Whitewater rafting and kayaking tours near Minneapolis

Are you making adventure plans ?? Did you know that there is whitewater rafting just an hour north of Minneapolis. Yes, you can get your adventure on the Kettle River

Adrenaline junkies and nature lovers, take note: you don’t have to fly to Colorado to find world-class whitewater. Just an hour north of the Twin Cities, the Kettle River cuts a dramatic, amber-colored path through the sandstone cliffs of Banning State Park, offering some of the most exhilarating rafting in the Midwest.

Whether you’re looking to conquer the infamous “Hell’s Gate” or just want a scenic escape from the metro, here is everything you need to know about rafting the Kettle.

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Why the Kettle River?

The Kettle is a State Wild and Scenic River, meaning it remains largely untouched by development. Its unique tea-colored tint comes from natural tannins in the surrounding wetlands, but don’t let the calm color fool you. Because it is a free-flowing river (no dams!), the water levels—and the intensity of the rapids—change with every rainfall.