12 Best Fall Color Paddles in the Twin Cities

Minnesotans love to get outside for the fall colors in September and October. And one of the best ways to see them in a way most people don’t, is from the water.

There’s something magical about gliding by gorgeous yellows, oranges and reds on a quiet morning in crisp fall air in a canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

Part of it is the “water therapy” we get when paddling. Part of it is the reflection of those beautiful fall colors on the water. And part of it is being able to listen to the surrounding birds, wind and other natural sounds.

Here’s our pick of 12 of the best paddle trips in the Twin Cities area if you want to catch some great fall color.

Don’t have your own boat? No worries. Some of these locations have rental companies nearby that we’ll link to.

First, though…

When is the Best Time for Fall Paddling?

Generally, late September through mid-October is prime time for colors in our area. But different trees peak at different times (for example, the maples peak before the oaks), and the timing and brilliancy of fall color varies from year-to-year.

In the best of all worlds, you’ll be able to get out frequently during the fall! Then you can experience the variety of nuance and timing for the colors.

To know when to expect peak color in each of these places, keep your eye on the DNR’s Fall Color Finder map. If you’re able to plan around its constantly-updated info for your paddle trips, you’re most likely to hit great color.

As with all paddle excursions around the Cities, your best bet for having quiet water and easy parking is to head out on a weekday if you can. If only weekends work for you, we suggest heading out as early in the morning as you can to beat the motor boat traffic and busy parking lots.

And don’t forget the importance of wearing a comfortable and properly-fitting PFD (life jacket). With our cooler autumn nights, the water is also getting colder, which means hypothermia is always possible if you end up taking an unintentional swim. Let’s be safe out there!

OK, here we go…

1. St. Croix River at Interstate State Park

If you only do one trip, paddling the St. Croix River at Interstate is our top suggestion. While it’s slightly outside the 7-county metro area we mostly focus on, it’s just so spectacular, anytime of year. Add the fall colors and it’s unbeatable, for several reasons:

• The dramatic palisades on both sides of the river
• The combination of fall color in the deciduous trees and the deep greens of the conifers
• A couple of different trip options (more on that below)
• Options for other activities abound here: some of the area’s best hiking, multiple coffee and/or eating options in Taylor’s Falls (Minnesota side) and St. Croix Falls (Wisconsin side), or picnic at the state park
• It’s easy to launch your own boat(s) or rent on-site from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental (they rent through the 2nd weekend of October)

Trip Option #1

If you prefer to park, launch and paddle back to your vehicle, this option is for you.

Once you launch at Interstate State Park, it’s about a mile upstream to the palisades and potholes area, and eventually the falls. Allow 30-40 minutes to get up there, longer if you like taking your time. It’ll be less time paddling back as the current will help you along.

There are another set of palisades a mile or two downriver from the Interstate launch if you’d like to see more, and have the time and energy. You can then paddle back upstream to the launch.

Trip Option #2

The water trail from Interstate State Park to the Osceola Landing is very popular all season long. While you’ll miss out on the cliffs up by Taylors Falls, you’ll still paddle along the ones downstream from the launch. It’s 7 miles and 3ish hours.

For this one, you have two choices:

• Rent a canoe or kayak from Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak (linked above). They provide shuttle service back to Interstate Park from Osceola Landing. More expensive, less hassle.
• Bring your own boat(s), drop one vehicle off at Osceola Landing then drive up to Interstate Park with the second vehicle. Paddle down, drive back up with the boats to retrieve the other vehicle. More hassle, less expensive.

NOTE: You’ll need a MN State Park vehicle permit (daily or annual) to enter the park.

2. St. Croix River at William O’Brien State Park

Paddling at William O’Brien (eastern Washington County) takes you on the same majestic St. Croix River—without the dramatic palisades, but also without the crowds. This stretch of the river offers some backwater paddling options (bring a map!), plenty of wooded shoreline for fall colors, and a more relaxed feel.

Again, your options are to bring your own boat(s) and launch there at the park, or you can rent from the park office. Rentals are available through October.

After your paddle, there are many miles of trails to hike at William O’Brien if you’re up for more adventure. Then head south a few miles to the riverside town of Marine on St. Croix for lunch, ice cream or chocolate.

NOTE: You’ll need a MN State Park vehicle permit (daily or annual) to enter the park.

3. St. Croix River at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park

We’ll suggest one more paddling spot on the St. Croix,, the area around St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park (southeastern Washington County). While I’ve not been there in the fall yet, my summer hike revealed LOTS of maple trees, so fall is sure to be spectacular.

You’ll have to have your own canoe, kayak or paddleboard for this one. There are no rentals available. There’s a nice launch, though, off the main river a bit. The bluffs aren’t as dramatic as the cliffs further north, but beautiful nonetheless and heavily wooded—which means plenty of fall color.

