Mississippi River Weekend Tour
May 9-10, 2027
Back by popular demand! Are you a modern Mark Twain? If so, come with us to Northeast Iowa and experience the Mississippi River from your kayak. The river offers breathtaking beauty and numerous chances of viewing wildlife. Let our experienced guides assist in basic river paddling techniques, river navigation through a Lock and Dam, and vehicle shuttling. Come experience the Mississippi River in a short weekend getaway.
Itinerary
Guide: Shireen Cave and Jeremy Snow
Friday Night: Meet at campground and set up camp. Guides will review the weekend itinerary and address any weather/water level related changes. Sit back and relax around a campfire and get rested up to paddle!​
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Saturday: Guides will help arrange shuttle and gear to Marquette where will will begin our paddle under the Hwy 18 bridge. We'll have a safety discussion regarding paddling in the channel with barges and how to 'read' the river markers. We'll paddle over to the Wisconsin side and go through Wyalusing Sloughs and along side the sate park. Experience lots of wildlife and back water paddling. A lunch spot will be found on a river sandbar/bank. We will also paddle through Stateline Slough and through the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. We will end our day just north of Guttenberg and have paddled down river approximately 17 miles.
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Sunday: We will put in at Bussey Lake north of Guttenberg and prepare to paddle through Lock and Dam 10. Depending on barge and river traffic this can be quick and sometimes it can take an hour+. There are safe zones we can rest in if the wait will be long. Once through the Lock and Dam we will paddle through Swift Sough and Cassville Slough. We will take out at the Cassville Ferry Crossing for a total of 9 miles on the river. Adjustments will can be made to the take out based on the wait at the Lock and Dam.
Registration Deadline:
April 1, 2026
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Length:
2 days and 2 nights
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Group Size: 3 –8*
* Trip will not take place unless we reach the minimum number of paid participants.
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Experience Level
You will need to complete Kayaking Fundamentals I or an equivalent course or have an ACA L1 Skills Assessment Card.
What To Bring
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the starting point. Bring your kayak, paddle, PFD, sprayskirt, safety gear, all food, camping gear, and personal items. We’ll provide a list of necessary gear in our confirmation e-mail. Be sure to have appropriate clothing for the expected air and water temperatures.
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Price:
$214
Trip Includes:
2 nights of lodging in county parks, guidance on the water, navigating through Lock and Dam, skills coaching, and assistance with getting boats/gear to different locations
Equipment Rental
* Paddling gear and select camping items can be rented for additional charge. Please inquire!