No Section

Paddling, counting bats, hiking with Dad – the weekend is full

June 15, 2017 at 9:47PM

Paddle the Mississippi

Hidden Falls Regional Park

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday

Explore the Mississippi River and its history in 24-foot Voyageur canoes with Wilderness Inquiry guides; canoes hold six to 10 paddlers. It is an "urban wilderness" corridor of rich river habitat. Cost is $45 for adults, $30 for youth. (612-676-9400; wildernessinquiry.org)

Bat count

Whitewater State Park

7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday

Learn about threats to Minnesota's bats and help count the park's population. Meet at the visitor center. (1-507-932-3007, mndnr.gov).

Bird banding

Lowry Nature Center

9 a.m.-noon Saturday

See wild songbirds up close as they are carefully trapped, studied, banded and released. Drop in anytime. Open to all ages. (763-694-7650; threeriversparks.org)

Mountain bike race

Elm Creek Park Reserve

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Race four 12-mile laps individually or in teams of two or four riders. Awards and door prizes (and good times) follow the race. Registration and check-in begins at 8 a.m. and race mass start is at 9 a.m. (763-694-7894; threeriversparks.org)

Paddleboarding options

Fish Lake Regional Park

9-11 a.m. Saturday

Learn the details of standup paddleboarding. Equipment provided. Cost is $35. Reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700. (threeriversparks.org)

Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park

1-2:30 p.m. Saturday

Paddleboard family style. Cost is $20. Reservations required by Friday. Call 763-559-6700. Children ages 9 and younger must ride on an adult's board.

Cleary Lake Regional Park

9-11 a.m. Saturday

Reserve a lesson by Friday. Call 763-559-6700. This program is for ages 14 and older.

Loop Lake Bemidji

Lake Bemidji State Park

9 a.m.-noon Saturday

Take a leisurely 17-mile ride around Lake Bemidji, starting at the visitor center. Check-in and same-day registration will take place at the Sanford Center at the south end of the lake, with a rolling start between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. (1-218-308-2300, mndnr.gov)

Picnic and fishing

Monson Lake State Park

Noon-2 p.m. Saturday

Pack a picnic and join the naturalist for a short guided walk to a perfect picnic spot. After lunch, it's fishing 101 at the pier. All gear is provided if needed. (1-320-354-2002, mndnr.gov)

Family archery

Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement

3-5 p.m. Sunday

Explore the basics of archery and elements of safety. Shoot at traditional and 3-D animal targets. Equipment provided. Cost is $10. Reservations required by Friday. Call 763-559-6700. (threeriversparks.org)

Father's Day hike

Interstate State Park

2-3 p.m. Sunday

This hike is all about fathers — the furred, feathered and finned kind. Take a leisurely half-mile hike over mostly flat terrain near the river, with quick, fun activities. (651-465-5711, ext. 225, mndnr.gov).