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.
- 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! program details and schedules
- 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.
2021 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Thursday, June 10 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, June 12 10 a.m. - noon William O'Brien State Park Thursday, June 17 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thursday, June 24 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, June 26 10 a.m. - noon Sakatah Lake State Park Sunday, June 27 10 a.m. - noon Rice Lake State Park Thursday, July 8 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thursday, July 15 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, July 17 10 a.m. - noon Jay Cooke State Park Saturday, July 17 1 - 3 p.m. Jay Cooke State Park Sunday, July 18 10 a.m. - noon Moose Lake State Park Thursday, July 22 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thursday, July 29 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Thursday, August 5 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Saturday, August 7 10 a.m. - noon Maplewood State Park Sunday, August 8 2 - 4 p.m. Maplewood State Park Thursday, August 12 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Sunday, August 15 10 a.m. - noon William O'Brien State Park Thursday, August 19 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park - 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.
2021 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Thursday, June 10 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Saturday, June 12 10 a.m. - noon Fort Snelling State Park Thursday, June 17 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, June 19 10 a.m. - noon Rice Lake State Park Sunday, June 20 10 a.m. - noon Sakatah Lake State Park Thursday, June 24 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thursday, July 8 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, July 10 10 a.m. - noon Sibley State Park Saturday, July 10 1 - 3 p.m. Sibley State Park Sunday, July 11 10 a.m. - noon Lake Maria State Park Thursday, July 15 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Thursday, July 22 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, July 24 10 a.m. - noon Sibley State Park Saturday, July 24 1 - 3 p.m. Sibley State Park Sunday, July 25 10 a.m. - noon Lake Maria State Park Thursday, July 29 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Saturday, July 31 10 a.m. - noon Jay Cooke State Park Sunday, August 1 10 a.m. - noon Moose Lake State Park Sunday, August 1 1 - 3 p.m. Moose Lake State Park Thursday, August 5 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling State Park Saturday, August 7 2 - 4 p.m. Maplewood State Park Sunday, August 8 10 a.m. - noon Maplewood State Park Thursday, August 12 6 - 8 p.m. William O'Brien State Park Saturday, August 14 10 a.m. - noon Fort Snelling State Park Thursday, August 19 6 - 8 p.m. Fort Snelling 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 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 10 a.m. and conclude by 10 a.m. 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.
Because of restrictions related to COVID-19, this year's programs will take place in the Savanna Portage State Park group camp rather than in a remote watercraft campsite. We will still go through the process of loading canoes with gear, and paddle loaded canoes. We'll start at the group camp, paddle out directly from the group camp and spend the day paddling, and then return to the group camp to focus on canoe camping skills and spend the night.
2021 schedule
Ready to sign up? Reserve now!
Date Time Location Saturday, July 10 10 a.m. Savanna Portage State Park Saturday, July 31 10 a.m. Savanna Portage State Park Saturday, August 14 10 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.