City route

North Mississippi Regional Park to Boom Island Regional Park

Distance: 4 miles
Paddle Time: ~1 hour 15 minutes
Rental Days and Times, Summer Schedule: Monday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday 9:00am to 3:00 pm 11:00am to 5:00pm Rental Days and Times, Post Labor Day Schedule: Saturday, or Sunday 9:00am to 3:00 pm 11:00am to 5:00pm

Route Description:

Launch from the sandy beach at North Mississippi Regional Park. Enjoy the scenic treelined riverbank and watch as industry and development begin to appear downstream. Paddle past the Upper Harbor Terminal, a site the City of Minneapolis plans to redevelop. Explore the islands that serve as a heron rookery and hear the raucous calls as the birds nest and raise their chicks. Pass under the Lowry Avenue bridge and enjoy the best view of the Minneapolis skyline.

How To Get Back

This route will require you to either have two vehicles, one parked at the route’s start and end or use public transportation, ride share or micro mobility services like Bird, Lyft, and Lime. If you decide to use a micro mobility service or bike the approximate distance is 4.3 miles (40 minutes) between North Mississippi Regional Park and Boom Island Park. Paid parking is available at Boom Island, and free parking is available at North Mississippi. Please ensure valuables are out of sight in parked cars. Metro Transit busses can also get you back to where you started please double check transit schedules and walking distances before departing.

Please Note:

At North Mississippi, carry your boats down the small hill from the rental station to the shoreline. Dragging the boats can cause significant damage.

*If you select the 9:00am - 3:00pm time slot:

You can pick up your kayak any time after 9:00am. You must return the equipment by 3:00pm. Plan your trip to allow enough time to retrieve the equipment, paddle, and return the equipment by 3:00pm. If kayaks are returned after 3:00PM, the credit card that was used to purchase the reservation will be charged with an automatic $100 late fee. Please plan accordingly.

*If you select the 11:00am - 5:00pm time slot:

You can pick up your kayak any time after 11:00am. You must return the equipment by 5:00pm. Plan your trip to allow enough time to retrieve the equipment, paddle, and return the equipment by 5:00pm. If kayaks are returned after 5:00PM, the credit card that was used to purchase the reservation will be charged with an automatic $100 late fee. Please plan accordingly.

The orientation of the map below is similar to navigating on your car or phone's GPS. The cardinal direction is posted on the map, with SOUTH pointing downstream, which is the direction you will travel in the kayak.