canoe trip wisconsin

• Fishing Kayaks
• Paddle Boards
• Life Jackets (PFDs)
• Boat Storage
• Paddling Clothing
• Paddling Accessories
• Cool New Gear
• Submit a Review
• Paddling Near Me
• Paddling Locations Map
• Download the Go Paddling app
• Paddling Trips
• Kayaking Trips
• Canoeing Trips
• Share Your Knowledge
• Add a Paddling Location
• Add Your Trip
• All Articles
• Getting Started
• Boats & Gear
• Techniques & Safety
• Camping & Survival
• Join Newsletter
• Create Account
• Message Boards
• Classifieds
• Photo of the Week
• Free Weekly Newsletter
• Canoeing in the Midwest
• Canoeing in Wisconsin

Canoeing Trips in Wisconsin

From multi-day river trips to beautiful inland lakes, Wisconsin has a little bit of everything! Whether you're looking for a guided trip, canoe rentals, self-guided, day trip, multi-day trip, or anything in between, there's a canoe trip in Wisconsin for you! If you've paddled Wisconsin before, be sure to share your trip with the rest of us!

Travel Safe | Paddle Safe

Planning the trip of a lifetime? Check out these safe paddling tips and always wear your life jacket

- Brought to you by the Water Sports Foundation and the SFRBTF administered by the U.S. Coast Guard -

Trip Category

• Canoeing in Michigan
• Canoeing in North Dakota
• Canoeing in South Dakota
• Canoeing in Nebraska
• Canoeing in Minnesota
• Canoeing in Iowa
• Canoeing in Missouri
• Canoeing in Illinois
• Canoeing in Kansas
• Canoeing in Ohio
• Canoeing in Indiana

Guide to Canoeing in Wisconsin

An absolute must-paddle destination for canoeists! Beautiful Wisconsin is blessed with many water types and over 84,000 miles of rivers! A few highlights of places to paddle include:

• Lake Michigan and Lake Superior
• Over 15,000 lakes
• Lake Winnebago
• The Apostle Islands
• 84,000+ miles of rivers
• River trails

Canoeing Locations in Wisconsin

If you want to plot your own route, check out all paddling locations in Wisconsin! Search thousands of put-in and take-out locations on our Paddling Locations Map and be sure to download the Go Paddling app where you can save favorites or create and share a float plan!

Plan a Canoeing Trip in Wisconsin

Throughout the decades, many of our community members have paddled throughout Wisconsin and were so generous to share their paddling experiences with us in a trip report. Read a few examples of Wisconsin community trip reports below:

• Lower Fox River
• St Croix National Scenic Riverway
• Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
• Kickapoo River

Have you paddled in Wisconsin? Post Your Trip and share with the community!

Canoe Outfitters in Wisconsin

Looking to rent a canoe or go on a guided trip? Check out these outfitters in Wisconsin:

• WI River Outings - Boscobel, WI

Articles about Wisconsin Paddling

The Great Lakes: A Little Slice of the Sea

Deep in the heart of North America, surrounded by forest and field, there is an ocean. A vast inland sea containing nearly a quarter of the world's fresh water — enough to flood the lower 48 states to a depth of almost ten feet — the Great Lakes contain upwards of 35,000 islands, and their 10,000 miles of shore rival that of the US ocean coastlines.

What Is Canoecopia?

Canoecopia had its humble beginning back in 1976, when the present day organizer, Darren Bush, had hippie hair and a Grumman canoe. It started off as a sidewalk sale for the Madison, Wisconsin outdoor store, Rutabaga. Now it's rated as the largest outdoor show in North America, bringing in over 20,000 visitors who shop for gear and become educated.

RESERVATIONS OPEN FOR 2024 PADDLE SEASON

Wild Wisco Waters Canoe & Kayak Outfitters

Explore with Wild Wisco Waters Canoe & Kayak Outfitters

Paddle. Discover. Connect.

Welcome to Wild Wisco Waters, your gateway to an unforgettable outdoor adventure!

Our Expertise ​

Wild Wisco Waters Canoe & Kayak Outfitters is a family-owned and operated river outfitter. We offer guided paddle tours, solo day paddle trips and overnight sandbar canoe camping on the Wisconsin River between Portage and Dekorra WI.

The Experience

We transport you upriver at the beginning of your trip where you then paddle back to your car. You’re free to canoe the river at your own pace, and set up camp anywhere that looks good.

This is as wild as it gets, no site numbers, no picnic tables sandbars are first come first serve. After your paddle adventure, there’s no need to wait around for us. You just pack up and go.

Reserve your trip 

Your entire reservation can be completed online but we are always available via phone, email, text message, and Facebook to help plan your perfect summer escape. 

Check out our Trip Planning page to learn more about what to expect on your paddle as well as a complete packing list for your River adventure

Get in touch today and renew your connection with nature.

Our Mission

We are Dedicated to Connecting People with the wonders of Wisconsin's Beautiful Waterways

Paddle Trips 

Adventure Awaits

ADVENTURE AWAITS

All Online Reservations require 24-hour advance booking, but please do call us if you'd like to check if a trip is available for short-notice bookings!

Guided Paddle Tour

Ages 6+ | 4 or 8 hours

Starting at $200 | up to 8 people 

Our guide Rick has spent over 15 years teaching outdoor skills and is an experienced angler. Guided fishing, birding, and eco-tours will be available weekdays and offered for a half or full-day adventure. A guided tour is a great way to explore the natural world around us and to learn about the wildlife that calls it home while staying safe.

Overnight Sandbar Camping Trip

Ages 6+ | 24 hours 

13 River miles | St arting at $90

Experience the ultimate camping adventure by booking our Pine Island Overnight paddle trip. Nothing is more rejuvenating than falling asleep to the sounds of the river flowing and waking up surrounded by nature. We specialize in large group outings, working with you to create a custom trip perfect for you and your paddle crew.

Sunset Park Day Paddle

Ages 6+ | 4 hours

8 River miles |  Starting at $45 

​ If your ideal day involves sunshine, swimming, and sandbar chilling, then look no further than our Sunset Park Paddle. Meet us at the take out and we'll shuttle you upriver where you'll start your 8-mile paddle adventure down a serene section of the Wisconsin River where wonders await. 

I'm so glad we decided to do this canoeing adventure! It was such a fun experience for the whole crew and the fact that the customer service was stellar just took the whole experience to the top! Thank you!!

Let's Connect!

Open daily reservations required  may 21st - september 30th  connect today to reserve your trip.

[email protected]

Thanks for submitting!

Reservations

Searching Availability…

Common Questions

Rental rates are determined by calendar day. Once an item has been pulled out of inventory it is guaranteed to be yours until 6pm on the ending date of your trip. A single night on the river is two calendar days, i.e. starting Saturday and finishing Sunday, even if you’re going to finish early Sunday morning.

On some peak weekends we reserve all of our canoes for overnight trips. About one or two weeks out we’ll open up the remaining inventory of canoes for day trip reservations. There are two main reasons we do this – day trippers tend to be a bit more picky about the weather (understandably) and are more likely to cancel trips based on weather forecasts. Requiring day trips to wait until a forecast exists helps tremendously. This also goes hand in hand with the second reason – day trips take away boats from overnight groups that we otherwise have to turn away. We have a very short season so every day we’re able to get the boats on the water helps.

Yes, by default our system stops accepting reservations at midnight two days before a scheduled departure. Occasionally this deadline will adjust based on demand and the complexity of logistics for that particular day (i.e. we’ll likely stop accepting reservations/changes for a fully booked Saturday in July on Wednesday night in order to properly plan out our trailers, staff, and reserve extra buses for Saturday). If we’ve got a really simple day it’s possible you may be able to book up until midnight the night before.

Yes, we require full payment at the time of reservation in order to minimize paperwork and wait times on the day of your arrival. If you’re not ready to commit to a trip now, that’s okay! We take reservations up until 48 hours before trip departure. If you’re worried about availability, our inventory above is updated in real time so you can always check back to see if we’re running low on boats.

Our reservation system uses a pricing mechanism that raises rates when inventory numbers fall below a certain threshold, typically 20 or so boats). Things start to get a bit chaotic when we’re close to sold out so this demand based pricing does two things – 1) Encourages people to look at alternative dates and 2) makes it more likely that if you’re absolutely desperate for a canoe, there are more likely to be at least one or two left. This matching of supply and demand is what happens when you let an economics major run a canoe company.

It’s a personal preference for the group. We’re happy to take reservations from individuals but the group rates won’t kick in. If one person is managing the reservations for the entire group our system applies automatic discounts since we’re only handling a single point of contact/transaction/etc. It’s about 50/50 of group organizers choosing to avoid the hassle of collecting money and getting reimbursed vs paying a little more to have everyone book their own trip. If you do book as a single group, I’d strongly recommend collecting money upfront before booking someone’s canoe in order to avoid the possibility of that person dropping out last minute leaving you with an unused canoe beyond the refund deadline (speaking from personal experience here!). Again, either option is perfectly fine by us (and priced accordingly).

There are often weekdays that have been pretty slow in the past so we opt to close them down to give some of our staff a little break. That said, if you’re looking to rent 4 or more boats, get in touch with us and it’s likely we’ll be able to open up that day for you.

We don’t keep a waitlist or but our inventory is updated in real time. It’s not uncommon to have a few boats come available a day or two before the trip date. Keep an eye on this page and you may be able to snag one if something opens up. Unfortunately, if something opens up we don’t have a way to send automatic notifications at this time.

Initial reservations can be canceled without penalty if done within 24 hours of making the reservation. Full refunds are issued for any reason (minus a $10 admin fee per canceled boat) until 7 days before your scheduled departure. If a trip is canceled within 7 days, a gift certificate will be issued. This certificate expires one year from the date of issue. No refunds or credits are allowed within 24 hours of departure or after check-in (this includes ending your trip early for any reason).  We strongly recommend holding off on a reservation until your group is 100% ready or purchasing travel insurance.

Our system automatically applies discounts based on number of boats rented, trip date, and trip length. You can see how much you might save by adjusting those parameters above. These are the only discounts we offer.

Full refunds are offered for day trips if a severe weather watch or warning is issued by the National Weather Service and is scheduled to occur anytime between 8am and 3pm on the day of your trip (this is not an automatic cancellation, we’ll still put you out if the weather doesn’t concern you).

Overnight groups are not eligible for weather related full refunds as this is a wilderness environment and campers are expected to always be prepared for inclement weather while camping on the river (summer storm development can often be unpredictable – there is more information on what to do in an emergency on our trip planning section).

In cases of high water (>4′ deep), all overnight and day trips will be cancelled automatically due to a lack of sandbars. Full refunds will be issued on original form of payment. 

Refunds are not based on weather forecasts and will only be issued on the day of the trip. We do not cancel for small storms and rain! If you’re afraid of less than ideal weather, do not make a reservation until you have a reliable forecast. In all seriousness, we do not take kindly to people that call because their weather app says it’s gonna storm in three days.  

If high water or severe weather is predicted during your trip, we’ll keep you updated via email and SMS in addition to regularly updating the front page of our website.

We’ve got a lot more frequently asked questions on our FAQ page: https://thebestcanoecompanyever.com/faq/

Send us an email or a text message! [email protected]  or 608-432-5058

Allen Creek

• Apostle Islands

Arnold Creek

• Ashippun River - 1
• Ashippun River - 2
• Bad Axe River
• - NF - Duck Egg Park
• - SF - Hwy NN
• - SF - Purdy

Badfish Creek

• - Hwy A to Old Stage
• - Old Stage to Casey

Badger Mill Creek

• Baraboo River
• - Schultz Park
• - Union C. to Wonewoc
• - Wayside to Kalepp
• - Kalepp to D. Hollow
• - D. Hollow to La Valle
• - La Valle to Redstone
• - Rock Springs
• - North Freedom
• - Giese Park
• - Baraboo Rapids
• - Glenville Landing
• - Cascade Mountain
• - Floodplains
• - Delafield
• - Cushman Road

Beaver Creek

Beaver dam river, belle fountain creek, big eau pleine river.

• - Elderberry Rd
• - Cherokee Park
• - Hazelnut Road
• - March Rapids Park
• - Big Rapids Park

Big Green River

Big rib river.

• - Amco Park

Big Spring Creek

Billings creek.

• Bittersweet Lakes

Black Creek

• Black Earth Creek
• - Cross Plains
• - Salmo Pond
• - Town Black Earth
• - Mazomanie
• - Mazo to Hudson
• - Blue Mounds Creek
• Black River
• - Wayside park
• - Greenwood
• - Neillsville
• - Lake Arbutus
• - Power House
• - Black River Falls
• - Van Loon Forest
• Black River - East Fork
• - Steponik Road
• - Pray Road
• - Overguard Road
• - Bluff Road
• - Snow Bottom
• Bois Brule - 1
• Bois Brule - 2
• Bois Brule - 3

Bridge Creek

Buffalo river.

• Castle Rock Creek - 1
• Castle Rock Creek - 2

Catfish Creek

• Cedar Creek - 1
• Cedar Creek - 2

Chapman Creek

• - Coon Valley
• - Chaseburg

Cox Hollow Lake

Crawfish river.

• - Goat Island

Crystal River

• Devil's Lake

Dickey Creek

• Duck Creek MB
• East Twin River - 2017
• East Twin River - 2021
• Eau Claire - Chip. Trib.
• - South Fork
• - Harstad park
• - Big Falls Park
• Eau Claire - Douglas
• Eau Claire - Marathon
• - Bear Lake Rd
• - Dells Flowage
• - Dells Park
• - Guest Review
• Fever/Galena River
• - Strawbridge
• - Illinois Border

Flambeau River

Fond du lac river.

• - Pardeeville
• - To Swan Lake
• - To Portage
• - Portage to Gov. Bend
• - Gov. Bend to Hwy O
• - Princeton Locks
• - White River Locks

French Creek

Good earth creek, gordon creek.

• Grand Island

Grand River

Grant river.

• - Jones Branch
• - Rogers Branch
• - University Farm
• - Short Cut Road
• - Grant River Rd
• - Camel Ridge
• Halls Creek - 1
• Halls Creek - 2

Hemlock Creek

• Honey Creek
• - Hwy C to Elm Rd
• Honey Creek - WC

Hulburt Creek

• Illinois Fox River
• - Poplar Creek
• - Fox River Park
• - Silver Lake
• - Starved Rock
• Kettle River

Kickapoo River

• - Black Valley
• - High School
• - Bridge 4 to Bridge 7
• - Tunnelville Cliffs
• - Readstown
• - Plumb Creek
• Kickapoo River WF - 1
• Kickapoo River WF - 2

Kinnickinnic River

• Kinnickinnic River - Milwaukee

Kittleson Valley Creek

Knapp creek, koshkonong creek, la crosse river.

• - Fort McCoy
• - West Salem
• - Veterans Memorial Campground

Lake Columbia

Lake delton, lake redstone.

• Lemonweir River
• - East Fork
• - Kennedy Park
• Little Eau Pleine

Little Grant River

Little maquoketa river.

• Little Platte River
• - Platteville
• - Stumpton to Hwy O
• - Hwy O to Church Rd

Little Sugar River

Little turtle creek.

• Little Wolf - SB

Little Wolf River

• - Wolf River Road
• - Little Falls
• - Kretchner Road

Loxahatchee River

• Madeline Island
• Manitowoc River - 1
• Manitowoc River - 2
• Maquoketa River - NF

Marsh Creek

Maunesha river.

• - Marshall Millpond
• - Cherry Lane
• - Final Stretch
• Mecan River
• - Mecan Springs
• - Cumberland to 11th
• - 11th Road to JJ

Melancthon Creek

Menominee river.

• Menomonee River
• Mill Creek RC - Boaz

Milwaukee River

• - West Bend
• - Quaas Creek
• - Thiensville
• Milwaukee River EB

Minong Flowage

Mirror lake.

