Outdoor Adventures | Recreational Sports Outdoor Program

Fun for Families, Camps and Groups

Canoeing

Canoe with the turtles and ducks of Rock Pond in Bagley Nature Area, right on the campus of UMD! Your session accommodates a blend of basic skills instruction, social interaction, environmental awareness and on water games to facilitate learning! Ages 12+ do not need an adult chaperone. Youth under 12 may canoe with an adult chaperone in the boat. Includes instruction, boats, paddles and safety equipment. You provide swimsuits and towels.
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4 to 5 people: First hour = $65, $45/hour after that
6 to 10 people: First hour = $100, $65/hour after that

Low Ropes Course

An excellent opportunity and challenge for any small group. Facilitated by trained instructors, your group will spend time working through challenges together with specific focus on improving group problem solving and communication. Dress for the weather of the day. Ages 12 and up.
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1 to 8 people: $80/hour
9 to 15 people: $100/hour (special arrangement required)

Camping at UMD's Bagley Campground

Welcome to the walk-in campground in Bagley Nature Area, right on the UMD Campus. This tents-only, primitive campground offers 6 rustic campsites, surrounded by forests and close to the Superior Hiking Trail. Enjoy hiking on the wood-chipped trails, exploring the forests, and discovering the joys of tent-camping. Camping equipment, bikes, canoes, kayaks and more are available to rent from the UMD Rental Center.
$25/campsite (accommodates up to 6 people per campsite).
Call 218-726-6134 to reserve a site.

Climbing

Climb at one of UMD's two indoor climbing facilities! Specific, tailored programming and instruction is available. Topics may include belaying, movement & technique, and other single/multi pitch climbing skills. Instruction, harnesses, shoes, and helmets are included. Chaperones for groups with participants under the age of 12 are required.
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1 to 10 people: $100/hour
11 to 20 people: $125/hour (special arrangement required)

Small Group Games

Let us facilitate fun, engaging, and challenging initiative style games and activities to help your group break the ice together, let off some steam, or focus on something more specific as requested by the group. Includes instructors to facilitate and debrief the experience and all equipment necessary for the activities. Dress for the weather of the day, prepared to move! Chaperones required for youth under 12.
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1 to 15 people: $75/hour

Slack Lne

A fun and surprisingly challenging yet achievable experience! Includes slacklines and instructors to facilitate and debrief the experience. Dress for the weather of the day. Chaperones required for youth under 12.
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1 to 10 people: $60/hour

Mountain and Fat Tire Biking

Curious to try Mountain or Fat Tire Biking but don’t know where to start? We will spend time learning body position, cornering, getting over obstacles, falling safely, using momentum to your advantage, and practicing strategies for maximizing braking and shifting capabilities on your bike. Then it's time to take what you’ve learned onto flow trails including the Duluth Traverse and COGGS trails in Bagley and Hartley Nature Centers. Instruction, bikes, and helmets included. You provide close-toed shoes, water bottle, a small lightweight backpack, and adult chaperones if minors are participating.
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2 - 6 people $75 / person for 3 Hours

Regional Day Trips for Families, Camps and Groups

Trips are available June 9 through mid-August unless otherwise noted. Includes instruction, boats, paddles, boats and safety equipment. You provide your own transportation, swim suits, towels, a headlamp, snacks or bag lunches, and adult chaperones when minors are present. Ages 12 and older. Youth under 12 may paddle with an adult chaperone in the boat with them.

Stand-Up Paddleboarding at UMD's Lester River Surf Shack

Join us at the Lester River Surf Shack (60th Ave. E & London Road) by the mouth of the Lester River for basic instruction using our stand-up paddleboards. Sessions to fit your schedule are available July 1 through mid-August.
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4 to 6 people: $200 (4 hours)
Each additional person add $30 up to 12 people maximum.

Lester River and North Shore Sea Kayak Tour

Available July 1 - mid-August
Paddle under a historic stone arch bridge at the mouth of the Lester River, and explore the North Shore with unique views of the Duluth skyline, aerial lift bridge, rugged rocks and cobble beaches while paddling on Lake Superior’s crystalline blue waters. Meets at the UMD Surf Shack, 6008 MN HWY 61, Duluth, MN 55804
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4 to 6 people: $200 (4 hours)
Each additional person add $30 up to 8 people maximum.

Add Sea Kayaking to your Family Camping Trip this Summer!

