Have you ever wanted to try kayaking but didn't know where to begin? Do you want to get out on the water but don't have your own kayak? You're in luck! Missouri State Parks is offering to teach you how to paddle and have a safe and enjoyable time on the water.
This summer, staff will be offering kayaking instruction at select Missouri state parks. This will be a great opportunity to try something new and experience some of Missouri's lakes. Note: Learn2 Paddle is a beginner-level course. Experienced paddlers are encouraged to try our Learn2 Paddle River course.
Learn2 Paddle is open to ages 12 and up. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and costs $5 per person.
Program Details
Missouri State Parks Provides:
- Kayaks
- Paddles
- Life jackets
- Instructors
You Provide:
- A good attitude and willingness to learn
- Appropriate swimwear and footwear
Things to Consider Before You Register
- Missouri State Parks believes that the safest option is for you to bring your own life jacket for this program; however, life jackets will be provided for those who need to borrow one.
- Please wear appropriate swimwear and footwear, as you may get wet. We recommend closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting wet and that have a back (e.g., old tennis shoes or water shoes).
- Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Children ages 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the entire program.
- Participants should be comfortable around water.
- This event will be held in a Missouri state park, and all rules and regulations apply.
- Learn2 Paddle is a family-oriented event. Alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited.
2025 Upcoming Dates and Locations
Missouri State Parks reserves the right to cancel programs and events if necessary.
| Date | Location | Time | Registration Opens | Registration Closes |
| May 10 | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | 1-3 p.m. | Mar 27 | Apr 29 |
| Jun 14 | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | 10 a.m. to noon | May 1 | Jun 3 |
| Jun 21 | St. Joe State Park, Park Hills | 10 a.m. to noon | May 8 | Jun 10 |
| Jun 21 | St. Joe State Park, Park Hills | 1-3 p.m. | May 8 | Jun 10 |
| Jul 10 | Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson | 10 a.m. to noon | May 29 | Jul 1 |
| Jul 10 | Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson | 1-3 p.m. | May 29 | Jul 1 |
| Jul 12 | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | 10 a.m. to noon | May 29 | Jul 1 |
| Jul 12 | Wakonda State Park, La Grange | 10 a.m. to noon | May 29 | Jul 1 |
| Jul 19 | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | 9-11 a.m. | Jun 5 | Jul 8 |
| Jul 22 | Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson | 10 a.m. to noon | Jun 12 | Jul 15 |
| Jul 22 | Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson | 1-3 p.m. | Jun 12 | Jul 15 |
| Aug 9 | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | 10 a.m. to noon | Jun 16 | Jul 29 |
| Aug 9 | Wakonda State Park, La Grange – Glow Paddle | 8-10 p.m. | Jun 16 | Jul 29 |
| Aug 22 | Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville | 6-8 p.m. | Jul 10 | Aug 12 |
| Aug 23 | Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville | 10 a.m. to noon | Jul 10 | Aug 12 |
Registration
Registration is required for Learn2 Paddle, and there is a fee of $5 per participant.
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 email 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 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. If a Learn2 Paddle event is canceled, customers will be refunded in full to the original form of payment within seven business days of the cancellation notice.