• Mississippi River
• - Long Lake
• - Goose Island
• - Marquette
• - Wyalusing
• - Glen Haven
• - Mccartney Lake

Mondeaux Flowage

• Montello River
• - Lawrence Creek
• - Westfield Creek
• - Harrisville
• - 11th Road

Mormon Creek

Morrison creek, mukwonago river, mullet river.

• Namekagon River
• - Namekagon Dam
• - Cty Road K
• - Groat Landing
• Narrows Creek
• Neenah Creek
• - Grouse Drive
• - Muskrat Road
• Neenah Creek SB

Nine Springs Creek

Nippersink creek, oconomowoc river.

• - Loew Lake
• - Fowler Park

Oconto River

• Otter Creek
• - Blackhawk Lake

Pebble Creek

• Pecatonica R. - MB 1
• Pecatonica R. - MB 2

Pecatonica River

• - Jones Branch Road
• - Powell Road
• - Roller Coaster Road
• - State Line
• Pecatonica River - AB
• Pecatonica River - DB
• Pecatonica River - EB
• - Hollandale
• - Blanchardville
• - River Road
• - Blackhawk
• Pecatonica River - SB

Perry Creek

• Peshtigo River
• Peshtigo River - O to CCC

Pewaukee River

Pheasant branch.

• Pictured Rocks
• Pine - Richland County
• - Norman Valley
• - Rockbridge
• - Richland Center
• Pine - Waushara Cty.
• - Apache Rd
• - Saxeville
• - 28th Court
• - Poy Sippi
• Platte River
• - Coon Hollow Road
• - Ellenboro
• - Platte Road

Plover River

• - Pinery Road
• - Stevens Point

Popple River

Portage canal, prairie river, puchyan river, rattlesnake creek, redgranite quarry, roaring creek.

• Robinson Creek - 1
• Robinson Creek - 2
• - Hustisford
• - Harnischfeger Park
• Rock River East Br.
• - Gill Road
• - Horicon Marsh
• Rock River SB
• Rocky Run Creek
• - Dunning Road
• Root River (MN)
• Root River (WI)
• Root River NB (MN)
• Root River SB (MN)

Rubicon River

• - West Side Park

Sand Island

Scuppernong creek.

• Seeley Creek - 1
• Seeley Creek - 2
• Sheboygan River
• - Johnsonville
• Six Mile Creek
• - Ripp Park
• - Castle Creek Conservancy
• - Woodland Drive
• Spring Brook - 1
• Spring Brook - 2

Spring Creek

• - Lodi Marsh
• - Downtown Lodi
• St Croix River

Starkweather Creek

Stony brook, story creek, sugar creek, sugar river.

• - Belleville

Tainter Creek

Taylor creek.

• Thompson Creek

Token Creek

• Trempealeau River
• Turkey River

Turtle Creek

• - School Section
• - East Creek Road
• Upper Iowa River - 0
• Upper Iowa River - 1
• Upper Iowa River - 2
• Upper Iowa River - 3
• Volga River - 1
• Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes

Waupaca River

• - Tomorrow River
• - Buchholz Road

Wedde Creek

Wedges creek.

• - Snyder Park

White Creek

White river.

• - West Branch
• White River (S)
• Whitewater Creek - IA
• Whitewater Creek - WI
• Whitewater River - Elba

Wildcat Creek

• Willow Creek - 1
• Willow Creek - 2
• Willow Creek - RC

Willow River

Wingra creek.

• Wisconsin River
• - Granite Heights
• - Port Edwards
• - Plank HIll
• - Petenwell Lake
• - Castle Rock
• - Upper Dells Part 1
• - Upper Dells Part 2
• - Blackhawk Island
• - Lower Dells
• - Pine Island
• - Prairie du Sac
• - Spring Green
• - Lone Rock
• - Hollister

Yahara River

• - Deforest 1
• - Deforest 2
• - Stoughton
• - Stebbinsville

Yellow Creek

• Yellow River
• - Yellow River Road
• - North Wood Park
• - Pittsville
• Yellow River IA

Yellowstone River

Wisconsinrivertrips.com - water trail review blog.

Located south of Waukesha, Pebble Creek is an obscure tributary to the Illinois Fox. It's not bad and has some good marsh scenery, but I can't recommend it because of logjams.

Whitewater River – Elba

Located in Southeast Minnesota, the Whitewater River is a fantastic paddle with crystal clear water and scenic Driftless Area bluffs.

Sugar Creek is an obscure paddle in Kettle Moraine Country.  It starts slow and somewhat mediocre...but ends nicely with a scenic stretch next to a terminal moraine.

Door Creek is an obscure water trail located south of Madison.  It's not elite, there is a lot of marsh, and the creek has been artificially straightened but overall I found it an enjoyable trip.

Waterproof Wisconsin Water Trail Maps

New waterproof water trail maps are now available for pre-order. Over 100 maps will be available in five collections. Each map will include mileage and access points.

2023 Year End Review

All good things...

Pecatonica River – Hwy 78 Landing

This is kind of a mediocre trip with no outcrops or anything special.  While definitely not one of the Pecatonica's best legs, it's not bad either. 

Located by Freeport Illinois, Yellow Creek is a nice paddle.  Highlights include fantastic gorges, attractive woods, cliffs, and even a cave.

A surprisingly nice trip with fantastic glacial kames, fun little rapids, rolling savannahs, and some of the best oaks I've seen on a a water trail.

Turkey River – Elkader

One of the best legs on the Turkey River which includes fantastic bluffs, cliffs, springs, a whitewater park, mill and fall color.

Upper Iowa – Plymouth Rock Landing

A guest review for the Upper Iowa River during peak color.

Yellow River – Yellow River Road

This is an obscure leg of the Upper Yellow River located near Marshfield.  It's a scenic stretch that can feature some nice fall color.  Unfortunately the trip was marred by high water levels.

Rock River – Harnischfeger Park

Despite slow current and some motorboat traffic, this is a pleasant and relatively secluded stretch of the Upper Rock River.

Kickapoo River – Readstown

This is an ok stretch of the Lower Kickapoo with decent current and some nice Driftless Area hills.  But there are no riverside cliffs.

Pecatonica River – East Branch – Hwy 78

A pleasant stretch with open scenery, Driftless Area hills, and a handful of rock outcrops.  On the downside some sections are a bit boring and open pasture has degraded parts of the river.

Baraboo River – Glenville Landing

A pleasant trip, but a little boring at times.  I would rate this as one of the more uninteresting sections of the Baraboo.  On the plus side it had no portages for logjams (as of 2023) and remains plenty navigable even during big droughts.

South Branch of the Root River

The features some of the more impressive rock outcrops in Southeast Minnesota.  Unfortunately the river can run shallow in late summer which can translate into a lot of boat dragging.

Wisconsin River – Merrimac

A mostly boring trip on an impounded stretch of the Wisconsin River.  But a few spots are interesting (Merrimac, Moon Valley, and the Prairie du Sac dam).

Kickapoo River – Plum Creek

While lacking outcrops, this lower Kickapoo trip is still a pleasant paddle and features some really nice bluffs.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

A guest review for one of if not the most scenic areas on Lake Superior.

While not exactly kayakable, this tributary to the Black River is still definitely worth checking.  Highlights include two sets of falls, an amazing slot canyon and a 100' cliff.

Black River – Irving

A surprise landing closure resulted in a shorter than expected trip.  This was a still a nice stretch with large sandbars, a few micro-waterfalls, one large sandbank, and an opportunity to explore nearby Roaring Creek which lives up to its namesake.

Mecan River – Dakota

Fast, crystal-clear water flows through a pristine "up-north" landscape in one of the best paddling prospects in Central Wisconsin.

A guest review for Sand Island, a scenic part of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior which features terrific sea caves.

Crawfish River – Goat Island

This stretch of the Crawfish was a pleasant surprise with abundant waterfowl and a number of small boulder gardens.  The highlight of the trip is Goat Island which is home to a small herd of goats.

Milwaukee River – Thiensville

This is a less popular stretch of the Milwaukee. While not bad, it had somewhat repetitive scenery and lack of unique features.

Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes

A guest review for the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes.

Wisconsin River – Granite Heights

This is one of the last free-flowing stretches of the Wisconsin River before it encounters a gauntlet of dams from Wausau to Castle Rock Lake.  It's a nice leg with attractive wooded banks, gravel bars, and even some surprise rapids.

Mississippi River – Marquette

This is a scenic stretch of the Mississippi with terrific river bluffs.

A guest review for the Minong flowage.

Pecatonica River – East Branch – Blackhawk

A guest review for a scenic stretch of the East Branch between Argyle and Woodford.

Pecatonica River – Mineral Point Branch – Oak Park Road

This was a surprisingly nice trip on an overlooked stretch of the Mineral Point Branch.  The big highlight of this stretch are its many bankside outcrops.

Pecatonica River – East Branch – River Road

A guest review for a scenic stretch of the East Branch which features impressive outcrops.

Pecatonica River – State Line

A guest review for a lower leg of the Pecatonica River that starts in Wisconsin and ends in Illinois.

Volga River – Osborne

This is a pleasant water trail that is popular with locals.  Highlights include a few light rapids, clear water, bluffs, and a scenic arched bridge.

Thompson Creek and the Root River

Located just west of La Crosse, Thompson Creek is famous for Como Falls which is very scenic.  Included in this trip was a leg on the Root River to make the trip longer.

Yahara River – Hwy 19 to Cherokee Marsh

A guest review (and warning) for the Yahara River just upstream from Lake Mendota.

St Croix River – Interstate Park to William O’ Brien State Park

A guest review for one of the best legs on the St Croix River.

Kettle River- Long Lake Road to Hwy 23

A guest review for the Kettle River which is a tributary of the St. Croix from the Minnesota side.

Illinois Fox River – Fox River Park to River Road

Located just south of Waukesha, this is a lazy stretch of the Illinois Fox.  It lacks major highlights (other than good water clarity) and isn't an elite water trail but locals may still enjoy it.

Wisconsin River – Hwy 14 to Lone Rock

A guest review for the Wisconsin River between Spring Green and Lone Rock.

Montello River – Harrisville

Logjams sabotage what otherwise would have been a fantastic trip with impressive water clarity and terrific wildlife.

Upper Iowa River – Kendallville to Bluffton Road

A guest review for the Upper Iowa River.

Black River – Van Loon Forest

The second to last stretch of the Black features some fantastic sandbars, but it can get very shallow.

Wisconsin River – Woodman

A guest review for an Lower Wisconsin River near Woodman.

Pine River – Saxeville

The most scenic stretch of the Pine River (Waushara County) includes impressive boulder gardens, a covered bridge, and Class 3 rapids.

North Branch of the Root River

This may be one of the most scenic water trails in Southeastern Minnesota.  Highlights include fantastic 100' high limestone cliffs and nearly prefect water clarity.

Namekagon River – Namekagon Dam to Hwy 63 Wayside

A guest review for an upper leg of the Namekagon River.

Namekagon River – Groat to Springbrook

A guest review for a middle leg of the Namekagon River.

Fever River- Hwy W to Council Hill Rd

A guest review for the Fever River that starts in one state and ends in another.

Andy’s Wisconsin River FKT Thing

Starting June 3rd, Andy Nevitt will attempt to set a record for the fastest end-to-end paddle of the Wisconsin River.  The goal is to do 430 miles in 4-6 days which is a blistering 70-100 miles each day and will include night paddling.  Progress will be shared online.

Big Rib River – Rib Falls

This is one of best legs on the entire Big Rib River.  Highlights include attractive hemlocks, light rapids, boulders, and seven sets of gorgeous granite outcrops.  The trip ends with a bang with Rib Falls which is incredibly scenic.

Manitowoc River – Union Rd to Manitowoc River Access Park

A guest review for a fast stretch of the Manitowoc River by I-43.

Alder gauntlets and logjams are too much to recommend this small tributary to the Mecan River. This is too bad as it has clear water and scenic pine trees.

Yellow River – Volney Iowa

Located in Northeast Iowa, the Yellow is a really nice river with fun Class 1 rapids and many scenic outcrops.

Portage to Portage

In 2010, Wausau resident Jake Stachovak paddled from Portage, WI to Portage, WI...via the Mississippi, Gulf Coast, the Atlantic, Erie Canal and Great Lakes. A jaw-dropping 5000 miles! Jake posted a blog that detailed his journey, but this became inactive after he tragically passed from cancer in 2021. The following is a resurrection of Jake's blog--with all the events, progress, and human interactions that highlighted this incredible trip.

Located east of Sun Prairie, this is an obscure tributary to the Maunesha River.  While often pleasant, it's not a stream I can recommend because of all the logjams.

Menomonee River – Hoyt Park

Located in the Milwaukee Metro Area, this is a surprisingly nice river with many rapids and boulders.

North Fork Maquoketa River

The North Fork of the Maquoketa River is one of Iowa's most scenic rivers.   Highlights include clear water, good current, scenic bluffs, and attractive outcrops.

Platte River – Coon Hollow Road

This Upper Platte River leg isn't perfect.  It does need high water levels to be runnable and the shoreline erosion is unsightly.  But, the rapids and limestone cliffs are fantastic.

This is a short trip and suffers from a few obstacles, but they are worth it to see the fantastic sandstone outcrops and a massive cave. There is even a sandstone tunnel you can paddle through.

Kickapoo River – Wilton

What's the furthest upstream point on the Kickapoo you can kayak?  Time to find out in this winter/ice version of the Kickapoo River by Wilton.

Wisconsin River Thru Paddling with Lloyd Hovorka

In June of 2021, Lloyd Hovorka paddled the entire length of the Wisconsin River from Lac Vieux Desert to Wyalusing.  The following is his blog and photos from this trip.

2022 Year End Review

Located in NE Iowa near Dubuque, this was a surprisingly nice trip that featured some fantastic cliffs.

Rock River – Ixonia

This was a trip with no interesting geology, almost no current, few rapids, and was honestly boring in spots.  But despite all that, it turned out to be a surprisingly scenic, peaceful, and nice paddle.

Rock River – East Branch – Allenton

This is a mediocre stretch of the far far far upper Rock River.  Highlights include clear water, lots of fish, attractive cattails, and open vistas.  But there are a few logjams to deal with.

Announcement – Kayak and Roof Rack Accident in UP

On October 23rd, a roof rack and its attached kayak came loose from a car on M-28 in the UP which killed an oncoming motorist.  For paddlers there are some relatively simple safety steps you can take to dramatically decrease the chance of this happening to you. 

Milwaukee River – Waubeka

A decent leg with good current, some rocky stretches, and nice fall color. The North Branch joins up on this leg and significantly enlarges the river.

Upper Iowa River – Ellingson Bridge to Hwy 76

Coon Creek – Chaseburg

While there are few rapids and it's not as scenic as Upper Coon Creek, Lower Coon Creek is still a decent paddle trip.

Wisconsin River – Stevens Point

Despite three dam portages, this was a fun trip and featured some surprisingly nice geology.

Wisconsin River – Muscoda

A guest review for the Wisconsin River from Muscoda to Port Andrew.

Bad Axe River – South Fork – Purdy

While not very big or deep, the South Fork of the Bad Axe is one of the more scenic Driftless Area streams.

Narrows Creek – Loganville

Narrows Creek is an overlooked tributary of the Baraboo River.  Although it has a few small outcrops, light rapids, and Drifltlss scenery, it also has shallow stretches and a few logjams.

Mississippi River – Long Lake

A maze of sloughs close to the mouth of the Black River offers a slow paddle to start, but the second half of the trip was a neat experience with some pleasant surprises.

Grand Island – Lake Superior

A guest review for Grand Island near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Fever River – Galena

This trip is a mediocre paddle, but it ends with a bang in historic and attractive Galena.

Black River – Wayside Park

This is a combo trip on the Popple and Upper Black Rivers.  While it started a little slow and uninteresting, it ended on a great note with a lot of fun whitewater.  By my count this trip included over 34 pitches of rapids!

Bois Brule River – Hwy 2 to Pine Tree Landing

A guest review for the Bois Brule River between Hwy 2 and Pine Tree Landing.

Announcement – Wisconsin Rivers Poster

New water trail posters are available that include all rivers (except the 4th Black) and most navigable creeks in the state. This is a great resource for finding new prospects and planning trips.

Coon Creek – Coon Valley to Koll Road

Once maligned for paddling, Coon Creek has recently been revitalized through conservation practices, local cleanup efforts, and an annual canoe race.  Now it's currently one of the more underrated water trails in West Central Wisconsin.

Baraboo River – North Freedom

Although an easy paddle with no obstructions, this is largely a humdrum section...with three big exceptions.

Illinois Fox River – Hwy ES

A guest review for the Illinois Fox River below Waukesha.

Wisconsin River – Boscobel to Woodman

A guest review for the Wisconsin River between Boscobel and Woodman.

Mississippi River – Jay’s Landing to Glen Haven

A guest review for the Mississippi near Glen Haven.

A guest review for the Mondeaux Flowage locate in North Central Wisconsin.

A guest review for Rib Lake located at the headwaters of the Big Rib River.

Bois Brule River – Pine Tree Landing to Lake Superior

A guest review for the last segment of the Bois Brule River.

Elk River – Flemings Rapids Rd to Hwy W

A guest review for the Elk River.

A guest review for Bass Lake, the highest lake in Wisconsin.

Little Wolf River – Kretchner Road

This was a great trip with many scenic boulder gardens.  Rapids on this stretch are mild and suitable for beginners.  While nice, this leg isn't as top-notch as the Little Falls or Big Falls legs located upstream.

Root River (MN) – Chatfield to Whalan

A guest review for the Root River in Minnesota.  This was part of the annual rendezvous for the Chippewa Order of Canoeists/Kayakers.

Yellow River – Hwy F

A guest review for the Yellow River near Babcock.

Six Mile Creek: Waunakee Village Park to Woodland Drive

This was an incorrectly timed trip...too low and too many logjams.  It is however a very pretty creek.  With enough rain and after the current cleanup efforts finish, this might be one of the more attractive water trails in Dane County.

Petenwell Lake

This was a round-trip on Wisconsin's second largest inland lake to check out some large sandbanks, sloughs, and islands.

Sugar River – Hwy A

This stretch of the Upper Sugar starts nice, but gets less interesting as it approaches the Belleville Dam.

Wisconsin River – Portage

This is a nice tweener leg of the Wisconsin River between busy Wisconsin Dells and Lake Wisconsin.  Thanks to its shallow waters, you won't encounter many motorboats and can enjoy epic-size sandbars.

Honey Creek – Walworth County

This is a nice creek located in Southeast Wisconsin similar to the Bark River.  Highlights include clear water, a gravel bottom, and an opportunity to do some train watching.

Hay River – Dunn County

A guest review for the Hay River in Dunn County.

Yellow River – Hwy 10

Scenic boulder gardens, light rapids, and the best tree canopies I've ever paddled under make this a highlight paddle of the year.

Ashippun River – Druid Lake to Hwy O

This far upstream leg of the Ashippun River was scenic in spots with a few nice boulder gardens, but ultimately the trip had too many logjams to recommend.

Big Eau Pleine River – Elderberry Rd

This is one of the more challenging but also rewarding stretches of the Big Eau Pleine.  Highlights included scenic boulder gardens and three Class 3 rapids. 

Pecatonica River – Ames Branch

This obscure river in Southwest Wisconsin is a neat paddle and very similar to the Fever River.  Just make sure you have enough water to get over the rapids.

La Crosse River – Veterans Memorial Campground

This was a nice trip on the La Crosse River just upstream from the city of La Crosse.  The highlight of the trip were some terrific sandbanks.

Although famous as a scuba diving and cliff jumping destination, the clear water and red granite walls make this an attractive and unique paddle.

Willow Creek – Hwy S

This is kind of a mediocre central Wisconsin paddle.  It's not bad with clear water and good scenery, but logjams are an issue.

Located east of the Kickapoo, this was a disappointing paddle.  Just too many logjams and too much mud.

Black Earth Creek – Cross Plains

Black Earth Creek is a popular water tail located just west of Madison. The Cross Plains segment, however, has been plagued in the past by fences and logjams. This exploratory trip proved that conditions have since changed and "Cross Plains" is now ready for paddling.

Turtle Creek – School Section Rd to Creek Rd

A guest review for Turtle Creek by School Section Road.

Announcement – Cold Weather Checklist

While paddling in spring can be a rewarding experience, it can be dangerous if you don't take the right precautions. Recently an Illinois paddler had a close call after getting pinned by a logjam. I thought it would be a good idea to create a checklist to follow before committing to a cold weather paddle.

This is the stretch below Yellowstone Lake and is, in many ways, similar to the larger Pecatonica River which it drains into.  While a pleasant paddle, it suffers from topsoil erosion and long borders of reed canary grass.

This is a small trout stream located southwest of Madison.  It's a scenic creek which features some surprise rock outcrops.

Announcement: DNR Proposes Kayak Fee

The DNR spring hearing on April 11th, 2022 will ask the public if they want mandatory registration for kayaks (numbers + fees).  I advise voting no, which you can do online.

Announcement: Small River Canoe Adventures of Wisconsin

WisconsinRiverTrips has recently obtained permission from author "Frank-Piraino" to republish the guide book "Small River Canoe Adventures of Wisconsin" as a free downloadable PDF. Check it out!

A bucket list warm water paddle for anyone who wants a truly unique and beautiful winter paddle in Wisconsin.

The Loxahatchee is one of Florida's best paddling rivers.  It's a fantastic experience and likely the closest you'll come to a rainforest kayak trip in the lower 48 states.

Mill Creek (Richland County) – Boaz

This is an obscure tributary to the Wisconsin River located west of Richland Center.  While not very big, it's actually pretty navigable with decent vistas of the Ocooch Mountains.

Kinnickinnic River – Milwaukee County

A guest review for the Kinnickinnic River in Milwaukee County.

Sheboygan River – Kohler

This was a unique paddling experience that featured good fall color, light rapids, and spawning salmon.

Pine River – 28th Court

A guest review for the Pine River upstream of Poy Sippi.

Yahara River – Dunkirk

This is one of the nicer water trails south of Madison.  Highlights include some light riffles and scenic boulder gardens.

Pine River – Poy Sippi

If you are pining to navigate all the navigable Pine Rivers in Wisconsin (there are four that I know of, five if you count the North Branch of the Pine in Forest and Florence counties), do consider adding this segment of the Waushara County Pine to your itinerary.  It has all the classic features of […]

Peshtigo River – O to CCC Bridge

A guest review for the upper Peshtigo River.

Little Wolf River – Little Falls

This was the best 2021 paddle to date and is one of the premier paddles in central Wisconsin.  Highlights on this obscure stretch of the Little Wolf include fun rapids, incredible scenery, and huge granite boulders that dwarf a kayak.

Wisconsin River – Final Segment

A guest review for the final stretch on the Wisconsin River.

Little Wolf River – Ness Rd

This is an obscure stretch of the far upper Little Wolf.  While it doesn't have as many boulders and rapids as its more famous downstream neighbors, it's still a nice paddle.

What began as a "ditch paddle" on this Rock River tributary ended with a scenic stretch through wooded drumlins.

Sugar River – Paoli – Guest Review

A guest review for the Sugar River near Paoli.

Pecatonica River – East Branch – Blanchardville

This is a weaker stretch of the East Branch, but it wasn't a bad paddle.  It's most memorable feature was the Blanchardville dam at the put-in which is photogenic.

I want to avoid the “hidden gem” cliché here, but I won’t, in singing the praises of this delightful stream with so much to offer, on the exurban edge of the Twin Cities in western Wisconsin. Clear, cold water, very limited development, sandy or gravelly bottom, manageable deadfalls and stimulating riffles – and, for dessert, […]

Eau Claire River – Douglas County

A guest review for the Eau Claire River in Douglas County.

Oconomowoc River – Concord

Located just after the city of Oconomowoc, this is a generic stretch of the river.  It enjoys nice clarity, but it isn't as scenic as the upstream legs of the river.

Fish Lake has been "permanently flooded" which provides a unique experience to paddle past flooded trees and homes.

Marsh Creek is one of the larger sloughs on the Lower Wisconsin River.  The upper portion is practically a long lake, while the lower portion is a more conventional creek.

Wisconsin River – Plank Hill

Located just upstream from Petenwell Lake, this is a fairly overlooked stretch of the Wisconsin.  While it mostly consists of slow current and uninteresting scenery, it does feature two ginormous sandbanks that are really cool.

Grant River – Grant River Rd

This is yet another great leg on the Grant River with fun rapids and scenic outcrops.  A surprise highlight were the many sandstone cliffs, since most of the Grant cuts through limestone.

Milwaukee River – Fredonia

A guest review for the Milwaukee River between Fredonia and Saukville.

Turtle Creek – Tiffany

This was a great trip with the highlights being fast current, clear water, and a historic five arch bridge.

Wisconsin River – Port Edwards

A flowage drawdown is providing a rare opportunity to see the river and rapids on this stretch the way Native Americans, early pioneers, and raftsmen saw them.

Kickapoo River – Bridge 4 to Bridge 7

This is one of the greatest legs on one of the greatest paddling rivers in Southern Wisconsin.

Namekagon River – K to McDowell

A guest review for the Lower Namekagon.

Winding through a very broad river plain, the Buffalo doesn't have much different to offer...until the final stretch to the Mississippi.  Then the scenery and bluffs get fantastic!

Rock River – East Branch – Theresa

Although the Rock is known primarily as a wide and very slow river, this section near the river's headwaters was an enjoyable paddle----perhaps one of the nicest stretches on the entire river.

East Twin River (Mishicot to Two Rivers)

A guest review for the Twin River near Mishicot.

The Mullet is an obscure tributary to the Sheboygan River.  It's a small river that's often shallow and riffly.  While scenic, it does have some logjams to deal with.

Bark River – Cushman to Hwy 106

This leg marks a major demarcation in the Bark as it transforms from a shallow, rocky river with super clear water, to a beat-up floodplain paddle.  The first half of this trip was excellent, but the second half not so much.

Lower Dells

The Lower Dells is a classic water trail famous for its fantastic freestanding rock formations and even several caves you can paddle into.  Unfortunately, it is also very crowded, noisy, and features huge waves that are a big problem for paddlers.

Black River – Greenwood

A great stretch on the Upper Black River featuring granite bedrock and scenic boulder gardens.  Long, quiet stretches are interrupted by 18 rapids, including four Class 2s and one Class 3.

Big Eau Pleine River – Hazelnut Rd

A heavily wooded leg with multiple boulder gardens, a few small outcrops, and two sets of significant Class 2 rapids.  While water levels are tricky and timing important, this can be a great paddle.  

Some of the best paddling in Wisconsin is on tributaries of the Black River, so this was an attempt to find yet another gem.  While it didn't live up to its neighbor creeks (it was a bit overgrown and bushy in spots), some parts of the creek were really nice.

Rubicon River – Neosho

Much of this trip was a flowage paddle...muddy, carp-infested and not super interesting.  The last part below the dam though was really nice with the highlights being several small boulder gardens and light rapids.

Pecatonica River – Jones Branch Rd to Powell Rd

Another exploratory trip on the Upper Pecatonica.  This was a nice, peaceful stretch with a few outcrops, two sets of light rapids, and one serious logjam.

Grand River – Hwy Q to Hwy A

This was a nice marsh paddle with the highlight being a ton of great wildlife.

White River – West Branch

This is a popular central Wisconsin trout stream that is a nice paddle.  It's a very clean river with little mud and crystal clear water.

Maunesha River – Cherry Lane to Waterloo

With the removal of a couple of major logjams, the Maunesha has become one of the better water trails in the Madison area.  Highlights included lots of wildlife and fun Class 1 rapids through downtown Waterloo.

Westfield Creek

Incredible clarity and huge schools of fish highlight this obscure water trail.

Pecatonica River – Sudan Branch

A mixed trip.  Highlights included 6 rock outcrops, 2 scenic bluffs, fun riffles, and even a cave.  But on the downside there were a few logjams, several fences, and muddy banks.

This was an exploratory trip on the Grant River's largest tributary that turned out surprisingly well.  Highlights were the fast riffles and scenic limestone outcrops.

Pine River – Hwy 80 to Hwy D

This is one of the nicer paddles in the Driftless Area.  Trip highlights included 13 outcrops and paddling under a huge natural sandstone bridge.

This is an obscure tributary to the Fox River.  While somewhat mutilated by extensive dredging, this is a nice paddle.

This tributary of the Sugar River just south of Broadhead turned out to be a very nice paddle.  Highlights included a sandy bottom and surprisingly clear water.

Rocky Run Creek – Dunning Rd to Hwy 51

A nice creek, but logjams and low-hanging alder branches were a bit much

Kickapoo River – Black Valley to Brookwood High

This is a fantastic but obscure stretch on the upper Kickapoo that few know about.  Trip highlights were the many pine-topped sandstone bluffs decorated with ice flows from frozen springs.  The river was also free of logjams--a past bane for paddlers.

Lemonweir River – South Fork

This is an obscure stretch of the Lemonweir River located near Tomah.  While it enjoys good clarity and some surprisingly nice sandbars...it just has too many logjams to recommend.

Pecatonica River – Roller Coaster Road to Wells Landing

While one of the nicer legs on the Lower Pecatonica, this stretch has been too badly damaged by floods and erosion to be considered a top prospect. 

This is an obscure trout stream south of Madison.  There were some logjams, but it was a surprisingly nice paddle with incredible clarity.

Otter Creek – Blackhawk Lake

This was a combination trip that included parts of Upper Otter Creek and Blackhawk Lake.  Honestly it was a bit disappointing because of shallow water and strong winds.

Maunesha River – Waterloo

The final leg of the Maunesha has recently benefited from some major cleanup work.  It is now a really nice wooded paddle.

Little Wolf – South Branch

A nice fall color paddle on a somewhat obscure tributary to the Little Wolf.

Wisconsin River – Biron to Wisconsin Rapids

This was a fun adventure that featured two dams, two paper mills, several scenic boulder gardens, and one tricky portage.

Baraboo River – Rock Springs

This is one of the most scenic stretches on the entire Baraboo River.  Highlights include steep gorges, riverside boulders and scenic outcrops.

Bad Axe River – South Fork – Hwy NN

A super scenic trout stream through "Coulee Country" with many fun rapids.

Yellow River – North Wood County Park

Yet another underrated Central Wisconsin paddle that is super scenic and has a lot of fun rapids.  This is a tough river to time though as it is often too low or too high.

A guest review for the Flambeau River near the confluence of the North and South Forks.

Milwaukee River – West Bend

The removal of the Woolen Mills Dam has revealed one of the nicer stretches of the Milwaukee River.  Highlights include great current, attractive urban riverfront and scenic prairies.

Little Wolf River – Manawa

While not the best stretch on the Little Wolf, it was a pleasant paddle.  Highlights included large boulder gardens and long flowing strands of potamogeton.

This is a busy lake paddle that isn't super interesting but does allow paddlers to see some iconic tourist attractions and amphibious ducks.  The trip highlights are the inlets and outlets to the Lake which have fantastic rock outcrops.

Wisconsin River – Dekorra to Lake Wisconsin

A terrific section with rock outcrops, large island deltas, hidden sloughs, and nice sandbars.  Unfortunately this part of the river is popular with motorboats and jet skis which can be a plague.

Turtle Creek – East Creek Road

Good current, clear water, and surprise limestone bluffs highlight another nice trip on the Turtle.

Black River – West Clay School Road

One of the best water trails in Wisconsin with spectacular scenery and top-notch rapids.

Eau Claire River – Wausau Area

A guest review for the Eau Claire River by Wausau.

Grant River – Hwy U

Fast current, beautiful scenery, 9+ sandstone outcrops, fun rapids, and zero logjams--another winning trip on the Grant River.

This is another goldilocks stream that is difficult to time.  But at the right depth this contains some of the most fun Class 2 whitewater in Central Wisconsin.

Mississippi River – McCartney Lake

Hidden in the backwaters between Cassville and the Grant River are a series of cool outcrops and sloughs.

This is an obscure tributary to the Wisconsin River located near Portage.  While not an elite prospect, it's a pleasant paddle with good clarity.

Lake Arbutus

Lake Arbutus is a busy lake which can have heavy boat traffic and challenging waves.  However, the Black River immediately preceding and following the lake is incredibly scenic.

Baraboo River – Wayside Park

Although muddy and weed-lined, this otherwise uninteresting section of the "Boo" is the location of three scenic sandstone outcrops, including one of the biggest on the entire river.

Oconomowoc River – Loew Lake

This trip was a twist on the classic Loew Lake section of the Oconomowoc River.  While most prefer to paddle this as an up-and-back...we decided to do this as a one-way trip starting from St. Augustine Road.

Eau Claire River – Hwy D to Big Falls Park

This was a pleasant trip that included many nice sandbars, several granite outcrops, and one set of fun Class 2 rapids.  The highlight was Big Falls which has an impressive 15' descent and was quite photogenic.

Big Eau Pleine River – March Rapids Park

This is a tricky water trail to time, but when done at the right depth it's a lot of fun.  Highlights included seven Class 1 rapids and two Class 2's.

Wisconsin River – Pine Island

This is an obscure section of the Wisconsin River sandwiched between the Lower Dells and Portage.  It's not an elite stretch of the Wisconsin because of its lack of unique features...but it does have many nice sandbars.

Baraboo River – Schultz Park

An exploratory adventure on the far upper Baraboo.  Highlights included four outcrops, but deadfall was a nuisance and I did have to portage several times.

Baraboo River – Kalepp Road

This is an obscure section of the Baraboo River that has some nice outcrops and a terrific bike shuttle.  Unfortunately mud and downed trees were an eyesore.

Pine River – Apache Road to Covered Bridge Road

The Pine River in Waushara County has been a prospect I’ve wanted to do for some time, but I’ve always had lingering concerns about the number of logjams.  Recently I discovered a rare second edition to an already rare paddling guide by Frank Piraino that positively described a stretch from Apache Road to Hwy A.  […]

Lemonweir River – East Fork

This is one of the nicer stretches on the Lemonweir River.  Highlights on this super sandy stretch include many pine trees and clear red water.  There were a handful of logjams that had to be portaged but they weren't that difficult.

Stony Creek and Robinson Creek

This was a bit of an unusual trip that combined two scenic creeks.  Logjams were an issue on Stony Creek, but Lower Robinson was a positive experience.

This is an overlooked sibling to the much more popular Turtle Creek.  Highlights for this Ice Age paddle include good current and fantastic clarity.

Grant County's best kept secret.

An amazing "Ice Age Paddle" with the highlights being natural springs and clear water...all in all very reminiscent of the Upper Mecan River.

Otter Creek – Hwy Q

This was another "roll-of-the-dice" prospect that turned out better than expected.  Otter Creek is a somewhat obscure stream that does attract occasional trout fishermen.  As a paddling prospect it was surprisingly nice with clear water, light rapids and scenic bluffs.

Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area (SNA)

If you have been wanting to do a BWCA trip, but don't have the time or are not sure if it is the thing for you, this may be just the trip for you.  It's like a mini BWCA but only 3.5 hours from Madison.

An obscure creek near Princeton that's mostly a marsh paddle.  Although repetitive at times, the scenery was surprisingly good with the highlight being swaths of tamaracks turning color.

Bark River – Merton

Another Ice Age paddle with some great fall color.  While the upper Bark River has some five star scenery, there are a few logjams to deal with.

Mecan Springs

This was a great trip that explored the spring-water origins of the Mecan River.

Grant River – Jones Branch (Hwy 61)

This is about as far upstream on the Grant River that you can paddle.  There are some fun rapids and scenic outcrops...but there is a lot of mud and pasture to deal with.  There are also 3-4 logjams, one of which forced me to take an unplanned swim.

The shallowest and rockiest stream I've ever paddled.  It is however incredibly scenic and if done at the right water levels could be an amazing paddle.

The Crawfish isn't the greatest of paddling rivers, but there is a nice exception located between Columbus and the Danville Dam that is worth checking out.

Cedar Creek – Cedarburg

With limestone dells, rapids, boulder gardens, cedars, and stunningly clear water this is one of the most scenic water trails in southeast Wisconsin.  However...it can also be one of the most shallow.  Timing is everything with this paddle.

Sugar River – Belleville

This is one of the nicer water trails on the Sugar River.  Highlights include great access points, a few surprise sandbars, and an attractive wooded section.

Grant River – Camel Ridge Road

Between the back fields and hidden valleys of the Driftless Area flows one of the most popular tubing stretches in the state.  Despite the heavy tube traffic, this segment of the Grant is still a great kayak trip, with highlights being good current, sandstone outcrops, and a fantastic "dripping rock."

Eau Claire River – Bear Lake Road to Hwy 52

One of central Wisconsin's best.  Dense boulder gardens, fun rapids, and clear water make this a fantastic paddle.

Bark River – Hartland

A varied paddle with a mixture of light whitewater, lake, marsh, and urban paddling.  Overall a nice trip but could be an elite trip if a few logjams were to be cleared out.

Wisconsin River – Arena to Spring Green

A return to the Lower Wisconsin with its broad waters and scenic grandeur.  This popular stretch is known for its sandbars and has one of the highest concentrations on the river.

Badfish Creek – Hwy A to Old Stage Road

While the lower Badfish gets a lot of kayak traffic, few care to paddle the upper Badfish.  Are they avoiding it for a reason?  Time to find out...

Hidden just east of Black River Falls is the state's deepest and clearest lake.   This is a popular paddle with locals, with the highlight being a fantastic beach and scenic red cliffs.

Fox River – Swan Lake to Portage

Yet another marsh paddle and lake/creek combo that was very nice.  Highlights included great clarity, fantastic cloud reflections, and the most dragonflies I've ever seen.

Rubicon River – West Side Park to Hwy 60

This was not as nice as my last Rubicon trip because of some deadfall issues, but this segment does have a lot of potential, especially in the second half where there are many light rapids.

Overdeveloped and packed with powerboats, Rock Lake can be a bit crazy for kayaking.  What makes Rock Lake unique are its famous underwater pyramids, but unfortunately you can't see these from a kayak.

Wolf River – Langlade to Wild Wolf Inn

One of the best whitewater stretches in the entire state of Wisconsin.

Mud Lake is one of the nicer marsh paddles I've done.  This was an unplanned round trip because of some unexpected adversity, but it still turned out well.

Maunesha River – Hwy TT to Lion’s Park

Thanks to recent cleanup efforts, this part of the upper Maunesha is now a viable water trail.  This isn't a five star trip and the current is pretty slow, but it does have some neat parts.

An interesting paddle with a scenic park, thick canopied forest, and an open wetland.  While it has its highlights, upper Allen Creek likely won't be a destination paddle for most because of several logjams.

Black River – Neillsville

One of my personal favorite sections of the Black River.  Highlights include stunning boulder gardens, rugged granite banks and fun whitewater.

Bad Axe River – North Fork – Duck Egg Park

Winding through the coulee region of southwest Wisconsin, the North Fork offers scenic driftless hills and numerous fun rapids--one of the fastest rivers I've ever paddled.

Big Eau Pleine River – Cherokee Park

The Big Eau Pleine is one of the most underrated paddles in central Wisconsin.  Clean, fast, and with many granite boulder gardens, this has been my favorite trip to date for 2019.

Connecting two of Madison's great lakes, Wingra Creek is an artificial creek that honestly isn't too exciting but may appeal to locals. 

Upper Yahara River

Located north of Lake Mendota by DeForest, the Upper Yahara River is no more than a creek...but a fun creek at that with great wildlife, clarity, boulder gardens, rapids and other surprises.  This might be the best paddle in all of Dane County.

Castle Rock Creek – Snow Bottom

Flowing through hidden valleys and steep hillsides, the Snow Bottom portion of Castle Rock Creek is a neat paddle with some fun rapids.  Unfortunately some large mud banks and a few logjams did detract from the experience.

Not a super exotic trip, but a pleasant marsh paddle with highlights being great water clarity, plentiful waterfowl, and some surprise sandbars.

Pecatonica River – Mifflin

How far upstream can you paddle the Pecatonica River?  Time to find out...

This tributary to the Rock River, located west of Janesville, is an artificially straightened creek that isn't super exotic.  But it does have great current, good clarity and no logjams.

Another Ice Age paddle that turned out surprisingly well.  This was mostly an urban segment through downtown Hartford with the highlights being attractive bridges, riverside architecture, light rapids and good clarity.

Dell Creek & Upper Mirror Lake

Located near Wisconsin Dells, Dell Creek is a secluded and pleasant trout stream.  After Hwy 23 it morphs into Mirror Lake which is a unique paddling experience.

Ashippun River

A surprisingly nice paddle on the Upper Ashippun River.  Highlights included clear water, abundant wildlife, and a few light rapids created by glacial outwash.

Grant River – Rogers Branch

The far upper portion of the Grant River (called the Rogers Branch) is actually navigable during high water.  This was a surprisingly nice trip through trout-land with no logjams, fun rapids and scenic limestone rock formations.

Sugar River – White Crossing Road to Valley Road

This is about as far upstream as you can paddle on the Sugar River.  Although not super exotic, this is still a pleasant paddle through open grasslands and marsh.

Devil’s Lake

Wisconsin's most popular state park is a fantastic spot for beginner kayakers.  With crystal clear water and flanked by tall quartzite bluffs, this is one of the truly special areas in the state.

Hidden in southwest Wisconsin next to the Kickapoo River is an obscure trout stream that is typically too shallow to run.  With enough water however it is a viable paddle with fun whitewater and scenic driftless vistas.

Located near Racine, this is a popular paddling river with locals.  It starts slow and not super interesting, but after 4 Mile Road there is a great section of rapids and boulder gardens.

Oconomowoc River – Monches to West Shore Drive

An "Up North" river hiding in suburban Milwaukee.  Highlights include clear water, boulder gardens, scenic bridges, fun rapids and attractive marshes.  Only a few logjams prevent this from being a five star trip.

Pecatonica River – Powell Road to Oak Park Road

An obscure section of the Pecatonica flowing through the heart of cow country.  Highlights include attractive rolling green hills, oak savannas, and one sandstone outcrop.  Unfortunately few will paddle this stretch because of four low fences.

Illinois Fox River – Starved Rock

A first-time paddle on the Illinois River which featured spectacular wildlife and tall sandstone cliffs.  The trip itself was overshadowed by nearby Starved Rock, which is one of of Illinois' best parks.

Black River – East Fork: Overguard Rd to Campground Rd

The last, best, and most popular stretch of the East Fork.  A scenic wilderness trip with fun Class 1-2 rapids and attractive granite boulder gardens.

Waupaca River: Amherst to Otto Road

One of Central Wisconsin's finest paddles with plentiful rapids and clear water.  The highlights are the boulder gardens which are among the best in the state.

Yahara River: Viking Park to Stebbinsville Dam Road

A guest review for the Lower Yahara River near Stoughton.  Done during high water, pollution was an issue.  While having interesting parts, this trip did require two dam portages and did have some wide monotonous sections.

Milwaukee River – Downtown

A fantastic paddle on the last segment of the Milwaukee River, which flows through the heart of downtown Milwaukee. Highlights include Wisconsin's tallest buildings, fantastic architecture, moveable bridges, large tour boats, and a great view of the Milwaukee Riverwalk.

Grant River: University Farm Road to Short Cut Road

An obscure upstream segment on the Grant River that was a mixed bag.  The access spots were a bit challenging and the water a bit muddy...but there were some nice limestone outcrops and rapids.

Six Mile Creek: Woodland Drive to Lake Mendota

Recently cleared of logjams, lower Six Mile Creek is Dane County's newest water trail.  This was a diverse trip that included dense woodlands, marsh, and paddling on Lake Mendota.  All in all a pleasant trip with the highlight being the diverse and unique plant life.

Black River: Melrose to North Bend

A "Wisconsin River Junior" south of Black River Falls with fantastic sandbars, good livery services, and great camping options.  This is one of the better and more popular sections on the Lower Black.

With some massive 150' high cliffs and fun Class 2 rapids this is a neat tributary to the Black River.  The only issue is you have to do some upstream wading to see the best parts.

Turtle Creek – Beloit

With no obstructions and good current, this trip is perfect for lazy paddlers.  While mostly through the outskirts of Beloit, this is a relatively clean creek with densely wooded banks, and lush jungle-like vegetation.

Little Platte River: Hwy O to Church Road

An exploratory paddle on the Lower Little Platte River that turned out surprisingly well. Highlights included limestone outcrops, driftless vistas, many light rapids, and no logjams.

Baraboo River: Gander Outdoors to Glenville Landing

Of all Baraboo River segments this is my favorite.  The highlight was the rapids which are among the best and most fun for beginner whitewater paddlers in Southern Wisconsin.

Milwaukee River: Quaas Creek to Goeden Park

A return to the Upper Milwaukee River for a pleasant and easy float.  Highlights include little development, clear water, and good access options.

An urban paddle with not a lot of natural beauty but interesting never-the-less.  Highlights include some scenic bridges and Olbrich Gardens.

Six Mile Creek: Ripp Park

This Lake Mendota tributary was a nice paddle with only a few logjams.  Highlights include a marsh, rapids, some scenic parks, 17 total bridges, and even a few boulder gardens.

Whitewater Creek

This spring-fed tributary to the Bark River was a diverse paddle and very nice.  The upper portions consisted of mostly marsh and flowage paddling, but the lower portion through town and by the campus was fantastic with fun rapids, tree tunnels and great water clarity.

Plover River – Pinery Road

While not as nice as upstream sections of the Plover, this was still a solid paddle with good current, clear water, and wooded banks filled with pines, cedars and firs.

This small creek near Black River Falls cuts steeply through white pine topped sandstone gorges to reveal stunning scenery.  Typically I would consider a paddle like this not only five stars, but among the best in the state.   But there is one (well many) problems that will ensure that few paddle this gem.

Big Rib River – Amco Park

A nice paddle with clean water, good scenery, decent current, and no hazards.  This is an easy stretch well suited to beginners and locals wanting to experience the Big Rib for the first time.

Pecatonica River – Mineral Point Branch

If you can catch the Mineral Point Branch with enough water you'll be rewarded with a nice paddle through open pastures, rolling green hills,  sandstone outcrops, and light rapids.

With fun rapids and beautiful granite rock formations, this obscure tributary to the Yellow River is a central Wisconsin gem.

Pecatonica River – Dodge Branch

One of the better kept paddling secrets in the driftless area.  Highlights include fantastic sandstone outcrops, good current, and not a single logjam. 

Despite extensive reconstruction for trout and past channel changes by farmers, the Upper Little Sugar is a fun little river with light rapids, clear water and surprisingly few logjams.

Black Earth Creek – Winter Paddle

A guest winter review for a short segment on Black Earth Creek from Olson Road to the new Wolf Run Trail Landing.

Neenah Creek – Hwy P

A return to Neenah Creek to check out its middle portion.  This is an open wetgrass paddle that isn't overly exciting, but does have some subtle beauty.

This small driftless stream is quite nice with fast current, clear water, and sandstone outcrops.  Just skip the downstream parts, which have some serious logjam issues.

Blue River – Snow Bottom

A paddle through a narrow, hidden valley features blufftop outcrops, relict pines, giant boulders, and classic driftless scenery.  The best trip of 2017 and one of the best paddles in Southern Wisconsin.

This relatively unknown tributary of the Black River features some fun Class 2 rapids, scenic boulder gardens and even a few granite outcrops.

Mecan River – Cumberland Road

Rarely paddled, the far upper Mecan has a few obstacles but also some of its best scenery, with almost perfect water clarity and beautiful white pines.

Mississippi River – Goose Island

Located on the Mississippi south of La Crosse, Goose Island is a popular wildlife area.  An official canoe trail circumnavigates the island with the highlight being the Mississippi bluffs.

A trip for the adventurous paddler that offers an entertaining challenge, crystal clear water, varied terrain, abundant wildlife, and with several put-in/takeout possibilities and an easy bike shuttle option, it could be a welcome addition to your local “after work” paddling options.

Manitowoc River

A great trip east of Lake Winnebago with a mostly undeveloped shoreline, fast current and dolomite dells.  The highlight is Little Cato Falls which is a scenic 4' ledge in the river.

Oconomowoc River – Fowler Park

Last of the Oconomowoc chain of lakes, this suburban paddle features lake paddling, two dam portages, some nice marshy sections, and crystal clear water.

Clear water, springs, a multitude of fish and a lack of mud, make this one of the nicer paddles of the year.

Trempealeau River – Perrot State Park

The Voyageurs Canoe Trail is a scenic and popular round-trip located at the mouth of the Trempealeau River.  Highlights consist of an attractive marsh and the towering bluffs of Trempeauleau Mountain and Brady's Bluff.

Rock River – Hustisford

One of the better Lower Rock sections that starts really nice with a cool boulder garden.  Unfortunately, that was the only major highlight as the rest of the trip was a bit too slow, muddy, and simple.

A popular paddling creek located by Cambridge, Wisconsin.  Well-maintained and with nice areas, but the sheer amount of mud detracts from the overall experience.

Wedges Creek – Snyder Park

A bonanza of sandstone outcrops and granite boulder gardens make this a special paddle.  Just don't attempt to do it during low water.

Token Creek is the biggest tributary to Lake Mendota and hosts the largest natural springs in all of Southern Wisconsin.  While most paddlers do the lower portions, the secret to this creek is its scenic headwaters.

East Twin River

A guest review for the East Twin River.   A nice prospect but with some logjam issues.

Wisconsin River – Lone Rock

One of the most scenic sections of the Lower Wisconsin that includes a 2.3 mile stretch of sandstone outcrops, huge sandbars, interesting sloughs, and impressive sand banks.

White River – Sheridan Springs Road

A surprisingly nice river that flows out of Geneva Lake and enjoys good water clarity and long stretches of fun rapids.

Black River – Power House Road

Perhaps the best section on the Black River featuring Class 1-2 rapids and scenic granite boulder gardens.

Another Iowa driftless paddle, but this time a good one!  Flowing through one of Iowa's few true canyons, highlights include fun light rapids and the largest boulders I've ever seen.

North of Dubuque, Iowa, this Mississippi tributary brims with potential but honestly was somewhat of a letdown and was likely the muddiest trip I've ever done.

Plover River – Hwy K

Not as elite as other Plover segments, but this diverse paddle is still enjoyable and has some fun surprises at the end.

Eau Claire River – South Fork

This is a pleasant wilderness paddle with nothing too special, but does contain the most sand and gravel bars I've ever witnessed for a trip.

Fever River – Bean Street

If you are willing to duck under a few fences, this section will reward you with amazing limestone outcrops and fun rapids.

At the junction of Wisconsin's greatest rivers is one of its finest parks.  While normally known for its scenic overlooks, a unique way to experience Wyalusing is to paddle its popular water trail.

Access is difficult by a scenic mill house, but once you're on the creek, it's a fun ride through rocky dells, over splashy rapids, and past striking sandbanks.

Sandwiched between the Eldorado Marsh and downtown Fond du Lac is a really neat paddling prospect with narrow riffly corridors, small boulder gardens and clear water.

A fun fast section of the upper Oconto River that flows through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

A guest review for the Red River, a whitewater river located in northeastern Wisconsin.

Guest reviewer Sumner Matteson describes an unforgettable environment filled with "dripping greens" and 85 species of birds.

Pleasant, but not exotic, this segment on the far upper Big Rib has a different character relative to its downstream siblings.

A driftless gem with perhaps the highest concentration of sandstone outcrops in Southern Wisconsin.

Pine River – Quarry Drive

Logjams and mud make for an underwhelming trip.  There are nice parts on the river though if you stick it out to the end.

A spectacular paddling prospect hidden in the driftless area of southwest Wisconsin.  Fun rapids, hidden valleys, boulders, and occasional outcrops make this the favorite paddle to date for 2017.

Willow Creek – Richland County

Richland County's best kept secret is a scenic bonanza with some of the taller sandstone outcrops you'll see in Southern Wisconsin.

Kickapoo River – Guest Review

A guest review for the far upper stretch of the Kickapoo River.  A beautiful segment but with some logjam issues.

Unexpected dam releases made for a flooded river and a wild ride, but this is a river with lots of potential.  A unique blend of urban, wooded, and whitewater segments, the Beaver Dam River is definitely worth checking out...but at lower levels.

Another driftless trout stream paddle through farm country, but with some fun rapids and neat scenery.

Castle Rock Creek

A great, undiscovered driftless paddle near Madison with no logjams, fun rapids and neat geology.  Seems too good to be true, but it is.

Some rock outcrops and scenic bridges highlight this section, but unfortunately mud and logjams are an issue.

Neenah Creek – Grouse Drive

A return to Neenah Creek for an easy wetgrass paddle with few challenges, but few rewards.

Neenah Creek – Muskrat Road

This simple wetgrass paddle is not overly interesting with a broad slow channel and repetitive flat scenery.  However, it is fantastic for waterfowl.

Yellow River – Pittsville

An unexplored section on the Upper Yellow River with some really nice surprises.

Willow Creek

A sandy trout stream in central Wisconsin with terrific water clarity.  The scenery is repetitive though with too many alders.

Black River – East Fork – Steponik

A pleasant but lazy stretch little resembling the main branch of the Black River.  East Fork Falls and a unique wildlife experience kept things interesting though...

Plover River – Esker

The far upper Plover River is rarely paddled, yet might be the best section for paddling because of its scenic firs, granite boulders and some surprise rapids.

Black River – Christie

A wonderfully scenic trip on the Upper Black River with plenty of whitewater and attractive granite outcrops.

Eau Claire River – Weston

A surprisingly nice paddle through suburban Wausau with some fun rapids and boulder gardens.

West Fork of the Kickapoo – Bloomingdale

While lacking the rock outcrops of its more famous sibling, fast water and countless riffles make this popular trout stream a fun paddle. 

Little Platte – Stumpton Road

The Little Platte is a pleasant pastoral paddle with fun riffles and interesting geology.

Root beer red water pools and tumbles by carved sandstone bluffs in this incredibly scenic tributary of the Black River.

Black River – Dam to Mason’s Landing

An overlooked tweener section on the Black River offers rapids, sandbars, gravelbars, granitebars, sandstone outcrops, scenic creeks and more.

Crystal clear water, beautiful seeps, wild rice corridors, and abundant wildflowers make this a terrific paddle.  There is just one problem at the end though...

A leisurely paddle through a marsh ends with a dizzying descent down a tangle of switchbacks and rapids-- if you have enough water.

Waupaca River – Buchholz Road

An overlooked section of the Waupaca that offers amazing scenery, gorgeous boulder gardens and fun rapids.

Bark River – Delafield

This is a very nice section on the upper Bark River that runs from Nagawicka Lake to Dousman.  Part creek, part urban paddle, part lake paddle, part woodland paddle, and part marsh paddle, this has something for everybody.

Illinois Fox River – Silver Lake

A guest review for the Illinois Fox close to the Illinois border.

La Crosse River – West Salem

A mediocre trip on the La Crosse.  A few fun rapids and a hidden sandstone coulee are the highlights.

Passing through glacial kettle lakes in the far west suburbs of Milwaukee, the Oconomowoc is a surprisingly nice river with diverse scenery and remarkably clear water. 

Fox River – White River Locks

A pleasant section on the Fox River starting in the city of Princeton.  However, the broad channel and slow current take some of the magic out of the trip.

Platte River – Hwy A

An upstream section of the Platte with fantastic limestone outcrops and fun riffles.  This section however is negatively impacted by grazing and does run dry in late summer though.

Little Wolf – Hwy BB

An ok stretch but not in the same class as neighboring water trails.  Some fun rapids and boulder gardens, but the sheer number of tubers was an annoying distraction.

A surprisingly nice paddle on the upper Sugar.  A narrow channel, lush wooded banks, and up-tempo current make this a worthwhile trip.

Plover River – Bevent

Probably the best section on the entire Plover River with good current, a few rapids, attractive woods and fine boulder beds.

Peshtigo River – Burnt Bridge Landing

New guest review for the Peshtigo River.  One of Wisconsin's most famous whitewater trails.

Little Eau Pleine River

One of my all time favorite whitewater paddles with amazing scenery and fun rapids, this central Wisconsin water trail is a great prospect if you get it at the right depth.

Yellow River – Hwy 80

This segment of the Yellow starts with a whimper and ends with a bang.  Highlights include fun rapids, boulder gardens, massive river boulders and a lack of development.

Fox River – Governor Bend

A slow, simple, and peaceful section of the Fox that is pleasant but not super exotic.  Locals should consider this stretch, but those living further away can probably find better alternatives.

Eau Claire River – Dells Park

One of the best paddling prospects in the state.  An amazing combination of intermediate rapids, dells and boulder gardens that ranks among my all time favorites.

Rocky Run Creek – Hwy 51

Kind of a disappointing trip because of the log jams.  This trail does have redeeming qualities if you do the right leg and paddle at proper flow rates.

West Fork of the Kickapoo River

The Kickapoo's obscure branch to the west is a fun paddle with good current, scenic rock outcrops, clear water and great views of the driftless hills towering over the river.

Yahara River – Deforest

A guest review for a great section of the Yahara River near Deforest.  Small, fast, and winding this is a good prospect to try when other nearby rivers and creeks are too high.

White River – Wautoma

A return to the White River to check out its far upper stretches.  This is a great paddle with clear water, good current and fastastic groves of skunk cabbage...just be sure to pick the right section or you will face a lot of log jams.

Billings Creek (or "Kickapoo Junior"), is among the elite paddling prospects in all of Southern Wisconsin.  Great water clarity, natural springs, fantastic rock outcrops, light rapids and even a cave to paddle though make this an exceptional prospect.  Only caveat is that it is small and some bigger boats may not fit.

Montello River – 11th Road

A return to the Montello River for honestly its weakest section.  This is still not a bad stretch though and is a simple prospect to consider for locals looking for a new adventure.

Lawrence Creek

A fun trip for a creek I didn't even know about until a week ago.  Highlights include good current, good vegetation, and, best of all, fantastic water clarity.

Kickapoo River – Tunnelville Cliffs

One of the busiest water trails in the state comes to an abrupt halt at La Farge.  Few want to go further because of log jams, but are these fears validated?  Time to find out.

An overlooked water trail in Madison?  Seems hard to fathom, but it is true.  Nine Springs Creek is a good prospect running mostly though marshland with good water clarity and occasional springs.

Good Earth Creek is a small tributary of the Fox River located north of Portage.  Heavily mutilated by agriculture, this at times feels like paddling in a canal.  All that said though, it was a pleasant trip.

Fox River – Princeton Locks

Simple yet pleasant.   This rarely paddled section has something that much of the rest of the Fox River does not.  Trees!

Seeley Creek – Part 2

Nice rock outcroppings are the highlight for this quaint creek running through the heart of the Baraboo Hills.  Only downside are some unfortunate log jams.

Fox River – Endeavor

This is a tweener section of the Fox River between the more popular Portage to Hwy O route and Buffalo Lake.  Not super exotic, with no bluffs, no current, no banks, nor woods; this is nevertheless a pleasant section that I'm glad I did.

Baraboo River – Cascade Mountain

A return to the Baraboo River to check out a more obscure paddling segment.  Not elite with highway noise to contend with, but pleasant with no log jams and attractive wooded banks.

Sheboygan River – Johnsonville

A great paddle on Wisconsin's "east coast" that starts by a famous brat factory and ends in scenic Dassow Park.

Yellow River – Necedah

An obscure central Wisconsin prospect that is pleasant with great sandbars, but has some snags to contend with.

La Crosse River – Fort McCoy

An obscure paddling prospect but pleasant, with no log jams, great water clarity, good current and a clean sandy substrate.

Illinois Fox River – Poplar Creek

Outside of a boring flowage section, this is a fun trip with nice segments of wetgrass, woods and finally rapids through downtown Waukesha.

Halls Creek – Part 2

One of, if not the most scenic paddles in all of Wisconsin.  Amazing sandstone bluffs and fun rapids await paddlers...if you have enough water.

Upper Iowa River

A visit to Iowa's best.  Clear water, good current and natural springs are key highlights.  But best of all are the massive riverside limestone bluffs (aka palisades) that are larger than anything you'll find in Wisconsin.  

Fox River – Portage

One of Wisconsin's most historic rivers, this is a pleasant paddle with good water clarity and a chance to explore the Portage Canal.  Unfortunately, it has some serious issues with rotting pondweeds.

Bark River – Rome

A really nice paddle without too much development, great water clarity, fun riffles and interesting wildlife.

Black Earth Creek – Walking Iron

Back again at Black Earth Creek, this time starting at Mazomanie's Walking Iron Park.  A really nice paddle with great water clarity, clean banks, attractive tree canopies and good current.

La Crosse River – Onalaska

A visit to train and bluff country on the last section of the La Crosse River and then a side adventure on the mighty Mississippi.

Wisconsin River – Mazomanie

A long overdue visit to the sandbar capitol of the state.  Terrific bluffs and sandbars make this a must paddle for those living in southern Wisconsin.

Madeline Island Sea Caves

While not as extensive as their Cornucopia neighbors (of ice cave fame), the Madeline Island caves are a great alternative and make a terrific afternoon paddle.

Pine River – Hwy Q

A pleasant , scenic driftless paddle that starts with some class 2 rapids and ends with a basketball game.

Wolf River – Hollister

A journey to the whitewater capitol of Wisconsin to enjoy some fun class 2 rapids and amazing boulder gardens.

Baraboo River – Dutch Hollow

A rarely paddled section of the Baraboo River that is quite pleasant.  Highlights include seven rock outcrops and some fun little rapids to end the trip.

At times a challenging river because of the log jams in fast water, the Maunesha does have its rewards in fun rapids if you stick it out to the end.

Mecan River – Post Germania

A classic south-central Wisconsin paddle with nothing too exotic, but still very pleasant with nice water quality and attractive wooded tree canopies.

A return to the Black River area for a fun wilderness paddle, some small rapids and a LOT of rocks.

Rock River – East Branch – Mayville

Located northeast of the Horicon Marsh, the East Branch is a good prospect with few obstructions, fun rapids and nice boulder gardens. 

An obscure tributary to the Fox River, the Puchyan is a fun little river with great clarity and fun rapids, but there are some boring marsh sections to contend with.

Platte River – Platte Road

A fine southwestern Wisconsin paddle with many fun but safe rapids.  This is mostly a rural farm paddle, but is still scenic with great views of the driftless hills.

