Get your family 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 family will be ready to launch your own paddling adventure.
- 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; all equipment provided.
- Great for families!
I Can Paddle! schedules and details
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- Canoeing on the Lake
Perfect for families 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.
- Children must be at least 5 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Programs last approximately two hours.
- $25 per canoe, with up to three people per canoe (two paddling, one sitting in the middle).
- 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.
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date
Time
Location
Thu., June 7
6:00 p.m.
Sun., June 10
10:00 a.m.
Thu., June 14
6:00 p.m.
Sun., June 17
10:00 a.m.
Thu., June 21
6:00 p.m.
Sun., June 24
10:00 a.m.
Thu., June 28
6:00 p.m.
Thu., July 5
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 8
10:00 a.m.
Thu., July 12
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 15
10:00 a.m.
Thu., July 19
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 22
10:00 a.m.
Thu., July 26
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 29
10:00 a.m.
Thu., August 2
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 5
10:00 a.m.
Thu., August 9
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 12
10:00 a.m.
Thu., August 16
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 19
10:00 a.m.
Thu., August 23
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 26
10:00 a.m.
Thu., August 30
6:00 p.m.
- 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.
- Children must be at least 8 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Programs last approximately two hours.
- $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.
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date
Time
Location
Thu., June 7
6:00 p.m.
Sun., June 10
10:00 a.m.
Thu., June 14
6:00 p.m.
Sun., June 17
10:00 a.m.
Thu., June 21
6:00 p.m.
Sun., June 24
10:00 a.m.
Thu., June 28
6:00 p.m.
Thu., July 5
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 8
1:00 p.m.
Thu., July 12
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 15
1:00 p.m.
Thu., July 19
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 22
1:00 p.m.
Thu., July 26
6:00 p.m.
Sun., July 29
1:00 p.m.
Thu., August 2
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 5
1:00 p.m.
Thu., August 9
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 12
1:00 p.m.
Thu., August 16
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 19
1:00 p.m.
Thu., August 23
6:00 p.m.
Sun., August 26
1:00 p.m.
Thu., August 30
6:00 p.m.
- Canoeing on the River
Perfect for families that want to paddle together in the same boat and take their canoeing 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.
- Children must be at least 8 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- 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).
- 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.
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date
Time
Location
Nearest Town
Sat., June 16
9:30 a.m.
Taylors Falls
Sat., June 23
9:30 a.m.
Carver
Sun., July 1
9:30 a.m.
Fergus Falls
Sat., July 7
9:30 a.m.
North Branch
Sat., July 14
9:30 a.m.
Chatfield
Sat., July 21
9:30 a.m.
Cambridge
Sat., July 28
9:30 a.m.
Clearwater
Sat., August 4
9:30 a.m.
Taylors Falls
Sat., August 11
9:30 a.m.
Duluth
Sat., August 18
9:30 a.m.
Carver
Sat., August 25
9:30 a.m.
Cambridge
Sat., September 1
9:30 a.m.
North Branch
- 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.
- Children must be at least 12 years old.
- Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- All programs start at 11 a.m. and go until approximately 4 p.m.
- $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.
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date
Time
Location
Nearest Town
Sat., June 16
11:00 a.m.
Taylors Falls
Sat., June 23
11:00 a.m.
Carver
Sun., July 1
11:00 a.m.
Fergus Falls
Sat., July 7
11:00 a.m.
North Branch
Sat., July 14
11:00 a.m.
Chatfield
Sat., July 21
11:00 a.m.
Cambridge
Sat., July 28
11:00 a.m.
Clearwater
Sat., August 4
11:00 a.m.
Taylors Falls
Sat., August 11
11:00 a.m.
Duluth
Sat., August 18
11:00 a.m.
Carver
Sat., August 25
11:00 a.m.
Cambridge
Sat., September 1
11:00 a.m.
North Branch
- 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.
- Children 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.
- Programs last two hours.
- 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.
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date
Time
Location
Sat., July 21
10 a.m.
Sat., July 21
1 p.m.
Sat., August 18
10 a.m.
Sat., August 18
1 p.m.
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.
Before you go
Packing checklist What to bring to an I Can Paddle! program?
Safety tips Best practices when you are on the water
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.