Kayaking: Exploring the Mississippi River Gorge and Lock & Dam #1 with Paddle Bridge (Southwest)
Experience the magic of the only gorge on the Mississippi - a canyon-like stretch of river with 150-foot-high sandstone cliffs, carved out over 11,000 years by same waterfall that landed Minneapolis on the map.
This trip starts with a shuttle pickup outside Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. After a short drive up to Bohemian Flats Park, our experienced guides will give a short safety and paddling demo before setting off with you on a 6.5-mile journey through the Mississippi River Gorge.
Before the end, you will descend through Lock and Dam Number 1, the largest active lock on the whole Mississippi. A quick-flowing mile later, we’ll get off the river at Hidden Falls Regional Park, before shuttling you back to Sea Salt Eatery.
As with all PBGC tours, the route and duration is subject to flexibility depending on weather conditions, water level & flow-rate, and group dynamics.
**What to bring:**
- Dress for water! Wear lightweight clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting wet — hot tip, have a dry layer in your car to change into after just in case
- Hats and sunglasses for the glare off the water
- Sunscreen/water bottle - guides should have extra, but we encourage use of a reusable water bottle to lessen reliance on single-use plastics
- Snacks for your guide - just kidding, but never a bad idea for yourself
Roughly a 3.5-4-hour trip.
Meet at Sea Salt, 4825 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417.9 AM: Shuttle from Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls Park to Bohemian Flats Park.
Board kayaks and depart from Bohemian Flats Park.
1:00 PM: Approximate return time to Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls Park.
We'll meet at Sea Salt Eatery, in the cul-de-sac that is adjacent to both the restaurant and the top of Minnehaha Falls, before shuttling upriver to our launch site at Bohemian Flats. Look for our bus and trailer full of kayaks!
Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your tour start time, as parking can take time.*
Street parking can be found for free in the neighborhood surrounding Sea Salt, or for $1.50-$2.00 per hour in the park's pay lots. Make sure your vehicle is good to go for at least 4 hours - we won't be on the water the whole time, but we'll be shuttling a few miles from the river landing at Hidden Falls.
*Avoid the parking hassles! If you're coming from downtown or near the Mall of America/MSP airport, consider taking the Light Rail - 50th Street/Minnehaha Park station is just across the street and a short walk from where we meet. There are also many Nice Ride bicycle stations nearby.
Space is limited.
If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if a tickets become available.