Milwaukee River – East Branch

This is one of the three main upper branches to the Milwaukee River.  It starts as a slow swampy paddle with log jams, but ends on a high note with fun riffles, clear water and boulder gardens.

Little Platte River – Platteville

One of southern Wisconsin's crown paddling jewels featuring fun rapids and amazing limestone bluffs that rival the Kickapoo.  Just be mindful of the cows, their fences, low water and high water...and you'll have a great trip.

Spring Creek – Lodi

Spring Creek is an obscure water trail north of Madison.  Good water clarity, current and minor riffles but log jams were challenging.

Black Earth Creek – Salmo Pond

An obscure but pleasant paddle stretch from Salmo Pond County Park to Black Earth.  A good combination of scenery, water quality and light rapids.

White River – Neshkoro

A spontaneous trip due to extenuating circumstances.  This was a small pleasant river with terrific clear water, but kind of short at only 3.4 miles.

Rock River – South Branch

Another “roll-of-the-dice” paddle that turned out pretty good.  The South Branch of the Rock River is one of three branches that form Horicon Marsh.  This trip is maybe half urban paddle (quite nice), half hardwood paddle (ok), and finally a little marsh before you legally have to get off the water. Put-in: Waupun Park (located […]

Sometimes with mystery creeks you roll the dice and things just don’t work out.  This wasn’t one of those cases, as White Creek was a pleasant surprise with great water clarity, some easy rapids and while, yes, some portages – they were easy to deal with. Put-in: Evergreen Ave is a one-lane bridge with no […]

A cool little trout stream located north of Portage .  Perhaps a little small for most sensible paddlers, but most sensible paddlers won’t know what they’re missing. Put-in: The logical put-in at Golden Ave is bad (too rocky).  So instead, I used a nearby creek tributary off of Hwy G.  Ok shoulder parking, but not […]

Duck Creek Middle Branch

Favorite trip to date for 2015 with sublime water quality and surprisingly enough no portage necessitating log jams.  On the downside, there was an issue with a local property owner. Put-in: Schliesmann Road Bridge is an attractive put-in.  Parking is not five star but doable.  Easy launching into the creek as the banks aren’t too […]

Ultimately, this was a diverse trip with interesting contrasts.  It would vary between lake, creek, river, woods, marsh, humans, lack of humans, fun paddle and boring paddle. Put-in: Best put-in is at Hwy CM (by the Dates Mill Pond).  While probably public DOT land by the bridge, it is a little close to houses, so […]

Fox River – Montello

A trip that starts on the swift, narrow Montello River and finishes on the historic Fox River.  Part urban paddle, part historic paddle, part open water paddle–a fun trip that I recommend to readers. Put-in: There is a downtown public parking lot that you can use for access (fishermen use it all the time).  It […]

Fox River – Pardeeville

An obscure section of the Fox River upstream of Pardeeville that has redeeming values, but can be a frustrating paddle because of the log jams in the stream. Put-in: Pretty good access at Hwy 44.  Best parking and launch area will be on the southwest side of the bridge.  There is a house in sight […]

Neenah Creek Main Branch – Part 2

A solid but not super exotic wetland paddle with its strength being the clean water and sandy bottom. Put-in: Pretty good access at Hwy A.  You can put in north of the bridge (either up or downstream).  There are riffles running under the bridge, so putting in upstream lets you run them.  Try not to […]

Neenah Creek – South Branch

A pleasant wetland paddle that is rich in waterfowl, but could use a bit more current to liven things up. Put-in: Access is located just below the Lake Mason Dam and Flowage in Briggsville.  There is a boat ramp just north of the dam which serves the lake, but you can drop off your kayak […]

Lemonweir River – New Lisbon

A big, long lake pretending to be a river.  Honestly, somewhat boring, but a nice rock outcropping, fall leaves and attractive white pines gave it redeeming value. Put-in: The old put-in for this stretch used to be the Hwy M bridge (southeast side).  While there still appears to be a launch there, there are “no […]

Blue Mounds Creek

A relatively new water-trail due to some fantastic clean-up work by the locals, but while the creek is worthy of consideration, this was a relatively disappointing paddle given how much I liked the upper sections of this watershed (namely, Black Earth Creek).   Put-in: Pretty good put-in at Blynn Road.  Access will be on the southeast […]

This is a pretty obscure prospect that is rarely reviewed and infrequently paddled…probably because most people associate the river with the massive flowage to the east, but a good length of the river upstream flows freely (mostly) and is actually a good paddling prospect. Put-in: Nice public access is available at Big Rapids County Park, […]

Mecan River – Upper

Despite the Mecan being a popular paddle, this section is often overlooked and undeservedly so.  This is a fine wilderness paddle and one of the clearest rivers in southern Wisconsin–a must paddle for south central Wisconsinites (you “northerners” already have lots of these type of rivers). Put-in: Very good bridge put-in at 11th Road.  Small […]

Black River – East Fork

A pleasant central Wisconsin paddle with little signs of human civilization.  Enjoy oxymoronic slow riffley current with the highlight of the trip being large granite protrusions and boulder beds. Put-in: Good but hidey access area by Pray Road.  It will be on the northwest side of the bridge, with a solid pull-off area for the […]

This is probably the best section on the Milwaukee River.  A fine paddle, with clear, red water; no jams/hazards; swift, fun current; good bank quality; and a surprising amount of wilderness for a river with this namesake. Put-in: Just downstream/east of the Main Street bridge in Newburg is a nice public put-in.  Note:  while this […]

Not being the cleanest river nor the best wilderness experience, the Grant River is pretty much a one-trick pony.  But it is a good trick though!  What makes the Grant special are the occasional limestone and sandstone bluffs, which are fantastic and make this trip worth doing. Put-in: For a river fraught with access issues, […]

Black Earth Creek – Mazomanie

Connecting the city of Middleton to the Wisconsin River, Black Earth Creek is an obscure paddling prospect–more known for its nationally famous trout population.  Nevertheless, this creek is a wonderful little gem with a great combination of prairie paddling and forest paddling that should not be overlooked by south-central Wisconsinites. Previously in May, I had […]

A pleasant five-mile paddle originating in the city of Sparta.  The La Crosse River has a great recipe for paddlers in swift clear water, fun ledges, and is nestled in an attractive setting.  Put-in: You will have a bevy of options for putting in, with almost contiguous green space access from Memorial Park to Fisherman’s […]

Pecatonica River – East Branch

An underrated prospect located 40 minutes southwest of Madison, with nice plantlife and tree canopies, but most of all, some splendid rock bluffs. There is a decent chance you haven’t heard of the East Branch of the Pecatonica River, as many paddle review sources do not cover it.  This is odd…but kind of a consistent […]

Rock River – East Branch

For the most part, a weak paddling prospect, with slow, dirty current and open, scraggly banks.  But…the river does have redeeming attributes and nearby sections of the river have potential, so keep reading… When you think of Wisconsin’s mighty watersheds…the Fox, Wisconsin and Chippewa all come to mind, but ultimately the Rock is larger than […]

A must paddle for southern Wisconsinites!  This is actually a two-part trip that can be split in half.  The first four miles run through the terrific Chain O’ Lakes and the second half consists of small river paddling with clear, riffly water and (for once) tasteful bankside landscaping. Both sections are five star prospects by […]

Robinson Creek

My new favorite water trail!  I’ve paddled a lot of places…and have had a lot of top paddling experiences (including Bois Brule, Kickapoo, Wisconsin Dells Area, Halls Creek, Morison Creek and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore), but this is my new favorite and might be the best paddling prospect in all of Wisconsin. A little background […]

A classic water trail in central Wisconsin, the Waupaca River is a great prospect with striking boulder gardens, great water quality, and fun/safe riffles.  The river starts close to the city of Stevens Point and winds east before emptying into the Wolf River.  I’ve actually paddled the Waupaca before…well, kind of.  Last fall, I paddled […]

The Plover is a popular small river that flows southwest before emptying into the Wisconsin River at the city of Stevens Point.  There are multiple sections of the river that are navigable for paddlers–the upper section being more rocky and “up northy,” with nice boulder gardens, and the southern section, which is more like the […]

We did the Prairie River from Heineman Rd. to the public access at the end of Prairie Road.  This stretch is only a few miles northeast of Merrill, in north central Wisconsin.  The Prairie River proved to be a typical northern Wisconsin small river, with cool, clean, root beer-colored water that moved along at a […]

A river with two identities.  The first 90%, you get clear water, sandy substrates and open, grassy vistas.  The last 10% goes through woods and, unfortunately, has some deadfall to contend with.  To clarify further, there are actually three White Rivers in Wisconsin.  This is not the more famous one located by Lake Superior (a […]

This is a nice scenic river in which the whitewater is the highlight (or low-light). During the weekend of this trip, most rivers in south and central Wisconsin were flooded or too high to paddle (ironically, the Fever River was one of the exceptions).  One water trail on my prospect list that caught my eye […]

Fever River (aka the Galena River)

The name of the river is confusing, because while originally named the Fever River, the state of Illinois (shamed to have a river named after smallpox) renamed it to the Galena River.  This left mapmakers in Wisconsin confused…to this day.  On the flip side, some old Galena residents in Illinois still refer to it as […]

Coon Creek – Hwy P

An obscure paddling prospect with nice riffles, scenic hilly vistas, and no technical portages…but with some serious obstacles to contend with.  In paddling circles, few will have heard of Coon Creek or its main tributary, Timber Coulee Creek, but for fishermen this is one of the most famous watersheds in all of Wisconsin and is […]

A spectacular wilderness adventure through rapids, rock bluffs, massive boulders, wonderful plant life, clean water…and with not a single house in sight.  This Black River tributary is not without its caveats though.  This stream has possible access issues, an unpaved bike shuttle, the rapids were more serious than expected, and parasites were a drag. Let’s […]

Halls Creek

One of Wisconsin’s crown jewel paddle trails.  This is a terrific Black River tributary with frequent class 1 rapids, root beer colored water and terrific dells.  So why haven’t you heard of it before?  Because it is a “Goldilocks stream”–it has to have “just the right” water levels to run (which is unfortunately rare).  In […]

Black Earth Creek – Black Earth to Mazomanie

This is a very nice, clear, fast creek that runs from the Middleton Airport all the way to the Wisconsin River near Arena.  On occasion, paddlers will run Blynn Road (the last bridge) to the mouth, and this is considered a good prospect that recently was cleaned up in 2011 of log jams by “Capitol […]

A more obscure branch of Neenah Creek, with nothing absolutely spectacular, but all in all, a pleasant, peaceful paddle that I’m glad I did.  You’ve probably never heard of Big Slough, so I’ll provide a bit of background here…  The Fox River flows roughly south to north from Portage up to Green Bay.  The first […]

Lodi Marsh is a very nice natural area located a half hour north of Madison.  Basically, it is an open valley marsh that is fed with freshwater springs and accumulates into “Spring Creek.”  There it in turn flows through the city of Lodi and then eventually into the Wisconsin River at Okee Bay.  There is […]

Hulburt Creek is an obscure little creek in the Wisconsin Dells area that few people paddle or even know about.  Normally, it is just too shallow and filled with logs to paddle (more on that later).  Thanks to our recent deluge of rain though, the creek levels really came up and I decided to give […]

Think Lower Baraboo meets Horicon Marsh and ends on the Portage Canal for this trip.  The Grand River is a pretty obscure prospect located southeast of Montello.  It flows east to west through a couple of dams and a large marsh/flowage before it empties into the Fox River as a decent-sized tributary.  The most prominent […]

Initially, this trip was going to encompass Big Creek and the north end of Lake Redstone, but due to inclement weather and ice, I was only able to paddle Big Creek and parts of Lake Redstone. Big Creek is a northern tributary to the Baraboo River close to Reedsburg. Close to the mouth, there is […]

Neenah Creek – Oxford

Neenah creek is an occasionally paddled creek that is normally known for its open grassy areas, wetlands, waterfowl, and for being the first major tributary of the historic Fox River.  A far more obscure segment of the stream, rarely paddled, is the far upper section, which I learned about from Small River Canoe Adventures of […]

Pine River – Richland Center

The Pine River is an under-rated prospect sandwiched between the Baraboo River and the Kickapoo River.  The lower third from Richland Center to the Wisconsin River gets occasional paddling traffic which is an ok prospect but it gets beat up by flooding.  The upper third starting from Rockbridge Park is a great prospect which I’ve […]

Eau Claire River – Harstad Park

There are actually three Eau Claire Rivers in Wisconsin, so this can be very confusing.  I previously reviewed the Eau Claire River that flows into the Wisconsin River at Wausau here.  There is another Eau Claire that flows into the St. Croix, but in this case the review will focus on the river that flows […]

Upper Dells – 2

Of the many areas in the Dells to paddle, this is the best and is a must paddle for Southern Wisconsinites.  In a previous review, I paddled the first half of the Upper Dells from Two Rivers landing to about halfway on the flowage lake (take-out at River Bay Campground).  For this trip, I’ll pick […]

Tomorrow River

A tributary to the Wolf River, this is a very nice river/stream that is often overlooked because of its popular neighbors (Little Wolf/Waupaca/Crystal/Wolf/Plover).  The Tomorrow never gets very big before it gets to Amherst and “magically” turns into the Waupaca River (an oddity, as Rivers don’t usually change names like this).  Despite this being September […]

This is one the cleanest, nicest paddling prospects in Wisconsin.  Never getting very big before it empties into Lake Superior, the river is filled with fun rapids, clear pools, historic resorts, attractive banks, and wonderful plant life.  In fact…I would rank this as the best paddling prospect in Wisconsin (the Kickapoo had that honor before […]

Namekagon River – Hayward to Stinnett

One of the more popular legs of the Namekagon starts just below Hayward.

Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek is a decent-sized tributary of the Milwaukee River that runs through the small town of Cedarburg just 30 minutes north of Milwaukee.  While not widely known state-wide, the locals know all about it, and it is a popular paddling location for Milwaukee area residents. There are a number of put-in options (see map), […]

Upper Eau Claire Flowage

The initial plan for this trip was to paddle the Eau Claire River either 7 miles above Eau Claire Dells County Park or 7 miles below.  (Note: Wisconsin has two Eau Claire rivers and this is the Wausau one…not the Chippewa River one.)  At this time of the year, the Eau Claire runs very low, […]

Platte River – Ellenboro

Located in the SW corner of the state, the Platte is a very nice river often overlooked by paddlers.  Unlike its more popular neighbor, the Grant, it has little in the way of rock outcroppings (although it has a few).  It also suffers somewhat from poor agricultural use and barbed wires running across the river. […]

Black River – Mason to Irving

This route starts 4 miles downstream of the Black River Falls dam at Mason’s landing and goes 9 miles to the Irving landing.  You can put in earlier (see map for options), but that would have made a long trip IMO.  You can also take out at the campground (see map), which is close to […]

Lemonweir River – 19th Ave to HH

Having done and been pleasantly surprised with the previous two sections of the Lemonweir below Mauston, I decided to do the “middle section,” which is a 14 mile stretch from the 19th Ave Landing to the HH landing (bridge to bridge).  If you haven’t already, go ahead and read my review for the first five […]

Black River Flowage

There are a number of nice prospects in the Black River area, but for this trip we did a more obscure segment that is probably only say the 4th/5th best route…yet was still very nice.   You can kind of divide the Black River in two.  Paddling above the dam at Black River Falls and paddling […]

Pheasant Branch Creek is located near Madison and feeds into Lake Mendota’s northwest side.  It’s not a very large creek, so it is not very popular with paddlers.  You can usually paddle up to and past the first pedestrian bridge, but not much further due to the shallow depth and abundance of aquatic weeds.   There […]

Baraboo River Floodplains

This is the last paddlable segment on the Baraboo River before it hits the Wisconsin.  Normally this is a mediocre prospect due to dirty water, lack of sandbars, and occasional log jams (rumor has it that it might have been cleaned out locally).  But it’s not a bad section to paddle that can be very […]

This used to be a much more popular paddle destination than it is now.  But unfortunately, the Wisconsin River end of the canal was permanently sealed and the main locks left open.  Silt, weeds, and even logs have invaded certain sections, which makes this difficult to paddle in low water.  The ‘main’ access point to […]

Kickapoo – Far Upper

While the Kickapoo is one of the most popular paddle rivers in the Midwest, virtually nobody does the sections upstream of Ontario.  Before doing this trip I had heard mixed stories about the navigability of the far upper sections.  I emailed a local tour operator (Fred Flasher) who said he had actually done the Kickapoo […]

Seeley Creek

Located in the heart of the Baraboo Hills close to North Freedom, Seeley Creek is one the largest tributaries to the Baraboo River.  Just a couple miles upstream of the mouth, the creek is dammed to form an artificial lake, which is popular with local fishermen.  Officially, there is a DNR landing for canoes there, […]

Rocky Run Creek to Lake Wisconsin

This was a segment run during very high flood water (4.6 feet down by Muscoda and 11 feet up by Wisconsin Dells per USGS).  Normally, this would be a bad thing to do on the Wisconsin River, as the high water covers up the sandbars, but in this case the high water was actually a […]

Little Wolf – Guest Review

The Little Wolf is one of the nicer rivers I have kayaked.  It has very nice scenery.  The forest is healthy and filled with ferns, hemlocks, and wildflowers.  Bird life is abundant.  There are several boulder gardens with some very large boulders.  Throughout the stretch, there were numerous riffles and a couple of rapids to […]

This is a very nice creek that starts near the town of Lodi and empties into the Wisconsin River close to (and across from) the city of Merrimac. Spring Creek itself primarily starts in a marsh southwest of Lodi (which would be a nice kayak spot if there were access). It then winds through town […]

Spring Brook – Lower

Spring Brook is one of two creeks that empties into Lake Delton by Wisconsin Dells. This is not a well traveled creek, despite being next to Lake Delton, as it is usually very shallow, lacks good public access, and has a nasty log jam.  If it were more accessible, it would probably be swarming with […]

Honey Creek – Upper

This is a small creek located in the foothills of the Baraboo Hills, close to Natural Bridge State Park and Hemlock Draw.  For the most part, the creek is rarely paddled except for the lower section, which is closer to Sauk City and empties into the Wisconsin River.  The other exception is an area above […]

Kickapoo River – Rockton to La Farge

Of all paddling rivers in Wisconsin this might be the most popular.  And of all sections on the Kickapoo, this is probably the second  best stretch to run after Ontario to Rockton.  There are a large number of landings on the river, at least shuttle/rental services, so you do have a lot of options as […]

Black River – Hwy 35

While the Black River is one of the more popular rivers to paddle in Wisconsin, this downstream section close to the mouth is very rarely reviewed.  You can put in at a canoe landing located at Highway 93/53.  The landing is nice and has parking, but there are no bathrooms and it is a steep […]

This is the smaller of  two man-made lakes in Governor Dodge State Park.  Cox Hollow is a pleasant paddle that has abundant wildlife (blue herons, eagles, clams, snails, turtles and much more from what I saw).  This and it’s sibling lake, Twin Valley, prohibit motor traffic, which is always a very big plus when it […]

Upper Dells – 1

The most famous section of the Wisconsin River is in the Wisconsin Dells area.  This is commonly divided into ‘Lower Dells’ (below the Kilbourn Dam) and ‘Upper Dells’ (above the Kilbourn Dam).  And in the Upper Dells you can kind of divide that in half….this review will be about that upstream half.  The put in […]

Wisconsin River – Castle Rock

This is a tweener section of the Wisconsin River between the string of dams up-north (which makes those sections largely un-kayakable) and the Dells.  While lacking the quantity of rock formations downstream, this is a pleasant section with mostly wooded banks, some development, and a number of sandbars and sloughs.  The start of this trip […]

Baraboo River – La Valle

This is a nice little section of the Baraboo River between the city of La Valle and a take-out near Lake Redstone.  Put in at the main boat ramp on the west end of town.  You can’t park at the bar there…but have to drive a block north and park at the bike park where […]

For the most part, despite it’s clean water and scenery, the Menominee River isn’t a super hotspot for canoes and kayaks.  The issues are the many dams and the few rough rapids in between.   One of the most popular sections is from Niagara, Wisconsin to Piers Gorge Park (roughly three miles).  There is a trail […]

Fox River – Swan Lake

Despite being only an hour drive from Madison, the upper Fox River tends not to be super popular with most kayakers.  This is the same historic Fox that runs right west into Portage and then north towarda Green Bay.  Mike Svob reviews two sections from the canal downstream (which I hope to run eventually), but […]

Originating from a chain of lakes in the Madison area, the Yahara is very popular with locals.  It’s not a super long river and has a number of dams, so there aren’t that many navigable areas before it reaches the Rock River.  The most popular section is from the site of the old Stebbinsville Dam […]

This ‘creek’ is probably one of the best kayaking prospects in southern Wisconsin.  Quite large, the Badfish Creek should perhaps instead be referred to more accurately as Yahara West.  This was kayaked during the height of the 2012 drought, and we had little problems with navigation.  The key thing to know, of course, about this […]

Lemonweir River – Mouth

Again, if you’ve read my previous review of the Lemonweir you know there are three segments below Mauston and to the Wisconsin River based on the landing options:  a five mile section, a ~14 mile section, and then a remaining 5 mile section to the Wisconsin.  This review will be of that last section.  You […]

Horicon Marsh

This is a trip that takes a lot of planning to get right.  Basically, the Horicon area is a drained swamp that has been artificially restored by a dam near the center of the city of Horicon.  As you probably know, this is a VERY popular area for birds.  While there are different canoe/kayak options, […]

Honey Creek – County C

After the Baraboo River, the next largest tributary in Sauk County flowing into the Wisconsin River is Honey Creek, which gets to a decent size before it empties into the Wisconsin near Ferry Bluff/Prairie du Sac.  The bottom section (about 5 miles up from the Wisconsin River) gets an odd canoe review or two, but […]

Lemonweir River – Mauston

This is probably not one of the more well known rivers, but it is very nice never-the-less.  It empties into the Wisconsin River just north of the Dells rock formations.  The upper sections are absolutely not as popular as the lower sections.  Mike Svob does review one such section north of New Lisbon, but it […]

Upper Spring Brook

If you plan on kayaking in the Dells/Lake Delton area, chances are you’ll do either Mirror Lake, the Upper Dells, the lower Dells, or even Lake Delton.  Somewhat of a secret that most paddlers don’t know about is Spring Brook, which is a very cool creek north of Dell Creek and empties into Lake Delton […]

Baraboo River – Wonewoc

This is as about upstream as you can get on the Baraboo. I believe you can put in further upstream (it seems deep enough…barely) but the main shuttle company in the area doesn’t like to because the river cuts through a golf course and their insurance company won’t cover this. This section is cleared out […]

Wisconsin River – Prairie du Sac Dam

From the Prairie du Sac Dam to the Mississippi River is probably Wisconsin’s most popular all-around canoe and kayak destination (well…if not top, tied with the Kickapoo and St. Croix for popularity). A number of reasons why this section is so popular: It is not impeded by any dams Great sandbars (at least after Ferry […]

One of the most under-rated paddling prospects in southern Wisconsin is Lake Redstone.  On the face of it…this wouldn’t seem like a good paddling prospect.  It’s merely a very large (more-so long) man-made lake with no helping current, little public property, lots of development and lots of power boats.  But what makes this lake unique […]

Pine River – Far Upper

The Pine River is an interesting prospect located between the Kickapoo River and Baraboo River, perhaps overlooked by so many river reviewers because Wisconsin already has three other rivers named ‘Pine River’ (one of which is a popular paddling location). The cool thing about the Pine River is the rock formations that run along the […]

Baraboo River: Giese Park to Gander World

A popular add-on trip to the city of Baraboo section.  There are no rapids, but there it was still a pleasant section of the river with a few rock outcrops.

In terms of popularity the Kickapoo is one of the most popular canoe and kayak rivers in Wisconsin. Probably doesn’t have quite the rental volume of the lower Wisconsin River, but certainly has the highest paddler to river mile ratio in the state. What makes the Kickapoo attractive is the relatively clean water (at least […]

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

There are a number of paddling opportunities on Lake Superior, but by far and away the best section is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and surrounding area, which will be touched on in detail below. Kayaking on Lake Superior is obviously very different from river paddling, as the water can get very cold and the […]

This is a very good route and in fact would be a great introductory route for somebody who just purchased a kayak or is new to the sport. The only downsides are slow current and ‘people issues’ during the weekends, but all in all this is very nice. The water is pretty clean for the […]

Blackhawk Island

A very nice trip in and of itself is the Blackhawk Island loop. It’s about 2.5 miles and the current isn’t too bad. The west side is protected from the big boats because it is relatively shallow (although private boats/jet skies can be a nuisance on the northwest side). The east side is the main […]

Rick Kark’s Guide to Canoeing and Kayaking in Wisconsin

Rick kark’s canoeing & kayaking guide.

Explore Rick Kark’s chronicles of his paddling adventures from canoeing & kayaking on 309 Wisconsin rivers and streams, broken into seven geographic sections.

Paddling Northwestern Wisconsin

• Fishing Opener

Favorite Spots To Canoe and Kayak in Northern Wisconsin

You are sure to find some incredible places to canoe and kayak in Northern Wisconsin that rival the best spots in the upper Midwest. 

The area’s special outdoor appeal and attractions draw people from various places, thanks to its numerous rivers and lakes. It’s no wonder Northern Wisconsin is a top destination for enjoying water activities and having a great time on the beautiful waterways.

Some of the famed water destinations in the region double as marvelous fishing grounds for bass, trout, and many other species of fish. Others take paddlers on an adventure that ends in the majestic Lake Superior or old campgrounds that have preserved their history and rustic appeal. 

Check out the region’s best spots for getting your canoeing and kayaking fix. 

Chippewa County

Due to the many beautiful lakes and streams that blanket the Chippewa area, selecting one to canoe or kayak can be difficult. To help paddlers out and to get you to one of the hidden spots in the county, put these three lakes on your “Go” list.

These lakes are some of the best places to kayak and canoe in Chippewa County. 

After a short drive down a dirt road, adventurers will come across the beautiful Howe Lake. Howe Lake is nestled back in the country, allowing for a relaxing and quiet place to explore the great outdoors. 

Because of the lake’s small size, it takes only a few hours to explore the entire lake and all it offers. For those who enjoy fishing, Howe Lake is a great place to cast out a line for largemouth bass, northern pike, and panfish.

Popple Lake

Located in Jim Falls, WI, the beautiful Popple Lake is a paddler’s paradise. Popple Lake is a 94-acre lake filled with largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish, and walleye, which makes it a great place to spend the day fishing. Of course, the lake’s 25-foot depth is also conducive for some safe and peaceful canoeing and kayaking in Wisconsin.  

Popple Lake is a small and quiet lake which means it takes just a few hours to paddle around in either a kayak or canoe. A public boat landing makes the lake accessible to all travelers looking for a serene time on their kayaks or canoes. 

Glen Loch Lake

Glen Loch Lake is the perfect place to spend the day kayaking and canoeing in Wisconsin! 

Glen Loch Lake can be accessed through Erikson Park in Chippewa Falls, WI. Erikson Park has a beautiful boat ramp and handicap-accessible docks with a kayak launch. 

These amenities allow everyone to enjoy all Glen Loch has to offer. Spend a few hours kayaking around Glen Loch and upstream to explore Duncan Creek to take in the great outdoors.

Howe, Popple, and Glen Loch Lakes are all great places to explore in your kayak or canoe. Plan a trip to Chippewa County soon to check out these three beautiful lakes, and enjoy a relaxing weekend in the great outdoors. 

Chippewa County has miles of rivers and streams and 446 more lakes to explore. Visit gochippewacounty.com to request a guide.

Ashland County

When visiting Madeline Island, take advantage of the beautiful scenery and canoeing opportunities at the Lagoon. The Lagoon is located in LaPointe Town Park and makes Ashland County one of the most special kayak and canoe spots in the region.

There are canoes for rent, and it’s all on the honor system — pretty sweet!

All in all, the Lagoon in Ashland County is a natural area where you can paddle, fish, and enjoy the rugged scenery. This little hidden gem on the island is enough reason to visit the county even if you just want to take in its rugged outdoor charm. 

Book your next trip to Ashland County and paddle and fish to your heart’s delight. Visit www.visitashland.com and book your tour now!

Iron County

Sometimes a little peace and quiet is all you need, and in Iron County, paddling the lakes and rivers is the best way to paddle your way to serenity!

A mix of thrills and serenity awaits you when you visit Iron County. This part of the region is home to two rivers that guarantee a kayaking journey filled with some of the finest natural scenery you can find in Northern Wisconsin. 

Turtle River

The Turtle River in Mercer, WI, is 27 miles of beautiful scenery. Enjoy paddling the calm waters and enjoying the wildlife Mercer has to offer.

A short drive to the little town of Mercer, WI, gets you access to the Turtle River. Turtle River flows from Cedar Lake and traverses the Northwoods of Wisconsin, making it one of the most scenic canoe and kayak spots in the county and region. 

Montreal River

The Montreal River is among the handful of the world’s rivers that flow northward. It was well known to the Native Americans. In fact, the Chippewa called it “Kawasiji-wangsepi,” also called the White Falls River or “where there is a strong foaming current in the river.”

It is located in Hurley and Montreal, and it’s definitely a must-paddle destination!

Sawyer County

The Chippewa River near the Ojibwa stretch of the Tuscobia State Trail is great for canoeing and kayaking. The Brunet River — east of Winter — offers low rapids to paddlers. The river shows an amazing array of moods, from whitewater to slow, gentle curves and pools.

Washburn County

Are you looking for a calm and pristine place to canoe and kayak? Look no further than Washburn County!

Washburn County is home to one of the most peaceful outdoor spots for kayakers and canoe riders — the Birchwood Canoe Routes. Referred to as the “mini boundary waters,” the Birchwood Canoe Routes lie in the Sawmill Lake Primitive Area and offer the perfect spot to enjoy the solitude of a back-country experience just a little closer to home.

The Sawmill Lake Primitive Area is made up of roughly 16,000 acres of land owned by Washburn County, and much of it is designated as non-motorized. 

Nestled deep in the woods, just north of Birchwood, the area offers a primitive campground and two canoe portage trails. The area is well known for the high density of glacial lakes and incredible fishing opportunities with an abundance of bass and panfish.

Paddle Your Way to Adventure and Tranquility in Northern Wisconsin

Northern Wisconsin has something for every outdoor enthusiast who wants to treat the region’s calm and serene waters. Whether it’s fishing or kayaking, you’ll never be out of options when you visit Northern Wisconsin. 

What are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to Northern Wisconsin and prepare for the paddler’s paradise that awaits you! 

• Paddle Reports
• Paddle Guides
• 5 ★ Paddles
• 4 ★ Paddles
• 3 ★ Paddles
• 2 ★ Paddles
• 1 ★ Paddles
• Water Trail Guide
• Apostle Islands
• Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area
• Black River
• Bois Brule River
• Brunet Island State Park
• Buckhorn State Park
• Central Sands of the Wisconsin River
• Chippewa Flowage
• Chippewa River
• East Branch of the Pecatonica River
• East Fork of the Black River
• Flambeau River
• Goose Island County Park
• Kickapoo River
• Lake Michigan State Water Trail
• Lake Superior Water Trail
• Lower Wisconsin Riverway
• Manitowish River
• Mississippi River
• Namekagon River
• North Branch of the Oconto River
• Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
• Peshtigo River
• Peshtigo River State Forest
• Popple River
• Rock Island State Park
• St. Croix River
• Turtle-Flambeau Flowage
• Upper Wisconsin River
• Willow Flowage
• Gear Reviews
• Spreadshirt Shop
• Threadless Shop

Paddle Wisconsin Interactive Map

Based on information from “Rick Kark’s Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to 309 Wisconsin Streams” as well as our own Milespaddled.com trip reports, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire your next paddle. It’s obvious that a lot of time and love went into this endeavor – big applause River Alliance – and thank you!

