The river at a glance
The Mississippi River begins at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and flows roughly 2,300 miles to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. Published length figures differ slightly depending on the source and how the river is measured, so treat any single number as approximate. Along the way it forms or crosses the borders of ten states, and it changes character more than almost any other river you could choose for a long trip.
Paddlers describe it as three or four different rivers in one: a small, winding wilderness stream at the top, a chain of wide pools behind locks and dams in the middle, and a big, fast, industrial river below St. Louis. Each part asks for different skills and a different mindset, which is why it helps to plan the river in sections rather than as one block.
This guide is meant for planning. Conditions, regulations, and services change, so confirm details with the current river maps, local outfitters, and the agencies that manage each stretch before you go.
Four sections of the river
Experienced trip reports usually break the river into the following parts.
1. Headwaters to Minneapolis. From Lake Itasca the river is narrow and shallow at first, with bends, lakes, and several portages. Many paddlers describe this as the clearest and most scenic part of the trip. In low water you may need to wade and walk the boat in places.
2. The lock-and-dam stretch, Minneapolis to near St. Louis. Here the river is held in a series of long pools by locks and dams. The water is generally slow and wide. Wind, rather than current, often decides how far you get in a day. Many dams must be portaged or locked through (see the lock section below). The Upper Mississippi is also the most developed part for recreation, with campsites, small river towns, and day-trip routes.
3. St. Louis to the Atchafalaya cutoff. Below the last lock the river is free flowing, wide, and faster. It carries heavy barge traffic, and landing spots can be steep mud or rock banks with few facilities.
4. The final miles to the Gulf. Paddlers have two broad choices: stay on the main Mississippi through Baton Rouge and New Orleans, or exit onto the Atchafalaya River. Several trip reports recommend the Atchafalaya because it avoids some of the heaviest shipping traffic, though you should research that route’s own conditions before committing.
How long does it take to kayak the entire Mississippi River?
There is no single answer. Source-to-Gulf trips are commonly described as taking about two to three months. Trip reports vary, with daily distances typically shorter on the slow upper river and longer on the faster lower river. Wind, water levels, rest days, weather delays, and your fitness all change that.
If you are asking whether you can float the entire river, the answer is yes, people complete it every year, but most who try it are experienced and carefully prepared. It is a major expedition, not a casual vacation.
How long does it take to kayak 20 miles?
A typical recreational paddler covers around 2 to 3 miles per hour on flat water, so 20 miles is often a long day of roughly 7 to 10 hours including breaks. On a river with a current of a few miles per hour, such as the lower Mississippi, the same distance can take far less. Headwinds can cut your speed sharply on the wide pools. Plan on a shorter first day, and allow extra time if you are paddling against wind or are carrying camping gear.
Best time of year
The paddling season generally runs from spring, once the ice is gone in Minnesota, into autumn, before the northern stretch gets too cold. Many source-to-Gulf paddlers start in late summer to arrive in the hot, humid South in cooler months, though the upper river can be low and require more wading at that time. Spring starts offer higher water but colder temperatures and stronger flow. Mosquitoes can be intense in summer.
Whichever month you pick, check current river levels and forecasts. Cold water is a real hazard in spring and fall; see our notes on the Yukon trip in kayaking the Yukon River for a more extreme example of how cold water changes the safety picture.
Barges, towboats, and locks
Commercial traffic is the biggest difference between the Mississippi and most recreational rivers. Towboats push large groups of barges and cannot stop or turn quickly. They also create wakes and, sometimes, turbulence behind them.
Some practical points that paddlers commonly follow:
- Stay well outside the navigation channel when possible and cross it quickly and at right angles, only when you can see that no traffic is near.
- Never assume a towboat can see you. A kayak is very low and small.
- Keep clear of the area immediately below dams, where strong currents and undertows can form.
- At locks, contact the lockmaster as instructed (check the current guidance for your section) and be prepared to wait. Recreational boats may be asked to wait for commercial traffic. Some locks are not operated for paddlers in all conditions, and some paddlers portage around dams instead.
Treat lock procedures and radio channels as things to confirm with the local authorities and a current river guide. This is not something to learn from memory.
Choosing a kayak for a long river trip
For long distances, most trip reports favor a touring kayak or a canoe with good tracking and enough storage for gear and several days of food and water. Sea kayaks and touring sit-ons both appear in long-river trip accounts. Inflatable boats and short whitewater boats are generally a poor match for long flatwater stretches because they track badly and are slow. Whichever boat you select, consider a spray skirt or a deck that sheds waves from barge wakes, and confirm that you can reenter the boat or self-rescue in cold or choppy water.
Camping, resupply, and logistics
On the upper river, state-managed water trail campsites and parks are available in some areas, while farther south you may rely on sandbars, public landings, and the hospitality of river towns. Water, food, and ice resupply are generally easy in towns along the upper river, but can be spaced farther apart in some southern sections. Plan your resupply points in advance (our guide to planning a multi-day paddling trip covers food and camping logistics), and carry filtration or treatment for drinking water, since the river itself is not drinkable without treatment.
Think about shuttle and exit points as well, particularly if you are doing only one section.
Safety and preparation
- Wear a life jacket at all times, and pack from our kayaking gear checklist.
- Carry a VHF radio or a phone in a waterproof case, and consider a satellite messenger for remote stretches.
- Tell someone your route and expected check-in times.
- Watch for weather. Thunderstorms and strong winds come up fast on wide stretches, and wind speeds above about 15 mph can force many paddlers off the water.
- Be careful of wing dams, submerged obstacles, and strong eddies near bridge piers and river bends.
- Dress for water temperature as well as air temperature.
If you are new to river travel, build experience on smaller local rivers first. A trip like kayaking on the Chattahoochee River can teach how dam releases and cold water change a river, and a beginner section such as the Middle Yough in Youghiogheny River kayaking shows basic moving-water technique.
Shorter ways to paddle the Mississippi
You do not need to commit to the whole river. Options include:
- The Twin Cities area. A self-service paddle-share program has operated on parts of the river here, which is a low-commitment way to try it. Check the program’s current availability.
- Upper Mississippi water trail sections. Many paddlers choose a weekend or a week on a single stretch; see kayaking weekend getaways for short-trip planning.
- The pools behind the locks. These offer calmer day trips, with services in river towns.
- Backwaters and wildlife refuge areas. Quiet side channels can be an excellent way to experience the river away from barge traffic.
Kayaking in the state of Mississippi
Searchers sometimes mean the state of Mississippi rather than the river. The state has paddling opportunities such as blackwater creeks and rivers and Gulf Coast waterways. For the Mississippi River itself, the main channel along the state’s western border is large and commercial, so many paddlers prefer smaller tributaries and backwater areas for day trips.
Frequently asked questions
Can you kayak the whole Mississippi River? Yes, many people have, typically in about two to three months. It requires planning, solid paddling skills, and good judgment about weather and barge traffic.
Is the Mississippi River safe for kayaking? It can be, with preparation, but it has real hazards: commercial traffic, strong currents in some sections, wind, cold water, and remote stretches. Shorter, well-known sections are a safer starting point.
Do I need a permit? Requirements vary by state and agency, and by section. Check with the relevant state natural resources department and the lock operators before you go; kayak and canoe laws by state gives an overview.
Can I do it solo? People do, but a partner or a group provides a safety margin, especially on the lower river.