There are hiking trails here, too, as well as a beautiful campground. In fact, all three of these St. Croix River paddling spots have campgrounds, if you’d like to really relax and make it a day or two of paddling enjoyment. Be sure to book ahead though, these sites will fill quickly on the weekends.

This regional park is about halfway between Afton and Prescott/Hastings, so you have plenty of dining options after your paddle trip.

NOTE: You’ll need an annual vehicle permit from Washington or Anoka County to enter the park, or a daily permit from Washington County.

4. Cannon River at Lake Byllesby Regional Park/Miesville Ravine Regional Park

Like the St. Croix, the Cannon River is a Minnesota designated Wild & Scenic River. The stretch we’ll talk about here is on the southern edge of Dakota County. It includes the 300-foot bluffs just east of the town of Cannon Falls, as well as the town itself.

You have a couple of options for paddling this stretch of the Cannon:

• Bring your own boat(s) and launch at the Lake Byllesby boat launch where the Cannon leaves the lake and heads east. You’ll have to carry your stuff, then, over the 1,000-yard portage around the dam. Continue to paddle through Cannon Falls and downstream to the canoe landing at Miesville Ravine. You’ll need a vehicle at both ends to self-shuttle. You can see the map here—it’s about a 9.5-mile trip downriver.
• Rent a canoe or kayak from Cannon Falls Canoe & Bike Rental and launch from there. They’ll shuttle you back. This cuts off a couple miles of paddling. They only book through the last weekend of September, FYI. (NOTE: Their website says the business is for sale, so the link may or may not work in the future.)

There are campsites along the river as well, if you’d like to make it an overnighter for a little more adventure. There are tons of dining options in Cannon Falls. This area is also known for its bike trail system for another add-on adventure.

5. Rum River, from Rum River North County Park to Rum River Central Regional Park

This Anoka County gem is a popular floating river for many during the paddling season. It’s not dramatic like the St. Croix, but much more intimate. It’s a smaller river, so you’ll be gliding much closer to both shorelines, hence closer to the colorful leaves.

While there are private homes along some of this stretch, most are tucked back among the trees, so the feel while you paddle is natural and wooded.

Paddling this section of the Rum requires you to have your own boat(s). Put in at the canoe launch in Rum River North and head downstream to Rum River Central. You have the option of going 9.5 miles to the north launch there, or continuing around to a second launch further south for a total of about 13 miles.

You’ll need to self-shuttle you and your party. That’s well worth paddling this beautiful river, also one of our state’s Wild & Scenic Rivers.

NOTE: You’ll need an annual vehicle permit from Washington or Anoka County to enter Rum River Central, or a daily permit from Anoka County.

6. Minneapolis Chain of Lakes

For a completely different experience than our suggestions so far, consider paddling the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, just a few miles southwest from the heart of downtown.

To paddle the whole chain you can start at either Bde Maka Ska or Cedar Lake. (Rather than go into where the launches are here, I’ll direct you to this blog post for the details.) You’ll paddle Cedar, Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun). Or you could launch on Lake of the Isles and take Bde and Cedar one by one. You can include tiny Brownie Lake too, if you like, on the northwest end of Cedar Lake.

Lovely bridges, a beautiful channel, the downtown skyline, beaches to stop at if you want to swim, and the lively Bde Maka Ska culture are all part of this fun route. Take as much or as little time as you want to. Both Isles and Bde have paved trails around the lake’s perimeter if you’re up for a hike afterwards.

As everyone knows, parking in the city can be sketchy, so plan to head down early on a weekend morning for your best chance of parking near a launch. On weekdays, for sure it’s after morning rush hour or well before the afternoon’s.

7. Lebanon Hills Regional Park’s Chain of Lakes

For a chain with less city and more adventure, consider Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Seven of their 10 lakes are connected by portages, and there are a few options for launching. This would be great for families with kids (or anyone, for that matter) who want to experience a portaging canoe trip that’s close by.

This park is heavily wooded, including along the lake shores. So while I’ve not been there during the fall yet, it’s sure to be vibrant during peak season. An FYI for dry summers like 2026 has been: Low water may require you to slog through some mud at the portages. Be prepared with appropriate footwear!

The park’s rental season only goes through Labor Day weekend, so you’ll need your own boat(s) for fall paddling here.

8. Square Lake, Square Lake Regional Park

Square Lake Regional Park (Washington County) is all about the lake. And it should be—Square Lake has some of the best water clarity in Minnesota. Perfect for paddling.

With a heavily-wooded shoreline, it’s also great for fall colors. You’ll be able to see the best of both—fall leaves and water clarity—by hanging out near the shoreline as you make your way around the lake.

