MR 12 Float
Relaxed and untimed.
$55 per person
Elk River to Anoka—12 river miles
Sunday June 13th, 2027 at noon
Shuttle service available
Details below
All participants receive a t-shirt and all finishers get a medal.
All participants receive a t-shirt, all finishers get a medal, and the top 3 finishers in each division get a trophy.
MR 12 Overview
Registration will open in late 2026 or early 2027.
A scenic paddle on the Upper Mississippi—perfect for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike.
MR 12 Float: Relaxed and untimed. $55 per person
MR 12 Tour: Untimed, with t-shirt and finisher medal included. $65 per person.
MR 12 Race: Timed and competitive, with t-shirt, finisher medal and trophies for the top 3 finishers in each division. $75 per person.
All prices go up $15 on April 15th and again on May 16th.
Full refunds available through April 15 at 11:59 PM
No refunds after April 15 for any reason
The Mississippi River 12 Canoe & Kayak Race & Tour (MR 12) is a 12-mile paddling event from Elk River to Anoka, Minnesota, offering competitive race divisions and a non-competitive recreational tour.
The event begins at 12:00 PM on Sunday, June 13, 2027, at Babcock Park Boat Access in Elk River. Participants have until 5:00 PM to reach the finish at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.
Solo paddlers, tandems, and teams are welcome. Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and all human-powered boats are allowed.
Why People Love the MR 12
A fun, achievable distance for newer paddlers
A relaxed but spirited race atmosphere
Scenic paddling past wooded banks, islands, and river bluffs
A well-mapped course on the Minnesota DNR’s Mississippi Water Trail
Divisions & Event Format
Race divisions: Solo (men/women), Tandem (men/women/mixed), SUP, Team
Recreational tour division: Focus on completing the course within the time limit rather than racing
Key Times & Logistics
Boats can be dropped off starting at 9am
Check-in: starts at 10:45 AM on Sunday, June 13th, 2027
Mandatory pre-event meeting: 11:15 AM
Tour & Race start: 12:00 PM
Finish Deadline: 5:00 PM
Location: Babcock Park Boat Access (east side of river, Elk River)
Optional shuttle service is available from Peninsula Point Park in Anoka. See the Paddler’s Guide for details.
Need a boat? Clearwaters Outfitting offers canoe and kayak rentals—and will pick them up at the finish.
Post Paddle Party
Celebrate your finish at the Post Paddle Party, held 12:00–5:00 PM at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.
Open to everyone, whether you paddled or not:
Live music!
River-related nonprofits and paddling exhibitors
Front-row views of paddlers finishing the MR 12 and other events
Registration & Fees (per person)
A 2.9% + $1.30 transaction fee applies to all registrations.
$70.00 – through April 15
$85.00 – April 16–May 21
$115 – May 22–June 11th at 6pm (must register by June 11th at 6pm)
Awards & Gear
All who register by May 21 receive an official event T-shirt
All finishers earn a finisher medal
Top 3 finishers in each division receive trophies
Refund Policy
Full refunds available through April 15 at 11:59 PM
No refunds after April 15 for any reason
Before You Paddle
All participants are required to read:
Additional resources:
MR 12 Float
Relaxed and untimed.
$55 per person
All participants receive a t-shirt and all finishers get a medal.
All participants receive a t-shirt, all finishers get a medal, and the top 3 finishers in each division get a trophy.
MR 12 Overview
Registration will open in late 2026 or early 2027.
A scenic paddle on the Upper Mississippi—perfect for beginners and seasoned paddlers alike.
MR 12 Float: Relaxed and untimed. $55 per person
MR 12 Tour: Untimed, with t-shirt and finisher medal included. $65 per person.
MR 12 Race: Timed and competitive, with t-shirt, finisher medal and trophies for the top 3 finishers in each division. $75 per person.
All prices go up $15 on April 15th and again on May 16th.
Full refunds available through April 15 at 11:59 PM
No refunds after April 15 for any reason
The Mississippi River 12 Canoe & Kayak Race & Tour (MR 12) is a 12-mile paddling event from Elk River to Anoka, Minnesota, offering competitive race divisions and a non-competitive recreational tour.
The event begins at 12:00 PM on Sunday, June 13, 2027, at Babcock Park Boat Access in Elk River. Participants have until 5:00 PM to reach the finish at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.
Solo paddlers, tandems, and teams are welcome. Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and all human-powered boats are allowed.
Why People Love the MR 12
A fun, achievable distance for newer paddlers
A relaxed but spirited race atmosphere
Scenic paddling past wooded banks, islands, and river bluffs
A well-mapped course on the Minnesota DNR’s Mississippi Water Trail
Divisions & Event Format
Race divisions: Solo (men/women), Tandem (men/women/mixed), SUP, Team
Recreational tour division: Focus on completing the course within the time limit rather than racing
Key Times & Logistics
Boats can be dropped off starting at 9am
Check-in: starts at 10:45 AM on Sunday, June 13th, 2027
Mandatory pre-event meeting: 11:15 AM
Tour & Race start: 12:00 PM
Finish Deadline: 5:00 PM
Location: Babcock Park Boat Access (east side of river, Elk River)
Optional shuttle service is available from Peninsula Point Park in Anoka. See the Paddler’s Guide for details.
Need a boat? Clearwaters Outfitting offers canoe and kayak rentals—and will pick them up at the finish.
Post Paddle Party
Celebrate your finish at the Post Paddle Party, held 12:00–5:00 PM at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.
Open to everyone, whether you paddled or not:
Live music!
River-related nonprofits and paddling exhibitors
Front-row views of paddlers finishing the MR 12 and other events
Registration & Fees (per person)
A 2.9% + $1.30 transaction fee applies to all registrations.
$70.00 – through April 15
$85.00 – April 16–May 21
$115 – May 22–June 11th at 6pm (must register by June 11th at 6pm)
Awards & Gear
All who register by May 21 receive an official event T-shirt
All finishers earn a finisher medal
Top 3 finishers in each division receive trophies
Refund Policy
Full refunds available through April 15 at 11:59 PM
No refunds after April 15 for any reason
Before You Paddle
All participants are required to read:
Additional resources: