Paddling

Paddling
One of the favorite activities by people of all ages across the Minnesota River Basin is paddling their favorite river.  Some offer more of a challenge like the Rush River south of Henderson or Beaver Creek in rural Renville County.  Other rivers are more of a family experience including the Chippewa and Pomme de Terre rivers in the Upper Minnesota River Basin.  Paddle the Redwood River from County Road 6 to the Redwood Lake (photo below).

Minnesota River Water Trails Program (DNR) - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/minnesotariver/index.html  There are 32 state water trails in the state including the Minnesota, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Pomme de Terre, Redwood and Watonwan rivers.

Minnesota River Watershed Alliance - minnesota river paddler program  By paddling a specific number of rivers in the basin or the entire length of the Minnesota River, you can earn one or all three unique patches/decals through the Minnesota River Paddler Program.  Fill out this form and send to scott.kudelka@mnsu.edu to receive a patch or decal.

Clean Up the River Environment (CURE) - http://www.curemnriver.org/  This nonprofit organization rents out both canoes and kayaks, along with a trailer to haul them.  CURE hosts organized paddles in the Upper Minnesota River basin and sponsors the Prairie Paddle patch. 

Lac qui Parle State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lac_qui_parle/index.html  Situated at the south end of the lake, this state park has a canoe access on Lac qui Parle River.

Glacial Lakes State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glacial_lakes/index.html  On the far northwest edge of the basin, this state park has canoe rentals and a 56-acre lake.

Upper Sioux Agency State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/upper_sioux_agency/index.html  Canoes are available for rent and two access points on the Minnesota River. 

Redwood Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) - http://www.rcrca.com/  The RCRCA rents out canoes along with a trailer for transport and supports a paddle on the Redwood River and the Cottonwood River open to the public.

Minneopa State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/index.html  Found outside of Mankato, this state park rents out canoes and a trailer for transporting them.

Mankato Paddling and Outing Club - http://www.hickorytech.net/~mrbscr/index.htm  This group of recreational users sponsors a wide variety of paddles and also organizes river clean-ups.

Fort Snelling State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html  At the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, this state park has boat access to the Minnesota River and Snelling Lake.