Wilderness Inquiry

09/03/2026

Join Wilderness Inquiry and Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers on Sunday, September 27 for the return of our magical Story Time Canoe Paddle! 🍁 Together in 10-person North canoes, we’ll sing and paddle through the Chain of Lakes. At Cedar Lake Point Beach, we’ll pull over onto the shore for a story time lead by Wild Rumpus booksellers and special guest children’s book author Molly Beth Griffin .

Each adult registration includes one Wild Rumpus book purchase, so you’ll head home with stories from the water and a new book or two for your shelf. 📚

🔗 Register at the link here to reserve your family’s spots today: https://wildernessinquiry.org/trip/chain-of-lakes-story-time-canoe-paddle-with-wild-rumpus/

09/02/2026

Everyone deserves a chance to feel the rush of dogsledding, see the still beauty of a snowy forest, laugh around a campfire, and feel the power of wild places. 🌲💙

For over 10 winters, we have partnered with Living Well Disability Services to bring a group of adventurous adults with disabilities — and the staff who support them — into the Boundary Waters for a fully supported winter trip.

"Without Wilderness Inquiry, our trip would end at the parking lot...They make it possible to cross the ice. They make it possible to go on trails. They make it possible for everyone to have a safe and inclusive adventure that is really meant for everybody."

🎥 Watch the full winter Boundary Waters story with Living Well Disability Services.

Find your next winter adventure or support inclusive winter trips at WildernessInquiry.org.

Join us for the trip of a lifetime! Living Well, Wilderness Inquiry...

09/01/2026

Visit the Wilderness Inquiry table inside the Minnesota Council on Disability Booth this Thursday and Friday at the Minnesota State Fair 9am-5pm! Stop by to spin our nature trivia wheel to win a brand new Wilderness Inquiry button, and get all the answers you need on our upcoming adventures.

See you there! 👋

08/31/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday for the 16th annual Great River Race! 🛶✨

Whether you were paddling the Mighty Mississippi River in person or cheering us on and fundraising from afar, your energy was unmatched. Together, we raised critical funds for our program, ensuring youth and families across Minnesota and beyond have access to outdoor experiences and environmental education. 🌲🎒

Our incredible community of supporters, paddlers, volunteers, and sponsors makes the possible – THANK YOU! 🙌

There's still time to make a final splash! Visit the GreatRiverRace.org to support our amazing program, check out the final peer-to-peer leaderboard standings, and view photos from the big day. 📸

🌟 A massive, final thank you to our incredible sponsors:
Champion Sponsor: Star Tribune
Seeking the Exceptional Sponsors: Nature Valley Thomson Reuters

📸- Roo Way

08/29/2026

The boats are off the water, and the 16th annual Great River Race is officially in the books! 🛶🏆⁠
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A massive shoutout to the over 300 paddlers, volunteers, and sponsors who made today incredible. And a huge congratulations to our official 2026 race winners, Harding High School!🥇⁠
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The race on the river might be over, but our race to support youth outdoor education isn't done yet. We still have funds left to raise to meet our $4,500 anonymous match. Every dollar you give right now is doubled to help bring Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile program to even more students. ⁠
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Let's cross the finish line strong! Head to greatriverrace.org to double your impact before the day ends.⁠
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📸- John Imsdahl

08/29/2026

Today is the big day! 🛶

The 16th annual Great River Race is officially underway! Over 300 paddlers, volunteers, and sponsors are out in full force to support Wilderness Inquiry’s program.

Huge bonus: an anonymous donor is matching all Great River Race donations up to $4,500 today, which means you can double your impact for our youth programs RIGHT NOW!

Not here in person? You can still help us unlock this match from anywhere. Head to greatriverrace.org to support life-changing outdoor education for students nationwide!

08/28/2026

Tomorrow is the best day of the year! 🌊🛶 The paddles are ready, the boats are prepped, and the Great River Race kicks off tomorrow morning!

Even if you aren't joining us on the water, there’s still time to make an impact. When you give today and tomorrow, you’re supporting life-changing Canoemobile experiences all around the country.

Because of your generosity, thousands of students will get to explore the beauty of nature – often for the very first time. Your support from across the country is what makes our entire mission possible!

Support Canoemobile in the next 24 hours at greatriverrace.org

Before the race starts, we want to give one last thank you to the backbone of this event, our incredible Champion and Seeking the Exceptional sponsors:

Champion Sponsor:
Star Tribune

Seeking the Exceptional Sponsors:
Nature Valley
Thomson Reuters



📸- Nora West

08/27/2026

Skip the crowds (and bugs!) and join Wilderness Inquiry for a Fall Boundary Waters adventure. 🍂

Thanks to the incredible hard work of firefighters, local partners, and U.S. Forest Service, the Boundary Waters is open for fall—and ready to welcome paddlers back.

Paddle pristine, mirror‑still lakes in cool temps and peak fall color. Drift through quiet pine, birch, and cedar, listen for loon calls at sunrise, and warm up around a crackling campfire under shooting stars—and maybe northern lights.

Learn more and book your spot at the link below.
https://wildernessinquiry.org/trip/boundary-waters-canoe-area-paddle-adventure-fall-trip/



📸- Corrina Stadler, Tyler Sanders, and Kirk Thornton

08/26/2026

Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile is hitting the water with military families this fall—paddling, exploring, and discovering the outdoors together, no experience needed. 🚣‍♂️

From quiet coves on local lakes to green spaces right near your base, our Outdoor Leaders make it easy, welcoming, and fun to get outside, try something new, and build memories side‑by‑side.

See how to bring Canoemobile to your community. Visit MilitaryFamiliesOutdoors.org.

Blue Star Families National Park Service

08/25/2026

The big week is finally here! 🛶✨ The Great River Race is just days away, and this is your official last week to make a splash!

We are in the final days of fundraising, and every single dollar brings us closer to our goal.

Remember what we’re paddling for: Every gift goes directly toward funding outdoor adventures and environmental education for students all over the country. Your support breaks down barriers and gives youth the chance to explore the great outdoors, learn on the water, and build lifelong confidence.

Visit Greatriverrace.org to make a gift and help us cross the finish line before the end of the week!

2026 Great River Race Sponsors:
🏆 Champion Sponsor:
Star Tribune

🏅 Seeking the Exceptional Sponsors:
Nature Valley
Thomson Reuters

🚣 Paddling Together Sponsors:
Ann Bancroft Foundation
Ascentek
Faegre Drinker
Huntington Bank
Laura Forero Family
Lockridge Grindal Nauen (LGN)
Pelican Leadership Academy