NOTICE: Attendees must register online before attending the event!
NOTICE: Watercraft will not be provided - attendees must bring their own watercraft to the start access.
Where: Buena Vista County: Linn Grove to Wanata ~ 5 miles. Meet at Linn Grove Campground Access at 9:00am to offload canoes/kayaks and gear. We will drive all our vehicles to the take out (Wanata), and return to the put-in (Linn Grove) in as few vehicles as possible—often referred to as the “shuttle”.
Important Notice: This stretch of river is long and requires you to avoid or maneuver around obstructions such as log jams or woody debris in the river—due to length and challenges, it’s not suited for first time paddlers. It’s important that you have good control of your canoe or kayak. Depending on weather, water levels, and other factors, this trip may take around 4 hours total, so plan accordingly. Registration is required, so we can communicate with you in case of a change of plans or cancellation.
Canoes, kayaks, life jackets, paddles, and other gear will not be provided – participants must bring their own. Life jackets must be worn when on water. Participation is limited so register early so you don’t miss out.
What to bring: Bring water, lunch and snacks, insect repellant and sunblock; and for comfort, consider wearing quick drying clothing (not cotton), a hat/cap and/or sunglasses to protect you from the sun, and water shoes (or, old sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy). Sandals and flip-flops are not ideal—closed-toed footwear is the best way to protect your feet.
Description: Experience 5 miles of the Little Sioux River as it winds its way along the stretch of the Water Trail between Linn Grove and Wanata. The river meanders through a mix of woodland and open countryside. Paddlers will need to navigate around some deadfalls and along riffles, and should have some paddling experience.
Trip Lead: Buena Vista County Naturalist, Lindsey Kleinhesselink will be co-leading the paddle with O’Brien County Naturalist, Kylie Holdorf.
Kylie is a naturalist at O'Brien County Conservation. Growing up in Spirit Lake, Iowa, Kylie always had an interest in science. When deciding on a career in the field, she couldn’t help but think back fondly on the classroom visits and field trips led by county naturalists throughout her childhood. After graduating from Luther College with a bachelor’s degree in biology, she began working as a naturalist herself, officially becoming an Iowa county naturalist at O’Brien County in August 2025. She believes that the best way to connect with nature is to get your hands dirty. Through providing hands-on learning experiences, she hopes to instill in students of all ages a sense of appreciation for the connectedness of all living things to their environment, including humans!
O’Brien County Naturalist Kylie Holdorf
Lindsey Kleinhesselink grew up on an acreage along the Minnesota–Wisconsin border, where exploring the woods, climbing trees, and playing outside sparked her lifelong love of nature. She studied ecological sciences at Northwestern College and discovered environmental education during a seasonal naturalist internship in Sioux County. That experience led to her first long term naturalist position in O’Brien County, where she continued building her skills and passion for hands-on learning. Lindsey now serves with Buena Vista County Conservation, creating programs that inspire curiosity, confidence, and meaningful connections to the outdoors.
Buena Vista County Naturalist Lindsey Kleinhesselink