Register HERE!

Paddle the 4th annual Mississippi River 12 Canoe and Kayak Race and Tour (aka the “MR 12”)! The MR 12 is a 12-mile paddling event in the state of Minnesota with both competitive race divisions and a non-competitive tour division. Beginning at noon on Sunday, June 15th, 2025, paddlers (paddling solo, tandem or in teams) have until 5pm to make it to Mississippi Point Park in Champlin. Participants can use canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or any kind of self-powered boat. To rent a canoe or kayak, contact our friends at Clearwaters Outfitting. They’ll even pick it up at the finish line! The event starts at the Babcock Park Boat Access in Elk River and ends in Champlin.

Join us at the Minnesota Paddling Expo from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The Expo is open to everyone whether they paddled or not. There will be exhibitors from paddling businesses and river-related non-profits. You can cheer on hundreds of boats arriving at the finish line. There will be carnival games and food at the adjacent Champlin’s Father Hennepin Festival.

All participants who register by May 21st will receive an event T-shirt. All finishers will receive a finisher medal. Top three finishers in each division receive a trophy.

The competitive race divisions include: solo (men/women), tandem (men/women/mixed), SUP (men/women), and Team (for more details on divisions see the Event Rules page). The tour division is for anyone who wants to take their time and have a relaxing trip.

2025 MR 12 Race & Tour fee (per person):

A fee of 2.9% plus $1.30 will be added to all transactions (covers credit card processing and registration fee)

$65 if you register by April 15th at 11:59pm. (you will be guaranteed to get the official race t-shirt)

$80 if you register after April 15th and before May 21st at 11:59pm (you will be guaranteed to get the official race t-shirt)

$110 if you register after May 21st and before June 11th at 11:59pm (you will NOT get an official race t-shirt)

Refund Policy: Full refunds available for cancellations up until April 15th at 11:59pm. No refunds after April 15th for any reason.

The entire route is part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) “Mississippi Water Trail.” The DNR has excellent river maps made for paddlers that show all ramps, campsites, bridges and other waypoints. The route can be found on Mississippi River map 9 at this link: DNR map and a custom Google map makes it easy to get directions to the event start or finish: MR 12 map. The entire route is within the 72 mile Mississippi National River and Recreation area administered by the national park service.

All participants must check in with their boat and required safety gear some time between 9:15am and 11am. If you are taking the shuttle you must check-in between 9:15am and 9:45am so you can leave at 9:45am to drive to Mississippi Crossings in Champlin to catch the shuttle. All participants must attend the entire pre-race meeting at 11:15am at Babcock park on the east side of the river in Elk River, MN.

When you register for the event you can also sign up for a shuttle service that will bring paddlers from Mississippi Crossings (adjacent to the finish line) to the start (for more details see the Paddler’s Guide). All participants are required to read the Event Rules and the Paddler’s Guide.

Experience a grand adventure on America’s most famous river! Join us for the inaugural Mississippi River 10 Canoe and Kayak Race and Tour. Please like and follow our Facebook page for the latest updates.

Register HERE.

Watch a segment on the TV show “Minnesota Bound” about the Paddle Opener.

Watch a recorded Zoom virtual info session about the MR 12 and the other events; here.