One of the most classic spots to kayak is the Chain of Lakes. What makes this spot so spectacular is there are three lakes (Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake) that connect to one another. Along the route are views of downtown Minneapolis, islands, old bridges and a cool canal that links Cedar Lake to Lake of the Isles. This location is also a great option for beginners and those without kayaks, because you can rent from Wheel Fun Rentals on the Northeast corner of Bde Maka Ska.

Scenic is an understatement when describing how beautiful the views of the Taylors Falls area are when kayaking. The St. Croix River runs between foliage-covered rocky cliffs, which makes it spectacular in both summer and fall. Since it’s easier to kayak in one direction on a river, a great option is to rent your watercraft from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental and flow with the river downstream to Osceola Landing (7 miles) or William O’Brien State Park (17 miles), then take their shuttle back to your car. 

For a truly exhilarating kayak experience, try whitewater kayaking on the St. Louis River. If you haven’t gone before, start with an introductory course with Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton – just 15 minutes from Duluth. If water levels are too low (which can result in unsafe whitewater kayaking conditions), Swiftwater Adventures also offers the option of whitewater rafting, which is fun for the whole family.

In southern Minnesota, kayaking on the Blue Earth River is a fun adventure. Bent River Outfitter offers guided kayak tours that go through a series of small rapids (suitable even for beginners) and near waterfalls. If you’d rather paddle without a tour, you can also rent kayaks and use the company's shuttle service. 

At the headwaters of the Mississippi River is Lake Itasca. This glacial lake is a scenic spot to spend an afternoon kayaking, and rentals are available from Itasca Sports in Itasca State Park. 

Whether you’re looking for a city route or a nature route, the Mississippi River has multiple scenic options. Paddle Share makes it easy to reserve a kayak rental and pick it up from a locker with a provided code for the trip. Just leave a car where you plan to finish, or plan some other way to get back once the kayaking journey is over.