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Day-trips for Canoeing
and Kayaking
BY CYNTHIA PARSONS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
W
North
minnes ota
ADVENTURE
ith hundreds of ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams
within 30 minutes to a few hours north of
the Twin Cities, there’s no need to drive to
the Boundary Waters to find an enjoyable canoeing and
kayaking experience. Don’t have or want to haul a canoe?
Not sure where to go? Outfitters will equip you with all you’ll
need for a fun time out on the water, whether it’s to spend
a few hours, a day, a few nights, a week or more canoeing,
kayaking or camping. These four outfitters will help you plan
your trip, and, if you want, they’ll go along as a guide:
Shirley Mae’s Outfitters in Little Falls, Minn., is located on the
Mississippi River and provides canoe, kayak and stand-up
paddleboard rentals, and shuttle services. They are located
90 minutes from the Twin Cities. Once on the water, you may
not see another person during the entire trip. Unlike at the
boundary waters, no permit is required.
Owner John Carpenter says, “We cover the Mississippi River
between Brainerd and Royalton, Minn., (which many call
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