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



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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 2025 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 2025

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

*** Indicates WHITEWATER TRIPS ***

  • BEGINNER
  • INTERMEDIATE
  • ADVANCED

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  • April 19 *** 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 26 *** TOTOGATIC RIVER ***

    ADVANCED (WHITEWATER)

    This is a 7 mile scenic run in Washburn County, north of Hayward, WI and Minong, WI. The trip includes dozens of long class I and shorter class II rapids, punctuated by intermittent areas of quiet water. Early in the trip is a 20 foot waterfall over a horizontal distance of 50 feet and 4 miles later there is a 15 foot waterfall over a horizontal distance of 150 foot. Both falls have a portage of about 100 to 150 feet. Most of the terrain is very appealing to see, with moss-covered basalt bedrock and second growth pine that is now over a hundred years old after the end of the original logging era. The paddling can easily become a 4-hour run because the portages are time consuming and just by wanting to view the waterfalls and experience the near-wilderness conditions. That also is a reason for the group to stay together. -

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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  • April 27 *** NAMEKAGON RIVER ***

    INTERMEDIATE (WHITEWATER)

    For paddlers who did the Totogatic River on April 26, this is a chance to paddle a second river with a small amount of driving involved. All paddlers are welcome without having done the Totogatic on Saturday. The put in is at the Hayward DNR Ranger Station and the takeout at Groat Landing, making an 11 mile trip with many islands and rapids. Four miles downstream from Hayward we will pass the Court Oreilles portage to the Chippewa River, which helped make river highways of the Namekagon, St Croix, and Chippewa, for Native Americans.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: MARK NELSON

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  • May 3 *** UPPER MINNEHAHA CREEK ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    We will paddle from the Minnetonka Civic Center to Browndale Dam/Utley Park at 50th Street. This section has some fun small rapids, a low bridge under Highway 169, and also goes through some residential areas. Paddlers must have experience paddling moving water.

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

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  • May 10 *** 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 24 *** 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 26 - ZUMBRO RIVER (Zumbro Falls to Millville)

    Beginner

    The Zumbro is a scenic river with an active current and easy Class I rapids This popular trip will take us from Zumbro Falls to Millville. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of the occasional bluff and other natural scenery. This is a great trip, just 70 miles south of the cities.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: JOHN AND KANDY OLSON

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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 14 - 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 21 *** MIDDLE ST. CROIX RIVER (NORWAY POINT TO HWY 70) ***

    INTERMEDIATE

    Embark on an exhilarating 14 mile paddle beginning at Norway Point Landing in Wisconsin. Discover the natural beauty of the St. Croix River as you navigate its vibrant waters, encounter local wildlife, discover future camping spots, or even jump in for a swim. Also, on this stretch of the river you get the thrills of Class I and potential Class II rapids which are fed by the Snake and Kettle Rivers. We will take a break with a short hike to the historic remnants of an abandoned paint mill. This journey promises excitement and unforgettable memories. Grab your gear and explore this captivating stretch of the river with us.

    FMI and trip packet contact the trip coordinator: NICK LINDMAN

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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 12-13 - 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 26 - UPPER ROOT RIVER (Parsley Landing)

    Beginner

    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: JOHN AND KANDY OLSON

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  • August 2 - 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 23 - 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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  • August 30 *** 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 6 - 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 & Paul Tuckner)

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  • September 13 - *** 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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  • October 4- 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 11- *** 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

Click name to send email

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