# Feasibility of kayaking down the Missippi River **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 22, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802 "2001-11-22T20:21:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Miss\_Gretchen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Miss\_Gretchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Gretchen)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/21 "2001-11-23T19:41:08Z")
Thanks for the help. I’ve never even been to that whole middle section of the US, I’m not even sure what it looks like. I thought that this might be a good way, but after thinking a bit about the insane amount of time it would take, well, maybe this is not the best idea for a few weeks off. I’d still like to do a trip in a kayak, though (River or sea, I’m not fussy)Any suggestions? Anyone want to come? Maybe: - The Gulf / San Juan Islands in BC/WA? - The Columbia River? - Hi, Opal! - Anywhere in your part of the world that would make a good paddling trip? I just took this up this past summer and I am very keen to keep it up. ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/22 "2001-11-23T21:34:47Z")
The Russian River.From Asti to Healdsburg.Twentytwo miles,through the heart of California’s wine country.Ive done it with some buddies,and it was fun.It is a good choice for a beginner IMHO.We went slow and enjoyed the sights.Took us two days.I’d love to do it again. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/23 "2001-11-23T21:44:46Z")
> [@](#): > > Do people actually go through the locks in canoes? Yup. I’m considering trying the Erie Canal in fall of next year. Ain’t the Mississippi River, but still it is more than 350 miles. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/24 "2001-11-24T01:37:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miss Gretchen \* > **- Anywhere in your part of the world that would make a good paddling trip?** [How about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area](http://www.bwca.cc/)in northern Minnesota? ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/25 "2001-11-24T02:51:42Z")
Damn Sorry Gretch Didn’t mean to scare you off. I’ll second the boundry waters if you want wilderness and wildlife and fishing and camping and all that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![dead0man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dead0man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dead0man)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/26 "2001-11-24T11:46:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rastahomie \* > \*\*Hey any of you who have ever crossed the I-270 bridge from Illinois into Missouri, north of St. Louis, may have noticed what appears to be rapids a dozen or so yards downstream of the bridge. What’s **that** all about? Isn’t the river several dozen feet deep at this point? Do boats & such have to do some sort of treacherous navigation to avoid getting scraped up (or worse) on the rocks? Is it just some weird trick-of-the-eye? What’s the scoop? > \*\* [http://streamteach.org/chainrocks.html](http://streamteach.org/chainrocks.html) Now IIRC, the “chain of rocks” was put in by the Corps of engineirs to try and stop the formation of whirpools and other river phenomenon between that part of the river and St.Louis(several miles south). I found that it was there 1895 but I could find no more history on it. I want to say it’s pre-civil war, but I could be wrong there. There is a canal that runs just east of this part of the river for water traffic. The island this creates is the home of a large landfill. There is a couple of odd little buildings that you can see from the bridge (the “Chain of Rocks Bridge” of all things) that are right out in the middle of the water. Lighthouse type things I’m assuming. The bridge you see in between the bridge your on and the chain of rocks is the old Route 66 bridge. Its now a scenic bike trail. dead0man ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2001, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802/27 "2001-11-24T12:31:27Z")
Try taking your question to the Paddlewise mailing list. It is a list for people who tour about in kayaks. Here is the address which provides subscription information: [http://www.paddlewise.net/](http://www.paddlewise.net/) If you are in Ontario, I might be able to tag you up with some paddlers, depending on your region. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feasibility-of-kayaking-down-the-missippi-river/94802.md?page=1)