FAQs

Reservations are recommended but not required. We typically do not run out of canoes or kayaks, but booking your reservation online is highly recommended. (you can save $ on our Osceola Trip by booking online) Your rental will be ready for you when you arrive and you can avoid having to wait in line at the base.  Instead,  you will just head right to the beach captain to check in and away you go!

You do not select a time for a return shuttle. You need to be at the end destination by the posted shuttle pickup times. The buses will leave the landing at the posted times.

We recommend a maximum of 3 adults per canoe, or 2 adults and 2 small children.

Our canoes are really designed for 2 people, have two seats, and come with two paddles and two life jackets. You could put a third person ( or 2 small children) in the middle, but there is no seat so we recommend bringing an extra towel or cushion for them to sit on. You will also need to rent additional life jackets or bring your own.

If you have 2 adults and 2 younger children, we recommend getting one canoe and one kayak. That way, you can trade places throughout the day. Anytime you have 2 people sitting in the middle of the canoe, you are much more likely to tip over. Each canoe has a weight limit of 770 lbs.

One passenger only in our single kayak and a weight limit of 275 lbs.

Two people only in our double kayaks with a weight limit of 450 lbs.

Yes. A small or medium-size dog is welcome in the canoe. We don’t recommend a dog of any size in our kayaks. Dogs must be leashed on the shuttle and in the parks.

Yes. We cannot haul your equipment, but you can purchase a shuttle-only ticket for yourself or a member of your party for $20 and we will bring you back to your vehicle at Interstate Park or Wildwood Campground.

Yes, as long as you are comfortable with your child paddling.

Both. We have both single and double kayaks. Please note: the single kayaks are for one passenger only, and double kayaks are for two passengers only. Note that you will need to get in the water to push off if you rent a double kayak.

You will have to get in the water to launch your double kayak. You will not have to get in the water to launch a canoe or single kayak. You may want to consider bringing an old pair of tennis shoes or water shoes and a small towel to wipe your feet dry if you so choose.

There are 2 options for parking:

1. You can park at the Interstate State Park inside the MN Interstate State Park and go directly to the Canoe Base at the river’s edge, where you will begin your trip. When you park inside the park, you will be required to have an MN State Park Sticker ($7 daily) ($35 annually).

2. You can also park for FREE at Wildwood RV Park & Campground, 20078 Lake Blvd Shafer MN, 55074. The campground offers complimentary continuous shuttles to the park. At the Wildwood General Store at the campground, flush toilets, ice, snacks, and other supplies are available that you may want/need while on the river.

The Interstate State Park parking is often full by 11 a.m. on weekends and holidays, and then the park will then redirect you to go to Wildwood Campground for parking.

• Garbage bags: The National Park Service has a “Pack it in, Pack it out” policy. Help keep your rivers clean.
• Sunscreen: You may get sunburned even on cloudy days.
• Sunglasses with a strap: You don’t want to lose your glasses in the river.
• Hat or cap
• Water shoes: Old tennis shoes or sandals with straps on the heels. Bare feet or loose sandals are not recommended. If renting a double kayak, you will need to get into the water to start your trip.
• Mosquito/tick repellant
• Fishing license (MN or WI acceptable)
• Food, snacks, water: No glass bottles
• Camera in a waterproof bag
• Beach towel
• Seat cushion or extra towel to sit on

Cancellation Policy: Our guests are welcome to cancel their reservation for any reason by noon on the day of their reservation. We hope you will decide to reschedule at a time that works better for you and your party. We can also give you a gift certificate to be used at any time in the future which never expires.

If these 2 options are not available, we will gladly refund you. If you need to cancel or reschedule your reservation, please call 651-465-1080 or email info@taylorsfallscanoe.com

Please Note: we need to hear from you by noon on the day of your reservation to make any changes.

You are more than welcome to bring a medium-size cooler in the canoe and a soft-sided small cooler in the single or double kayaks. Carry in, carry out trash policy. We also sell small soft-sided coolers and aqua cases.

