Skip to content
branch outdoorsAll of the Midwest and Great Lakes
+ postsign in

Paddling: guides, shops and venues

Guide services, gear shops and venues in the Midwest and Great Lakes, A to Z. Listed from their public websites; they don't pay to be here and are never mixed into the communities.

All of the Midwest and Great Lakes · just Duluth and the North Shore · all regions · change

  • Broken Paddle Guiding Companyguide service · Kayaking · Winona, MN

    Winona guide service leading daily guided kayak paddles on the Mississippi backwaters.

  • City of Winona Parks & Recreationvenue · Kayaking · Winona, MN

    City department running Lake Lodge, with canoe, kayak, paddleboard, snowshoe and bike rentals and programs.

  • Ely Outfitting Companyguide service · Canoeing · Ely, MN

    Boundary Waters and Quetico canoe outfitter and guide service that also teaches backcountry travel skills.

  • Keweenaw Adventure Companyguide service · Kayaking · Copper Harbor, MI

    Copper Harbor guide and outfitter running guided Lake Superior sea kayak tours and mountain bike rentals and shuttles.

  • Namekagon River (St. Croix National Scenic Riverway)venue · Canoeing · Hayward, WI

    Site for the Namekagon River near Hayward, a paddling river in a national park unit with junior ranger and visitor programs.

  • Nuts Outdoorsguide service · Kayaking · Galena, IL

    Galena outfitter renting kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes with guided Mississippi backwater paddles.

  • OFF The Driftlessguide service · Kayaking · Decorah, IA

    Decorah-based kayak and canoe outfitter on the Upper Iowa River offering rentals, shuttles and adventure outings.

  • Piragis Northwoods Companyguide service · Canoeing · Ely, MN

    Ely outfitter and guide service running guided Boundary Waters and Quetico canoe trips, including group trips.

  • Starved Rock Kayakingguide service · Kayaking · Utica, IL

    Canoe and kayak rental and shuttle service for paddling near Starved Rock.

  • UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Programvenue · Kayaking · Duluth, MN

    University of Minnesota Duluth outdoor program offering paddling, sea kayaking and climbing trips and courses open to the community.

  • Urban Kayaksguide service · Kayaking · Chicago, IL

    Chicago River and lakefront kayak tours and rentals from the Riverwalk.

  • Wateridersguide service · Kayaking · Chicago, IL

    Guided Chicago River kayak tours and rentals.

  • Wilderness Inquiryguide service · Canoeing · Minneapolis, MN

    Minneapolis nonprofit running inclusive paddling, hiking and camping trips, including family and women-only trips.