We’ll bring the kayaks, paddling equipment, and expertise! Each 4-hour outing provides basic instruction, a kayak tour, with an option for on-water skill-building games! We can meet you at a variety of locations including: Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Light House State Park, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
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3 - 4 people: $95/person/day
Each additional person add $65, up to 8 people maximum

Flatwater and Whitewater Canoeing on the St. Louis River

Spend the day developing your paddling skills and exploring the river in a tandem or solo canoe on flatwater through class I-II rapids. Trips are available July 1 through mid-August. Meet at the UMD Outpost (1 mile East of Carlton, MN next to Jay Cooke State Park).
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6 people: $570 (8 hours)
Each additional person add $85 up to 8 people maximum.
4 to 6 people: $200 (4 hours)

Dwight's Point Sea Kayak Tour & Picnic

Explore the newly designated National Water Trail! Towering white pines on steep clay embankments stand sentinel on your paddle, and lily pads bloom. Get ready to see the flora and fauna who make this place home! Meets at the UMD Boat Shed on Park Point, 1401 St. Louis Avenue, Duluth, MN 55802, and we’ll caravan to Woodstock Bay Landing. (Bring your own picnic).
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3 to 6 people: $250 (6 hours)
Each additional person add $50 up to 8 people maximum.

Duluth Harbor Sea Kayak Tour

Experience the activity of Duluth's working Harbor with its expansive skyline and bird sanctuary island. See freighters visiting from around the world, and weather dependent: glide alongside the William A. Irvin, a docked 611 foot iron ore ship! Meets at the UMD Boat Shed on Park Point, 1401 St. Louis Avenue, Duluth, MN 55802
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4 to 6 people: $200 (4 hours)
Each additional person add $30 up to 8 people maximum.

Full Moon Sea Kayak Paddle

Close out the day with a little bit of magic! Join us on Lake Superior to watch the Sun set, and the Moon rise from a sea kayak! Includes instruction, boats, paddles, kayaking and safety equipment. Headlamps required.
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Evenings around 6-9pm
Cost: $50 / person
Minimum 2 people, maximum 8 people

Basic Strokes and Rescues For Sea Kayak

Call to arrange your date and time.
This is a safe and fun introduction to the sport of coastal kayaking. The course will prepare paddlers to comfortably and safely paddle on protected flatwater environments with conditions not to exceed 1-foot seas, 10-knot winds, and be no more than ½ mile from shore. You will be actively involved and learning about sea kayak equipment, paddling techniques, navigation, on-water safety and rescues. Condensed 1-day format, and more relaxed 2-day formats available!
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1-day format:
2-3 people: $150/person
4 – 6 people: $125/person
2-day format:
2-3 people: $200/person
4 – 6 people: $150/person

American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor Certification Workshop (305001)

In this supportive environment you will demonstrate and hone your skills, receive a professional evaluation of your paddling skills, technical knowledge, rescue ability, teaching ability, group management, and interpersonal skills. Prerequisite for Instructor Candidates: pass a Level 3 Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment or Level 3 Coastal Kayak Trip Leader Assessment. **Participants not seeking an instructor certification are also invited to enroll for a portion of the course as practice students for the IT candidates at a discounted rate. Please inquire about dates and pricing for practice students.
MORE INFO COMING FOR SUMMER 2027

Intro to Flatwater Kayaking

Call to arrange your date and time.
So you bought a kayak? Or maybe you just want to have fun learning something new? This half-day course is a safe and fun introduction to kayaking in primarily flatwater environments. Get oriented with boat and body position, efficient stroke technique to reduce fatigue, strategies for keeping your boat upright and what to do if you tip. Includes instruction, boats, paddles, kayaking and safety equipment. You provide swimsuits, towels, water bottle, snacks or bag lunches, and adult chaperones if minors are present. Ages 12 and older. Youth under 12 may paddle with an adult chaperone in the boat with them.
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2-3 people: $50/person
4 – 6 people: $45/person

Paddle in Our Swimming Pool

PADDLE, SURF & SUP!

Exclusive use of the pool and our new flow pump system are available! Develop skills in whitewater or sea kayaking, canoeing, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. Instruction and equipment provided, or bring your own equipment. Prerequisites: Must pass a brief swim test prior to using flow system. Ages 12+.

2-8 people: $155 / hour

SWIMMING

Larger groups can rent our pool and have a splashing good time at your next party or event! Perfect for private parties, family gatherings, youth groups and special events. Available some Saturdays. Please inquire!

1 - 20 people: $100 / hour

+$15/hour: Additional 1-14 people

American Canoe Association Level 3 Coastal Kayak Skills Assessment (305003)

This ACA Assessment Course is designed to evaluate a participant's ability to perform Level 3 Coastal Kayak Instructor skills in 10-15 knot winds, 1-2 foot waves or surf, within 1.5 nautical
miles from shore, along with demonstrating an appropriate level of knowledge. Participants will receive documentation of having achieved a certain level of paddling ability. Prerequisites: participants will have participated in a minimum of three, full day journeys e.g. longer than 8 nautical miles.
MORE INFO COMING FOR SUMMER 2027

Forms

Liability Release Form.pdf