President: Mark Nelson

Dedicated to leisurely paced river paddling

The River Ramblers is an organization dedicated to leisurely paced river paddling, with an emphasis on enjoying the great outdoors. Individual and family participation is encouraged. We have both quiet and whitewater trips. We ask for a $3 contribution per boat, per trip, or $10 year, to cover the costs of this website, keep the River Ramblers organization functioning, and support organizations that work to better our local rivers.

Do you love paddling? We are always looking for new trip coordinators! Interested paddlers - please send an email to MARK NELSON

Car shuttles and trip coordinators

River Rambler trip coordinators send out the trip packets and arrange the car shuttles. Shuttles involve moving the paddler's cars to the take out or put in, depending on the river. The trip coordinator is a volunteer who has paddled the trip before, often for many years. They are coordinating trips that they themselves are going on to have fun. You will find on these trips other people who truly share an appreciation for nature, enjoyable exercise, fresh air, and adventure.

River Ramblers supports Friends of the Mississippi, Friends of the St. Croix, Friends of the Kinni, and Twin Cities Paddlers.


CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE (LINK)

for photos from trips and announcements about last minute trips. REMEMBER to Follow and Like!

USE THIS LINK - SHORT-TERM SCHEDULING for Facebook Page

If you are interested in last minute trip notifications, you can be added to an email list or contact the Facebook page. Send your email to the list through this link.
USE THIS LINK - LAST MINUTE TRIP NOTIFICATIONS EMAIL LIST



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You are responsible for your own safety

Read the CODE OF EXPECTATIONS - CLICK HERE TO READ

Trip Coordinators Are expected to provide notification to all people received the trip's Info Packet whenever the trip is rescheduled, canceled, or postponed.

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Trip ratings designate the level of experience required to paddle a trip. In some cases trip coordinators may request your confirmation that you have the skills required to ensure the trip is safe and enjoyable for everyone. If you are unsure of your skills, ask the trip coordinator for recommendations on if the trip is right for you.

Read the Trip Summaries

Come join the River Ramblers on this 2026 paddling season, and see for yourself how fun and relaxing it can be to enjoy the beautiful rivers and creeks that surround us. The best way to find out if this is for you is to join the River Ramblers on one or more trips.

Check out the Trip Summaries to see if any of the trips sound interesting to you. Trip packets can be obtained from the trip coordinators for any trip; and they give the basics of what will be necessary to enjoyably participate on that trip including meeting time and location. Then just be at the meeting place, with the correct gear, at the designated time, ready to have a really good time. Hopefully we will see you on at least one of the rivers or creeks enjoying nature soon.

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TRIP SCHEDULE 2026

You are welcome to come for one day of multiple day trips.

*** Indicates WHITEWATER TRIPS ***

  • BEGINNER
  • INTERMEDIATE
  • ADVANCED

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  • April or May (date to be determined) *** UPPER IOWA RIVER ***

    INTERMEDIATE (WHITEWATER)

    Pine woodlands on dramatic and unusual limestone bedrock formations make these three runs on the Upper Iowa River highly enjoyable. In a three-day period beginning on a Friday (but before Memorial Day weekend), the three river trips would be Bluffton to Malanaphy Springs, Kendallville to Chimney Rock Park, and Plumber's Park to Kendallville.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: ELLE ZWICKY

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  • April 18 *** HALL'S CREEK ***

    INTERMEDIATE (WHITEWATER)

    Hall's Creek is a magnificent East Central Wisconsin Creek. This trip starts at the Trow Lake Dam in Merrillan, Wisconsin, and flows 11.5 miles south to the Black River. Hall's Creek features root beer colored water, numerous ripples, Class I & Class II rapids and sandstone rock walls and outcroppings at nearly every turn. There are few houses and only one bridge along this route which provides for a unique remote experience. This is truly some of the best paddling Wisconsin has to offer!

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: DON SCHAUB

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  • April 25 *** LOWER TAMARACK RIVER ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    The Lower Tamarack River is a small tributary of the St. Croix River east of Hinckley MN. Constant Class I rapids flow throughout most of this trip because of the river's gradient of 14 feet per mile. Enthusiasts of big beautiful pines have a lot to look at on this narrow, winding river, and although it is uncommon for downed trees to block the Lower Tamarack, there is a possibility of that because of the density of tall pines.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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  • May 9 *** STRAIGHT RIVER (Krogh's Landing to Two Rivers Park) ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    Paddling the last miles of the Straight River before it becomes a tributary into the Cannon, we will go under about 10 bridges in 10 miles. Early in the trip is a glacial boulder about the size of a small garage. This trip will also go through River Bend Nature Center and Teepee Tonka Park. The Straight has a quick pace with an average gradient of 6.2 ft per mile.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: DON SCHAUB

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  • May 17 CANNON RIVER (Cannon Falls to Welch)

    BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE

    This is a 13 mile run through beautiful bluff country and hardwood forests. Depending on water level, this river can range from Intermediate in high water or Beginner at medium or lower water levels. Shortly after launching the Little Cannon River joins the main branch making a significant Class I rapids which can have whirlpools that tip paddlers. In places, you will have to determine the best branch of the river to take; the outside curve usually has the most water and possibly rapids, but may require quick maneuvering to avoid downed trees and branches. There will be rocks and gravel bars to avoid in low water. The ability to read the river is helpful. There is a $5.00 landing fee to use the landing at the Welch Canoe and Kayak Outfitters.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARILYNN TORKELSON

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  • May 23 *** SNAKE RIVER (Pine City to St. Croix) ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    This river section is the last 12 miles of the Snake River before it becomes a tributary into the St. Croix. There are rapids and trees in the river at the put-in, making this Intermediate level as soon as your boat gets wet. Depending on water level, there may be class II rapids.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: CYNDI BARTHEL

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  • MAY 30 MISSISSIPPI RIVER (Monticello to Elk River)

    Beginner

    With the channels of the Mississippi merged into a single broad stream, the river from Monticello to Elk River flows smoothly past wooded hills or eroded banks, through cities and pockets of residential development. The paddling distance will be about 16 miles with an average gradient of about 2 ft per mile.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MIKE DOUGHERTY

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  • May 31 - RUM RIVER (Cambridge to Martin's Landing)

    Beginner

    The Rum river is designated a Wild and Scenic River with mature forests and abundant wildlife. Prepare to see eagles, kingfishers, green and blue herons, Trumpeter swans, deer, fox and otters. This is a 7.8 mile trip (3 to 3.5 hours) and if you are new to river paddling, this is the perfect starter trip. The mild current, sandy bottom and clean water provide many places to swim or have a snack on a sandbar. Bring your camera, swimsuit and a lunch for a fun day on the river.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NANCY LUNZER

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  • JUNE 6 - SAUK RIVER (Cold Spring to East Park/Co Rd 121)

    Beginner

    This trip meanders through woods and some pasture and occasionally passes by bedrock outcroppings of grayish pinkish granite. One of the islands is 20 feet across and is all granite. The paddling distance will be 11.6 miles and a gradient of 2 feet per mile.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: WAYNE HEATH

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  • June 13 - UPPER ST. CROIX RIVER

    Beginner

    The Upper St. Croix offers something for everyone: Beautiful scenery, novice rapids, and slow currents. The lazy paddling from Riverside to just above St. Croix State Park takes about 4-5 hours, including a lunch stop on a sandbar. The clear water and sandy bottom allow swimming almost at will. There is free camping available at Howell Landing East for anyone wanting to take full advantage of the weekend to explore further on Sunday on your own.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: CYNDI BARTHEL

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  • June 20 - ROOT RIVER (Parsley Landing to Moen's Bridge)

    INTERMEDIATE

    This is a gentle flowing, spring fed, peaceful river with a sandy bottom. There are a few rocks and riffles. The banks are mostly tree-lined with limestone walls and some awesome towering bluffs. Join us for a quiet paddle further away from the commotion of riverside campgrounds and outfitter tours. The Root River supports over 40 species of birds including blue herons, egrets, wood ducks, red-tailed hawks, osprey, turkey vultures and bald eagles. Wooded shores harbor mammals such as deer, gray fox, red fox, coyotes, raccoons, woodchucks, squirrels, weasels, river otters and badgers. The timber rattlesnake can be found along the banks, trails and outcrops anywhere in southeastern Minnesota.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: ELLE ZWICKY

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  • June 28 *** APPLE RIVER ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    This section of the Apple River is happily far upstream from the tubing area which on Independence Day weekend will draw crowds of tubers. It will be a 14 mile trip, mostly flatwater, but includes an exciting section of riffles and Class I rapids, which if water level is high, could become Class II. If there are a couple of participants who have a trailer for hauling multiple boats, we can do a reverse shuttle, cutting down driving time.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARILYNN TORKELSON

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  • July 11-12 - LOWER NAMEKAGON RIVER WEEKEND

    Beginner

    The Lower Namekagon offers a slow pace to give you time to enjoy the scenery, bask in the warmth, observe the animals, and celebrate the lazy days of summer. On Saturday we will be canoeing the shallow, sandy-bottomed section downstream from the campsite. Lunch will be at a halfway point where there are picnic tables. After lunch we will be go past the highest sand dune in northern Wisconsin. We will also have possible swim stops where the water deepens. On Saturday evening we will have time at the campsite to socialize some more around a campfire. On Sunday we will put in upstream and paddle back to the campsite take-out. The river on this upper section again is relatively narrow, clear, shallow, and sandy, and it also has an abundance of fish, turtles, ducks, osprey, and deer.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: CYNDI BARTHEL

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  • July 18 *** CROW RIVER-NORTH FORK ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    Deadfalls can cause portaging on the North Fork and Class 1 rapids have made this an Intermediate rating. Occasional submerged boulders dot the stream. There is a picnic area with a shelter, drinking water, and toilets at Forest City.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: WAYNE HEATH

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  • August 1 - CANNON RIVER (Two Rivers Park to Dundas)

    Beginner

    With the waters of the tributary Straight River often doubling the size of the Cannon River below Two Rivers Park, the Cannon becomes a big river which historically powered Faribault Woolen Mills and the Archibald Flour Mill just west of this trip's takeout. The larger Cannon also eroded out 200 ft bluffs towering over the river. The trip distance is about 13 miles with average gradient of about 3 ft per mile.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: DON SCHAUB

