Paddle with a Ranger: Fall Foliage

Event Overview

Explore the Mississippi River Gorge by kayak on a guided paddle, where steep, forested bluffs rise around you and the current carries centuries of stories downstream. Led by National Park Service rangers, this guided paddle invites participants to experience the only true gorge along the entire Mississippi River—a landscape shaped by powerful geologic forces and sustained by vibrant ecosystems that continue to thrive in the heart of the Twin Cities.

Rangers will share the cultural and natural history woven into this stretch of water. You’ll learn how glaciers sculpted the gorge, how mussels and migratory birds depend on its habitats, and how generations of people—from Indigenous communities to present‑day residents—have forged deep connections with this place. The river becomes a living narrative, revealing stories of resilience, change, and stewardship.

Autumn offers its own kind of magic here. The canopy glows with reds and golds, framing the skyline of Minneapolis in the soft light of fall. From your seat at the waterline, you’ll see the seasonal transition in motion: rustling leaves, crisp air, and the quiet calm that settles over the gorge as summer fades.

By journey’s end, you’ll have explored the Mississippi River Gorge not just as a visitor, but as part of its ongoing story—connected to the landscape, its history, and the shared responsibility of caring for this remarkable stretch of the nation's iconic river.

Transportation

Participants must manage their own transportation. The paddle begins at Bohemian Flats Park and ends at the Minneapolis Rowing Club north of the Lake Street-Marshall Avenue Bridge. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own transportation from the start and end locations. A public pay lot is located at Bohemian Flats Park and free on street parking is available along West River Parkway near the Minneapolis Rowing Club. Rideshare, taxi, or public transit may also be used.