We offer a discount to our U.S. troops as a way of saying thank you! Any service personnel and their immediate family under 18 will receive $10 off a one-way, walk-in Taylors Falls Canoe or Kayak Rental, valid anytime when a current military ID is presented. A military ID is required to be shown at the canoe base to receive your discount. This discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, including an online reservation discount.

Yes, if you are parking in either Interstate or William O’Brien parks. However, you may park at Wildwood RV Park & Campground and we will shuttle you at no additional charge to the Interstate State Park where your canoe/kayak trip will begin. Then after your trip, we will bring you back to Wildwood Campground.

Wildwood Campground is located at 20078 Lake Blvd, Shafer, MN 55074.

What is the cost of the MN State Park Sticker?

The daily cost is $7 or the annual cost is $35. This cost supports the maintenance of the park including keeping restrooms and parking areas clean, providing trash and recycling receptacles, and security patrols throughout the park. For people that visit state parks throughout the year, the annual permit is an excellent value.

A camping permit is required to camp along this section of the river.

A camping permit is available free of charge at the Minnesota Interstate State Park or St. Croix River Visitor Center. The visitor center is located at 401 North Hamilton Street in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and can be reached at (715) 483-2274. The visitor center will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily from April through Mid October.

The application for a permit is also available online at www.nps.gov/sacn for people to print, read, sign, and mail to the visitor center. Or you can download the application here (Camping Permit Application). After reviewing the application, NPS staff will mail the permit.

When obtaining a permit, campers agree to the following regulations:

• Campers must camp in designated campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Campers must bring in and use their portable camp toilets or onboard facilities on self-contained boats.
• A total of 20 primitive and 2 primitive group campsites have been established. Up to 8 people and 3 tents will be allowed at individual campsites. Group sites will accommodate 9 to 16 people and up to 6 tents. Larger groups need to split up or make arrangements to camp in one of the state parks along this section of the river.
• There is a limit of stay of 3 consecutive nights at any campsite. There is a 30-night limit for the season.
• Campsites must be occupied on the first night of stay.
• The camping permit must be attached to the tent so it is visible. The permit must be displayed every time you camp.
• Alcohol is prohibited at the six individual Eagle’s Nest campsites (river mile 48.5).
• Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Campfires are permitted only in steel fire rings or grills.
• The cutting of live vegetation is strictly prohibited. Dead and downed wood may be collected from shoreline areas; however, it cannot be collected from islands.
• Possession of firewood that originates more than 25 miles from the Riverway is prohibited.
• Campfires must be out and cold before you leave the area.
• Do not bring glass containers to the Riverway.
• All trash must be carried out of the Riverway at the end of your stay.
• Possession or use of fireworks is prohibited.

With the express shuttle, you will actually park your vehicle at William O’Brien State Park in the morning and we will pick you up and bring you up to Taylors Falls where you can get your canoe or kayak and spend the rest of the day paddling your way back down to your vehicle. There is no return shuttle to catch.

Available weekends & holidays: Available Memorial-Labor Day weekends only.

Shuttle pick-up time at William O-Brien: 9:30 a.m.

What is the difference between a William O’Brien Express Bus & a One-Way shuttle?

Our one-way shuttles will pick you up after you canoe downriver and bring you back to your vehicle at the MN Interstate Park. The Express Shuttle will pick you up at The William O’Brien State Park at 9:30 a.m. sharp and bring you to the starting point, Minnesota Interstate State Park. You will then paddle down to your vehicle. Advanced reservations are required for the 9:30 a.m. Express Shuttle from William O’Brien State Park. The William O’Brien trip is available Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and is recommended for advanced paddlers.

Please Note: The canoe landing area at William O’Brien State Park will be CLOSED for the 2024 Season due to a construction project, No Shuttles will be allowed in or out. 

Take a look at this website: www.cleanuptheriver.com to find out how you can help be involved in cleaning up the St Croix River.