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  • August 8 - MISSISSIPPI RIVER (Diamond Bluff, WI)

    INTERMEDIATE

    The Mississippi River is home to the American Lotus with pale-yellow, fragrant flowers that can reach 10 inches in diameter and leaves that can be 2 feet wide. We are going to paddle to a beautiful colony of lotus in a backwater of the Mississippi River just up river from Diamond Bluff, WI, (north of Red Wing, MN). We will launch from the small town of Diamond Bluff, WI, and cross the main channel to the back channels of the river to the area of the Mississippi River called Sturgeon Lake. We will also paddle down river to see The Cove, an island with a mountain of sand created by dredging the river. This is a there-and-back day trip with no shuttle for about 4 hours. The Mississippi is slow moving and you will have to paddle the entire time, be able to handle large wakes from big boats and possibly barges, and cross the main channel from the east side to the backwaters in the middle in the Mississippi.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: JOANNIE JOHNSON

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  • August 15-16 - MIDDLE NAMEKAGON WEEKEND

    INTERMEDIATE

    The Upper Namekagon between Hayward and Earl, Wisconsin has a swift current with a series of moderate (Class I-II) rapids - just enough to keep it enjoyable. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of one of America's most scenic wild rivers. Wildlife abounds on this trip. Saturday night we relax at the rustic campground at Earl that is encircled by the river. The current is slow here giving us the opportunity to step into the river, float a good quarter mile and step out at the other side of the campground. On Sunday we backtrack a little and repeat the best part of the river and continue further downstream. We will be paddling about 4 hours each day.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: WAYNE HEATH

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  • August 22 - RUM RIVER (Becklin's Homestead to Cambridge)

    Beginner

    Starting at Becklin's Homestead Co. Park WMA to Cambridge for 9.1 miles on the Scenic and Wild Rum river. This is easy paddling with a mild current along sandy shores with occasional maneuvering around downed trees. The Wild designation means you will see abundant wildlife, as eagles, herons, kingfishers, otters, fox, deer and Trumpeter swans. So bring the camera and lunch and get out in nature for a 3-4 hour paddle.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NANCY LUNZER

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  • August 29 *** ROOT RIVER *** (Moens Landing to Hwy 16)

    INTERMEDIATE

    This is a wonderful section of the Root River that flows through scenic valleys in the heart of the Driftless region. This is an easy 13 mile route that offers hilly vistas, rock outcroppings and many ripples and small rapids. There are very few houses along the way and the first bridge is 11.5 miles downstream making for a remote paddling experience. Wildlife is very abundant, deer, fox, woodchucks and racoons can be seen along the shore as well as over 40 species of birds including eagles, heron, ducks, geese, songbirds and vultures, to name a few. A delightful day trip for paddlers of all skill levels.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: DON SCHAUB

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  • September 5 - LOWER ST. CROIX RIVER

    Beginner

    This section of the St. Croix offers a heavily wooded steep-sided valley with basalt bedrock from ancient lava, located just downstream of the put-in, and sandstone bedrock cliffs at the take-out. Winding side channels and shaded backwaters offer a chance for some exploration. Springs and small streams entering the river create miniature deltas and valleys. Put-in will be Interstate Park of Minnesota and take-out will be Osceola Landing.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: POLENTA SPUMONI (Pamela Scaia)

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  • September 12 - *** KINNICKINNIC RIVER ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    Paddle the river that gives its name to River Falls, WI. This is a small twisting and turning river in a deep wooded gorge. It offers superb scenery with difficulty comparable to Rice and Minnehaha creeks. This is a favorite paddle for many of the River Rambler members. It is less than an hour from the Twin Cities and probably the most scenic paddle within that distance.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK DE BOER

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  • September 26 - MISSISSIPI RIVER (St. Cloud to Clearwater)

    Beginner

    Paddle narrow channels through the Beaver Islands at the start of our trip. The islands are a mix of public and private land. The river then widens through a mostly undeveloped landscape with bluffs. There are several public boat launches and campsites perfect for a picnic lunch stop or to stretch our legs along the way. Expect some riffles when the river levels are low and fast moving water when they are high.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: CYNDI BARTHEL

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  • October 3- LOWER CANNON RIVER

    Beginner

    The Cannon is a fun river and only a short drive from the Twin Cities. We will paddle an 11 mile trip from Miesville Ravine Park Reserve to Highway 61. We hope to avoid most of the inner tubers at this time of year so we may have this great section of the Cannon to ourselves.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK DE BOER

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  • October 10- *** RED CEDAR RIVER (Village of Sand Creek to Ford Park) ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    Mid-October autumn color is usually very good on this section of the Red Cedar River, paddling from the Village of Sand Creek to Ford Park. Cool weather and cold water make this trip rated Intermediate skill level, though the only rapids are small riffles. We will pass sandstone bedrock formations in a couple places. The paddling trip will be about 12 miles with a river speed of about 4 miles per hour.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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Trip Coordinators

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