With lots of homes and the Regional Park with its boat launch, Square Lake experiences plenty of activity, especially on the weekends. Arrive as early as you can on Saturday or Sunday to avoid boat traffic and to get good parking, or plan to paddle this lake on a weekday.

There are no rentals at Square Lake. Bring your own boat(s).

NOTE: You’ll need an annual vehicle permit from Washington or Anoka County to enter the park, or a daily permit from Washington County.

9. Mississippi River Gorge, Minneapolis

The Mississippi River Gorge within the Minneapolis city limits is stunning in the fall. Absolutely stunning. The most popular paddling trip down this stretch is from the launch at Bohemian Flats Park (on the west side of the river). There’s a dedicated spot for non-motorized boats.

Another option is on the east side of the river, directly across from Bohemian Flats, next to the U of M boathouse. (If the university rowing team is at their docks or on the water practicing, please be courteous and stay out of their way.)

From one of these two launches, most paddlers exit just north of the Lake Street Bridge by the Minneapolis Rowing Club docks, on the west side of the river. It’s about 3 miles of high, wooded shoreline on either side, maybe an hour of paddling. (Please do NOT use the Rowing Club’s private docks. There are places you can pull out nearby.)

You can bring your own boats to do this and self-shuttle. Another option is to rent kayaks from the Paddle Share station at Bohemian Flats. You’ll still have to self-shuttle, but it’s a great option if you don’t have your own.

If you’d like a guided tour that includes the Gorge plus the added adventure of going through Lock and Dam No. 1, for a longer 3-hour paddle, consider booking a tour with Paddle Bridge. The tours include complete shuttle service. They’re offered in the Gorge on weekends in September and early October.

10. Como Lake at Como Regional Park

A great urban paddle on a non-motorized lake is Como Lake in Saint Paul, part of Como Regional Park. You can easily get around the shoreline in an hour or so, and most of it is wooded, so you’ll see plenty of fall colors in October.

You’ll need your own boat(s) for Como Lake, as Wheel Fun Rentals closes up shop about the third weekend of September. That’s a few weeks too early for peak season. However, you can still combine your paddle on the lake with breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Dock & Paddle restaurant there in the Como Pavillion. D&P is open year-round with a small but tasty menu.

Because it’s non-motorized, Como is really nice for a quiet paddle. So it doesn’t matter as much when you arrive, as you won’t be battling boat wake. Parking there by the Pavillion is the best place to put your boat(s) in and out, especially since fall color season is after most of their evening events, so parking isn’t likely to be too crowded.

11. Lake Rebecca at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

While bigger boats are welcome on Lake Rebecca, only electric motors are allowed, so it’s another great option for a quiet autumn paddle. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve is outside of Rockford, in northwestern Hennepin County.

Much bigger than Como Lake (70 acres) and slightly bigger than Square Lake (203 acres), Lake Rebecca offers 254 acres of water to canoe, kayak or paddleboard. The entire lake is within the Park Reserve, so it’s nothing but natural shoreline, plenty of trees, water birds and other local wildlife (and some people).

You’ll need your own boat at Lake Rebecca. No rentals are available. The park isn’t far from the town of Rockford, where you’ll find plenty of dining options.

NOTE: A boat/trailer pass (daily or annual) is required to park in one of the designated vehicle/trailer slots in the parking lot next to the boat launch.

12. Eagle Point Lake, Lake Elmo Park Reserve

We’ll suggest one more non-motorized lake for a fall paddling adventure—Eagle Point Lake in Lake Elmo Park Reserve (Washington County). What makes this different from the other three lakes on our list is that Eagle Point isn’t round. It has several “arms” to paddle through and explore, making for more shoreline. And all of it is natural and within park borders.

Bring your own boat(s) as there are no rentals available here. The canoe/kayak launch is on the east side of the lake, just off the park road, then it’s a bit of a carry down to the launch.

One caution about this lake: It’s 120 acres, so a nice amount to paddle. But its average depth is just three feet. In very dry summers like we’ve had in 2026, some of the lake—especially going into the arms—may be too low to get through by this late in the year.

NOTE: You’ll need an annual vehicle pass from Washington or Anoka County to enter the park, or a daily pass from Washington County.

Enjoy the End of Our Paddle Season

We hope this list has given you some great ideas for where to paddle during our wonderful fall season.

And even if you can’t get to one of these, getting out close to home is better than not getting out at all. We’re very blessed to get to experience the fall leaf colors throughout the Twin Cities, as well as have plenty of water for paddling.

Enjoy it!

Here’s more…

• State Water Trails in the Twin Cities
• Gear Review: Waterproof Phone Cases
• 7 Super Local Trails along the St. Croix River