City of Birds Kayak Tour in Minneapolis, MN

#Witness the wild and wondrous wings of the great blue heron rookery!

Duration

• 2.5 - 3.5 hours (depending on shuttle traffic and river conditions)

About

For this downriver tour, we’ll meet at Boom Island and use our bus to shuttle up to our launch site at Anoka County Riverfront Regional Park.

• After a short paddle skill introduction on land, you’ll embark downriver, under bridges old and new, toward the old Upper Harbor Terminal and the site of a gigantic new park currently under construction. We’ll pause to gawk at the squawking residents of two special islands that make up the great blue heron rookery - or as we like to call it, “city of birds,” as it’s home to great egrets and cormorants as well - the true treasure of this route. You’ll enjoy the current and one of the most distinctive skyline views from anywhere in town, a customary photo-op. Depending on conditions, the tour may wrap up with either a visit to the Bassett Creek lagoon, or a straight shot back into the Boom Island marina. Our guides each have their own style and stories to tell, but all will share in pulling back the veil of time and pointing out various histories written, washed away, and sometimes still visible on the banks of the Mississippi.

As with all PBGC tours, the route and duration is subject to flexibility depending on weather conditions, water level & flow-rate, and group dynamics. Distance will be reflected accordingly, but averages 6 miles on this stretch.

Additional Info

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
• We will have a dry bag for anything small that you don't want to get wet; we take pictures with a waterproof camera, so you don't have to risk yours!

Note: Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the tour start time. Paid parking is available in the park lot, or for free on Sibley St NE, across from the park entrance.