Focus Group tours

In summer 2022, our research team sponsored by Macalester College will host a series of focus groups so local participants can learn about the river and provide feedback about potential changes to the locks and dams. See below for more details about our sponsored bike, kayak, boat, and walking tours.

These will be designed and led in partnership with American Rivers, Friends of the Mississippi River, Mississippi Park Connection, the National Park Service, National Parks Conservation Association, and the St. Paul Public Library.

tour OPTIONS

Biking Tours (Age 18+):

Saturday, June 4th from 10-12 PM

Saturday, July 23rd from 10 AM-12 PM

Bike tours are co-hosted by the National Park Service. Participants will bike along the Mississippi River and should be comfortable biking up to 10 miles (over 2 hours) on relatively flat, paved terrain.

A picnic lunch will be provided at the end. Each bike tour will be limited to 20 people.

Please bring your own bike. Helmets are required. Tours begin at Upper St. Anthony Falls Visitors Center.

Photo Taken by: Nili Barnoon

Kayaking Tours (Age 18+):

Friday, June 17th from 2-6 PM

Friday, June 24th from 2-6 PM

Kayak tours are co-hosted by Mississippi Park Connection and Paddle Bridge. We will depart and arrive at Hidden Falls Regional Park along the Mississippi River. Groups will be shuttled to Bohemian Flats where we will enter the water. Kayaks will travel through Lock and Dam 1 (Ford Dam). Participants on kayaking tours should be comfortable kayaking 5 miles (approximately 3 hours) in calm river conditions.

A picnic dinner will be provided at the end. Each of these kayak tours is limited to 12 participants.

Kayaks provided. Tours begin at Hidden Falls.

Photo Taken by: Colleen O'Conner Toberman

Boat Tour (Age 18+):

Wednesday, June 22nd from 4-6 PM

Boat tours will be on the Magnolia Blossom from the Watergate Marina. The Magnolia Blossom will travel through Lock and Dam 1 (Ford Dam).

Refreshments will be provided during the tour. This boat tour is limited to 50 participants.

This boat is wheelchair accessible. Tour begins at the Watergate Marina.


Photo Taken by: David Wheaton

Walking Tours (All ages):

Saturday, June 18th from 10-11:30 AM

Saturday, July 16th from 10-11:30 AM

Wednesday, July 20th from 7-8:30 PM

Tuesday, July 26th from 7-8:30 PM

Wednesday, August 3rd from 7-8:30 PM

The walking tours are co-hosted by Friends of the Mississippi River and the Saint Paul Public Library. Participants on these tours will walk from the Wabun Picnic area to the Lock and Dam Visitors Center. People on these tours should be comfortable walking 2 miles (up to 1 hour) on relatively flat, paved terrain.

Refreshments will be provided during these tours. Each walking tour is limited to 20 participants.

Tours begin at the Wabun Picnic Area.

Photo Taken by: Amber Wiedenhoeft

How to join a tour

  • Fill out the form linked below to join a tour. As tours fill, we will try to add more dates.

  • The form will ask you to select the tour type(s) and date(s) you want to participate in and to share some information about yourself to help us select a diverse group of participants.

  • Feel free to select up to three tours. Each individual will only be chosen for one tour. Please complete one form per individual. Only walking tours may be able to accommodate extra family/friends along with the applicant.

  • We will notify you by email with an invitation to join a tour group within two weeks of the event. Our email will include more details about where to arrive and what to bring along with you.

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