Do you own a kayak and want to increase your paddling skills? Have you wanted to learn how to safely paddle down the river? You're in luck! Missouri State Parks' Learn2 Paddle River program can help you learn more about kayaking on the river.
This program is free and open to experienced paddlers ages 12 and up. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
This program will include:
Ground School:
- In-depth discussion on river safety, plans, equipment and paddling techniques
Water School:
- River paddling skills including ferries, eddy turns and low braces
- Reading the river and river rescues
Things to consider before you register
- Participants must:
- Be able to provide a personal kayak, a paddle and a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Have previous kayak paddling experience. (If you don't have kayaking experience, be sure to check out standard Learn2 Paddle course!)
- Be physically capable of getting in and out of the boat and moving the boat unassisted.
- Be comfortable and confident around water.
- Be able to swim.
- Be at least 12 years of age. Children ages 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- This event will be held in a Missouri state park, and all rules and regulations apply.
- Learn2 Paddle River is a family-oriented event. Alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited.
Equipment
- Participants must bring their own kayaks, life jackets, paddles, lunches, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses and wear appropriate attire for getting wet (e.g., swimwear and water shoes or old tennis shoes).
- Missouri State Parks will bring extra paddles and life jackets (in case anyone has an ill-fitting item or wants to try a different style).
- Missouri State Parks will attempt to have various kayaks for our instructors to show the variety of options.
- Please do not bring foldable or inflatable kayaks.
2025 Upcoming Dates and Locations
| Date | Location | Time | Registration Opens | Registration Closes |
| Jun 25 | Meramec State Park, Sullivan | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | May 15 | Jun 17 |
| Jul 13 | Current River State Park, Salem | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | May 29 | Jul 1 |
| Jul 24 | Current River State Park, Salem | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Jun 12 | Jul 15 |
| Aug 17 | Current River State Park, Salem | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Jul 10 | Aug 4 |
| Sep 21 | Current River State Park, Salem | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Aug 14 | Sep 8 |
Registration
Registration is required for Learn2 Paddle River, but there is no registration fee.
Click on the "REGISTER HERE" link below to register. When you get to the registration website, click on the green “Show sessions” box. A list of upcoming classes will pop up. Click on the green “Sign Up!” button to register for an event. All slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Here
If a class is full, please enroll using the waitlist function. If an opening in the class becomes available, you will be notified by the Learn2 staff via email or phone call.
If you have any questions, please send an email to Emma Elwood with Missouri State Parks at emma.elwood@dnr.mo.gov.
Waitlist
If the activity you are looking to join is full, please join our waitlist by signing up for that program on the registration tab. Once a cancellation has been approved, a staff member will contact the first waitlist individual via email to prompt them to secure their spot within a 48-hour period. No response within that 48-hour time period will result in the customer being removed from the waitlist and the next individual being contacted.
How to Cancel a Reservation
Seven or more business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Customers are able to cancel their reservations themselves and receive a full refund (when applicable). To cancel, the customer should log in to their icampmo account, find the reservations/activities that they are signed up for, and hit "Cancel" for the reservation that they wish to cancel.
Six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Anyone needing to cancel a reservation six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date should contact emma.elwood@dnr.mo.gov. Per Missouri State Parks' refund policy, customers canceling an event registration six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date agree to forfeit their reservation refund (when applicable), regardless of the circumstances.
Event Day Contact Information
To get more information about Learn2 Paddle River on the day of the event, please contact the appropriate park office. Each park's contact information can be found by clicking on the location name in the above table.
Event Cancellation Disclaimer
Missouri State Parks reserves the right to cancel programs and events if necessary.
