Best Rafting in Minnesota

Trying to find the best rafting in Minnesota? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Wisconsin, Polk County

07 :02 hrs
16.7 mi
26.555069 ft
I

This river is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and is one of the original eight rivers to be protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and has consequently been preserved in a wonderfully wild state. This last section is arguably the most enjoyable of all. It has magnificent dells carved by the meltwater of the last glacier, cliff, potholes, stony bluffs, islands and other gorgeous scenery. There are no rapids, only occasional small riffles break up the otherwise quietwater.

2

Minnesota, Clearwater County

06 :29 hrs
15.5 mi
26.695465 ft
II

The Mississippi River was called the Father of Waters by Native Americans, and this paddling adventure begins at the mighty Mississippi's headwaters. You will pass wild rice beds, rocky outcrops, past cattails, over a logging dam, past high wooded banks and sedge meadows. There are a variety of bird species on this trip; the Mississippi Headwaters Flyway is the home and migratory stop to a several bird species. Wildlife that may be seen along the way include Deer, beavers, and otters, all of which are often seen in the marshlands; timber wolf are sometimes seen as well. Be apprised that most people camp one or two nights on this trip, so if time affords plan for a two or three day weekend adventure.

3

Wisconsin, Iron County

01 :19 hrs
3.5 mi
59.765945 ft
II

The Montreal River is spectacular and it runs through breathtaking canyons, awesome waterfalls, and stunning scenery of high cliffs and rock outcroppings. A steel staircase descends the steep bluff to the put-in just downstream of Saxon Falls, with a total drop of 78-feet. As canyon walls appear on the right you will encounter the first of many Class II drops. Whenever you see a cliff face ahead you can expect rapids, usually in the form of an irregular ledge. Cedar, birch, maple, pine, spruce, and hemlock abound on the cliff tops and on lower banks. Take out upstream of Superior Falls and the dam on Highway 122.

4

Wisconsin, Columbia County

05 :30 hrs
12.9 mi
6.5088806 ft
I

The Wisconsin River starts as a small stream near the Michigan border and flows south, then west for 430 miles before joining the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien. Many other smaller rivers and creeks join it along the way and make it a major American River. With 26 hydropower dams along its course it is called “The hardest working river in America.” This section is loaded with sandbars and islands. You will pass the historic city of Portage, beautiful scenery in a wild setting, and have many opportunities to spot wildlife.

5

Minnesota, Saint Louis County

04 :31 hrs
10.7 mi
9.2317505 ft
II

This Cloquet River paddling adventure offers an excellent wilderness trip down a highly touted Class II river. The class II rapids along this section of the river have been given the name Camp G. Rapids; portage is a viable option for any who wish to avoid these rapids. Be apprised that there are camping options along the way for those who have the time to make this a two day adventure; Cedar Bay Campground is located at the endpoint of the adventure.

6

Wisconsin, Burnett County

03 :53 hrs
9.1 mi
5.9891357 ft
I

This river is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and is one of the original eight rivers to be protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and has consequently been preserved in a wonderfully wild state. This section runs near lots of roads and passes some cabins along the banks. The wooded shoreline is often interrupted by beautiful stone formations and a number of riverside campsites. The water is mostly flat broken up by only a few gentle riffles.

7

Minnesota, Saint Louis County

02 :18 hrs
5.5 mi
11.925964 ft
III

The Vermilion River flows over forty miles north from Lake Vermilion to Crane Lake. The river normally offers quiet stretches with little current but this section of the river presents a Class I, Class II and one Class III rapid, Shively Falls & Rapids. This section of the river runs through Kabetogama State Forest, which offers some wonderful wilderness views. Also, make sure to visit Vermilion Falls while you are near, at the beginning of this adventure. Be apprised the rapids are easily portaged.

8

Wisconsin, Burnett County

07 :02 hrs
16.6 mi
13.215286 ft
I

This river is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and is one of the original eight rivers to be protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and has consequently been preserved in a wonderfully wild state. This section is very enjoyable and beautiful as it passes through scenery that changes from woods and grass to sand and clay banks as well as passing one of the biggest logging dams ever built. Eight regularly spaces piles of rock in the river once served to impede and break up massive ice floes so that they wouldn’t crush the dam. Downstream, four piles of rock mark the site of the old Nevers Dam, a huge structure built in 1890 to help regulate the flow of logs and to prevent logjams.

9

Wisconsin, Sawyer County

04 :42 hrs
11.1 mi
24.76648 ft
III

This section of the Flambeau River is the most exciting in terms of whitewater. Like the rest of the river, this portion offers beautiful scenery, many campsites, good fishing, and wildlife; but the resemblance ends there. Rapids begin only a couple miles after the put-in and it alternates between quietwater and rapids all the way to the end. First is Wannigan Rapids (Class II) that are wavy and rocky, later is Flambeau Falls (Class II) which carves around Dode’s Island and requires some maneuvering around rocks. Next is Cedar Rapids (Class II) which runs between the island and the left bank, over a ledge that has several chutes, and last is Beaver Dam Rapids (Class III), the biggest drop on the North Fork, with a sheer drop of 4 feet. Take out shortly after the rapids at Beaver Dam Landing on the right.

10

Wisconsin, Burnett County

06 :03 hrs
14.4 mi
21.306412 ft
II

This river is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and is one of the original eight rivers to be protected under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and has consequently been preserved in a wonderfully wild state. This section offers peaceful, scenic quietwater as well as some exciting riffles and rapids. High water and wind can create difficult and dangerous conditions. There are several bursts of Class I-II rapids throughout this whole stretch, separated by easy quietwater paddling.

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