Bent River Outfitter offers guided kayak tours that go through a series of small rapids (suitable even for beginners) and near waterfalls in Blue Earth River, a fun adventure in Mankato. If you’d rather paddle without a tour, you can also rent kayaks and use the company's shuttle service. 

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of America's most beautiful and remote places, but it still manages to attract more than 150,000 annual visitors. Its vast wilderness extends 150 miles along the U.S.-Canada border, covering approximately 1,098,000 acres with more than 1,100 lakes and 1,500 miles of canoe routes.

To truly understand this incredible destination, you have to come experience it for yourself — either completely on your own or with the help of a local company like Boundary Waters Outfitters. Check out our four-day Boundary Waters for Beginners itinerary here.

One of the most classic spots to canoe or kayak is the Chain of Lakes Regional Park that connects Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. Along the route are views of downtown Minneapolis, islands, old bridges and a canal that links Cedar Lake to Lake of the Isles.

This location is also a great option for beginners and those without kayaks, because you can rent from Wheel Fun Rentals on the Northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska.

At the headwaters of the Mississippi River is Lake Itasca in Park Rapids. This glacial lake is a scenic spot to spend an afternoon kayaking, and rentals are available from Itasca Sports in Itasca State Park. 

The world’s largest freshwater lake delivers some of the state’s most dramatic scenery, along with beloved state parks, roaring rivers and water so clear that a calm day can feel like paddling across glass.

Resorts and outfitters along this water trail stretching from the St. Louis River near Duluth to the Pigeon River on the Canadian border can help you pick the best segments and safest conditions. If Lake Superior is acting moody or it’s too windy to paddle, inland lakes can offer an alternative.

Whether you’re looking for a city or nature route, the Mississippi River has multiple scenic options. Paddle Share makes it easy to reserve a kayak rental in Minneapolis and pick it up from a locker with a provided code for the trip. Just leave a car where you plan to finish, or plan some other way to get back once the journey is over.  

Scenic is an understatement when describing the views within the Taylors Falls area. The St. Croix River runs between foliage-covered rocky cliffs, which makes it spectacular in both summer and fall.

Since it’s easier to paddle in one direction on a river, a great option is to rent your watercraft from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental and flow with the river downstream to Osceola Landing (7 miles) or William O’Brien State Park (17 miles), then take their shuttle back to your car. 

For a truly exhilarating kayak experience, try whitewater kayaking on the St. Louis River. If you haven’t gone before, start with an introductory course from Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton – just 15 minutes from Duluth. If water levels are too low (which can result in unsafe conditions), they also offer the option of whitewater rafting, which is fun for the whole family.

Voyageurs National Park calls to adventurous travelers with breathtaking landscapes and some of the darkest skies in the world. Water makes up more than one-third of the park's 218,000 acres, and for most of the year, the park's interior — including lots of lakes and 52 miles of hiking trails — is accessible only by boat. For the latest alerts and information about fees, passes, reservations and permits, head over to nps.gov.