25 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Saturday, July 8 9:30 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Saturday, July 15 9:30 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Sunday, July 16 9:30 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Saturday, July 22 9:30 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Saturday, July 29 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sunday, July 30 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Saturday, August 12 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sunday, August 13 9:30 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls - I Can Paddle! Kayaking
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 Paddle! programs where a permit is required.
2023 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
- I Can Paddle! Kayaking on the River
Take your kayaking to the next level as you 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.
2023 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Nearest town Saturday, June 24 11 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sunday, June 25 11 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Saturday, July 8 11 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Saturday, July 15 11 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Sunday, July 16 11 a.m. Minnesota River State Water Trail Carver Saturday, July 22 11 a.m. Rum River State Water Trail Cambridge Saturday, July 29 11 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sunday, July 30 11 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Saturday, August 12 11 a.m. St. Croix River State Water Trail Taylors Falls Sunday, August 13 11 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.
2023 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Saturday, July 15 10 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Saturday, July 15 1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Saturday, July 29 10 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Saturday, July 29 1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Saturday, August 19 10 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Saturday, August 19 1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park - 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 through St. Croix State Park, or on Savanna Lake located in Savanna Portage State Park.
- $85 per canoe, with up to two people per canoe.
- Reservation includes meals and all canoeing and camping equipment. (Sleeping bag not included.)
- 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 begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude by noon the following day.
- 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 Paddle! programs where a permit is required.
Additional information
Participants will be provided with a pre-trip packet that includes additional program information, logistics and packing lists to help you prepare for your trip. These packets will be emailed out following your registration. Participants will also receive an email and/or phone call from program leaders regarding meal preferences.
Note that the participant experience differs slightly between the two locations:
St. Croix State Park: We'll meet at the park and then shuttle together up-river to the river access. We’ll spend the day paddling to a remote rustic group campsite along the St. Croix River, where we’ll focus on camp skills and spend the night. The next day we’ll break camp and paddle down-river, back to our vehicles at the park. These programs offer a more remote canoe camping experience, but you will need to shuttle up-river with us and you will not be near your vehicle overnight.
Savanna Portage State Park: We'll meet everyone at the group camp and paddle out directly from there. We'll spend the day paddling, and then return to the group camp to focus on canoe camping skills and spend the night. The next morning we’ll break camp and offer some additional canoeing instruction before we end the day at the group camp where we began. These programs are a bit more convenient for participants, since you won't need to shuttle.
2023 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Saturday, July 15 9:30 a.m. St. Croix State Park Saturday, July 29 9:30 a.m. St. Croix State Park Saturday, August 12 9:30 a.m. St. Croix State Park Saturday, August 26 9:30 a.m. Savanna Portage State Park
Sign up now!
Pre-registration is required for all I Can! 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 866-857-2757.
Cancellations
All programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions. Cancellations for I Can! programs can be made up to one week prior to the program for a full refund minus the reservation fee.
Questions?
Still have questions? Please contact the DNR Information Center. 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.