Check it out here or click on the big ol’ map below…

You Might Also Like

RootsRated.com

Miles Paddled T-Shirt Shop

No comments, leave a reply cancel reply.

Discover more from Miles Paddled

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Come on down by the River!

Wisconsin Riverside Resort, located on the beautiful Lower Wisconsin River, has been providing recreation services since 1961.

THE RIVER ROOM

• Serves up to 350 people
• Breathtaking river view
• Great for weddings, family reunions, graduation parties, holiday parties, company events and more

Resort Details

Set on the Wisconsin River, this casual resort is 2 miles from the Spring Green Golf Course, 4 miles from the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center and 10 miles from the House on the Rock.

RV and tent camping, rustic cabins, swim pool & splash pad, canoe, tube and kayak trips on the Wisconsin River, Liza’s Lagoon – a swimming pond complete with slide, trampoline, and other fun inflatables.

Enjoy your favorite drink and frequent entertainment on our patio while watching the river go by.  The beautiful restaurant and bar serves up some awesome drinks and great eats.  Join us for daily lunch specials, salad bar and many drink specials during the week.  Check out the 3,000 gallon fish tank filled with local fish. 

Host an event at our large banquet hall that overlooks the Wisconsin River and creates the perfect backdrop for your wedding or special event.

Outdoor pool

Pet-friendly

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Message

How long a river experience are you looking for?

What’s your idea of the “perfect trip”, are you thinking canoe or kayak, how “away” are you looking to get , single day trips.

Enjoy an afternoon (3ish hours) or entire day (6ish hours) lounging on the sand bars of the Wisconsin River while you lunch, fish and swim from your discovered “special spot.” Finish at your vehicle (Land, Load and Leave) and move on to your next adventure in the Driftless area.

2 Day, 1 Night Trips

Never canoe/kayak camped or looking for a quick getaway that will rejuvenate and help you escape the busy outside world on our secluded stretch of the wide, shallow, sandy Wisconsin River? An overnight trip might just be the ticket. You’ll never want to car camp again after a night on your own sand bar!

3 Day, 2 Night Trips

A great way to extend a weekend or simply give you more time to enjoy and connect with what the Wisconsin River has to offer. Don’t be too bashful about distance, that middle day will allow you to cover a lot of water. There’ll be a lot of long sighs during your trip as you melt into the experience.

4+ Day Trips

For the true adventurer with time and desire! Once you get over the logistics of planning a long trip, the rest is easy. Surrender yourself to the river, and the rewards you will reap! We put out about 100 canoes a year on these longer trips…NO one comes back disappointed. And that shower when you get home…priceless!

 About Our Canoe Rentals

Rent one of our lightweight 16′ Wenonah canoes for half a day or up to 7 days paddling a section of the Lower Wisconsin River. With the river current rolling along at roughly 3 mph, it will take approximately 30 hours to paddle the entire 92 miles of the Lower Wisconsin River, should that be your goal. See more about the “hardest working river in the country” here .

Camp Along the Way on the Sand Bars

Camp on the sand bars in the center of the river along the way. No permits are needed. Glass, styrofoam and fireworks are strictly prohibited and there is a hefty fine for those who don’t adhere to the policy courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Please practice “ Leave No Trace ” ethics on the river.

You will not find better primitive camping within the Midwest! PERIOD!  You’ll be too spoiled to ever consider car camping again.

About our Canoes

We have worked very hard since 2003 to provide the best canoes available in the state of Wisconsin. We chose the manufacturer that provides the bulk of the canoes for the Boundary Waters and has been tested over time…Wenonah Canoe, made in the U.S.A. We’ve settled on the Adirondack model, 16′ long, quiet roylex construction, comfortable webbed seats and light weight. If you’ve never paddled a higher end canoe you will be surprised by what you’ve been missing. Everyday we have folks come off the water amazed at the difference a canoe can make for their paddle experience.

Canoe Rental Rates

Our canoes are designed to hold 2 adults and 1 child under 70 lbs. The rental rate includes:

• life vests (PFD) (sizes: Infant, 30-50lbs, 50-90lbs, adult universal, Super Grande (50″+ chest)
• transportation up or down river
• Boscobel Land/Launch Fees
• any additional vehicles that will incur an additional transport fee
• We expect if anyone in your group has their own boat(s), they will pay the appropriate fee

Organizing a large group?   Download our helpful hints for planning.

The Best Location: Boscobel, WI

If you are looking for:

•  a quiet and remote stretch of river to paddle
• fewer canoes and people on the river
• generally, your own sand bar to camp on
• at the end of your trip be able to paddle up to your vehicle on your own timeline and pack up and head home without a bus ride back up river (Land, Load, Leave)

Then Boscobel is the stretch of river you want to paddle on. Boscobel is located approximately 90 minutes west of Madison, WI.

Payment Info

Reservations are taken with balance due on Visa, MasterCard or Discover. 100% refund to a WRO gift card should you or WRO need to cancel your trip, unless you’ve purchased Trip Cancellation Protection . See the detailed policy here .

Once your paddle hits the water, there are no refunds or credits.

• Burnt Rollways Boat Hoist
• Cedar Falls Campground
• Wisconsin River Canoe Trail
• Wisconsin River Reservoir System Recreation
• Recreational Facilities Assistance Program
• Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board

   Wisconsin River Centennial Canoe Trail                                             The Wisconsin River Centennial Trail was established in 2007 to commemorate WVIC’s 100th year of coordinating flow on the Wisconsin. The primary purpose of the trail is to provide users of the Wisconsin River information and visual representation of all the portages on the Wisconsin River along with descriptions of amenities along the river important to canoeists and kayakers.  Originally, 23 maps were developed to cover the entire river, and 27 aerial maps of individual portages were developed with assistance provided by member companies. Permission was obtained from several townships, counties, communities and the State of Wisconsin to place mile marker signs at obvious landmarks along the river. 56 mile marker signs were placed from Lac Vieux Desert down to Prairie du Sac. The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board denied permission to place any signs in the LWSR. Signs were placed at take-out locations at every portage, on several bridges or on the right-of-way, and at other locations where placement was advantageous to river users.   In 2020, staff completed an update of the entire information network and mapping system for the WVIC Wisconsin River Centennial Trail.  The new system includes an interactive GIS mapping application system with information for recreational users embedded into the mapping system.  The new system allows extended customization for using and printing the data.  There are still information sheets available for each "stretch” of river as was initially done and the portage maps have been updated and represented in color.  The .pdfs are available for individual download on the bottom of this page and are also embedded into the mapping system for an interactive experience.  Additions to the system include USGS gauges with links for flows as well as added amenities and recreational opportunities represented along the river.  The GIS application is also usable on mobile devices with which you can use your location to place yourself on the river and in relation to any nearby amenities, campsites or other features.  Please take some time to explore the new system and feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback.    

• All information sheets, attractions, campgrounds etc.. have been updated on the new interactive GIS map.  There have also been new attractions and features added to the map such as USGS gauges for flow information.
• All information is embedded/linked into the map to help you interactively plan a canoe trip and print your desired information. 
• The old style overview maps were not duplicated; rather, you can print any extent of the map you choose using the application, making it customizable to your specific trip.  Just zoom to the extent you would like to print, and click on the print icon.  *Note: not all features on the map are visible when zoomed out.
• You can access the information sheet for each section of river by zooming out until you see the orange boxes delineating the sections of river.  Click inside the orange box, then on the "more info" link to view the complete information sheet for that river section.  All of the information sheets are interactive with hyperlinks as well.
• Customize your planning/viewing by changing the basemap.
• Use the "track location" icon to pinpoint your location with your phone or other device while you are planning or out on the river to help you track your progress and plan your stops!
• Use the legend to differentiate between Point of Interests.

All old information for the Centennial Trail is available in the graphic below:

15 Great Kayaking Spots in Door County and Green Bay, Wisconsin

W isconsin is a beautiful state and with each trip back we find new, fun things to do. Kayaking in Door County and the Green Bay area are great activities for spring through fall. The peninsula of Door County , along with the city of Green Bay, contains endless nature sights to be enjoyed from the viewpoint of a kayak. Calm waters, lots of wildlife, and breathtaking coastlines are just a few of the many reasons that loyal paddlers continue to visit every year. And lighthouses, but you probably know that’s why I fell in love with Door County.

Ideal for families and novice paddlers, this northern section of Lake Michigan is perfect for any kayaker looking for a memorable day on the water. To get you started, we’ve compiled the fifteen best kayaking spots in Door County, Green Bay and nearby State Parks. If you’re looking for a week of paddling or just a fun afternoon on the water, this list is guaranteed to have something to make your trip to Green Bay or Door County one to remember. We’re confident that you won’t regret making this pristine section of Lake Michigan your next kayaking destination.

If you have any questions or want to shout out your own recommendations for kayaking in Door County, please leave a comment or send us a note . We’ve got lots of tips for the best food in Door County , Wisconsin road trips and more, so are always happy to share a little extra!

Best Kayaking Spots in Door County

The peninsula of Door County, dividing the waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay, has recently adopted a reputation amongst paddlers as one of the most peaceful kayaking destinations around. The region hosts many interesting and exciting features that paddlers can spend days exploring. With caves, shipwrecks, cliffs, wetlands, and hidden swimming holes, Door County is quickly becoming a kayaking hotspot. 

Cave Point for Intermediate Kayaking

After conquering the open waters of Lake Michigan, Cave Point rewards paddlers with a unique opportunity to explore some stunning sea caves. You’ll quickly understand why the geographical features at Cave Point have attracted so many kayakers. For paddlers with little open water experience, we recommend that you join one of the many Cave Point tours offered at the park in order to safely navigate the crossing.

The reason this is considered an intermediate kayaking spot is because of the nature of open water kayaking on Lake Michigan. The winds and currents can be surprising, including the waves that are often created. Summertime storms can also present a challenge.

Launch Site:

• Cave Point County Park

Bailey’s Harbor for Shipwrecks

For kayakers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Bailey’s Harbor is a mandatory stop in Door County. While paddling throughout the waters of the harbor, kayakers can witness some of the 250 shipwrecks littered throughout the bay. Numerous outfitters offer clear-bottom kayaks for rent as well as guided tours to point out some of the best wrecks.

• Baileys Harbor Town Marina or Baileys Harbor Ridges Park

Kangaroo Lake for Fall Colors

Nearby Bailey’s Harbor, paddlers can find the beautiful inland Kangaroo lake. For a quiet paddling experience, we recommend exploring the north end of the lake as it is a designated “no motor zone”. The calm waters provide the perfect conditions for exploring the lake and its wildlife.

*SUP Friendly Paddling

• Kangaroo Lake Public Boat Launch

Gills Rock (Difficulty: Novice)

If you only have time to visit one spot in Door County, we recommend the historic area of Gills Rock. This spot has everything. Starting from an old fishing village, kayakers have the opportunity to see jaw-dropping bluffs, forgotten shipwrecks, incredible caves, and historic pictographs believed to be over 350 years old!

This is a bucket list kayaking spot for the State of Wisconsin, and is best in early summer before summer storms really start up and before Door County tourism is at its annual peak.

• Weborg Dock and Boat Ramp

Moonlight Bay to Rieboldt Creek

Perfect for beginners, this area between Lake Michigan and Mud Lake is the ideal spot for wilderness exploration. The waters contain an assorted collection of wildlife and waterfowl that can be seen while paddling throughout the passage’s calm, tranquil waters.  

There’s also the Cana Island Lighthouse just to the east, so paddling around the small peninsula will not just show off the beautiful shoreline and wildlife, but adds a historic stone lighthouse.

• Bues Point Boat Ramp

Best Kayaking Spots in Green Bay

One of the best spots to start exploring the western arm of Lake Michigan is the city of Green Bay itself. Many of the rivers branching off of Lake Michigan offer calm waters and rich scenery while paddling throughout the city’s downtown area. In addition to the urban landscape, every river features a magnificent collection of remote wilderness to be discovered. And, after exploring the calm creeks and rivers, paddlers can either venture into the open waters of the Bay or challenge themselves with some exciting nearby whitewater runs.

Kayaking on the Calm Fox River

Located in the heart of downtown Green Bay, Fox River is an urban paddler’s dream come true. Since Fox River extends all the way from Lake Winnebago up to Green Bay, kayakers are in for a combined urban and rural paddling treat. In some areas, you’ll be surrounded by dense woodlands while other parts of the river will drop you right in the heart of the historic city. This is great, SUP friendly water to paddle on in Green Bay.

• Kayakers Point, east side of river

Green Bay’s East River Kayaking

Often overlooked, even by local paddlers, the East River offers another fantastic opportunity to combine urban and rural kayaking.  With so many launch sites, paddlers can pick the exact type of adventure they want. Launching in the city of Green Bay will feature many of the same urban sights as the Fox while putting-in further South in Allouez allows for complete immersion in Green Bay’s wilderness. Some of the many species of birds known to live in the area include blue jays, cardinals, and kingfishers.

• Green Isle Park or Riverview Park

Easy Paddling at Deerfield Docks Park

For a great all-around family day-trip, Deerfield Docks Park is one of the best spots for kayaking in the Green Bay area. This 3-acre park features a boardwalk trail, picnic area, and offshore fishing. Also, from the boat launch, kayakers can access both the marshy Duck Creek and the gorgeous Peats Lake. Countless smaller passages and ponds make this kayaking launch a great place to explore.

*SUP Friendly Paddling BUT this area has a lot of lake weeds so your fin may drag a bit from time to time.

• Deerfield Docks Park

Peshtigo River (Difficulty: Experienced)

For paddlers looking for the best whitewater run in all of Wisconsin, that’s gonna be the Peshtigo River. This exciting 5-mile run features continuous rapids ranging from Class II to Class IV with lots of fun waves, chutes, holes and eddies. During the calm parts of the run keep an eye out for beavers, otters, and white-tailed deer that live in the area. This is NOT for novice paddlers and it’s HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you plan to go with a guide or another experienced kayaker.

• Farmdam Lane Loop

Pick-up Site:

• Boat Landing 12 or Boat Landing 11 Loop

Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve (Difficulty: Novice)

One of the coolest spots for kayaking near Green Bay and Door County is Dead Horse Bay. Here you can launch and paddle south to Long Tail Point Beach and then continue by checking out the Long Tail Point Lighthouse . Built in 1847 and since abandoned and all but destroyed, the lighthouse ruins stand on the sandbar in the lake, perfect to see from a kayak. It’s pretty cool

After kayaking visit the 920-acre Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve which is located on the western shore of Green Bay and has some of the best wildlife viewing in the area. The Park features over nine miles of hiking trails throughout wetlands, forests, and meadows creating an unparalleled wildlife viewing experience. You can’t kayak within the preserve, but you can go birdwatching from the platforms, which is just a different sort of enjoyment.

• West Shores Boat Launch

Wisconsin State Park Paddling

Wisconsin State Parks are beautiful, and you’ll find such different sights than other state parks in places like Florida parks or in Washington State . Here, you’ll find cliffs and freshwater bays, with wetlands, historic structures and so much more.

Peninsula State Park

In the heart of Door County, Peninsula State Park is not only beautiful but also easily accessible. During a trip to Peninsula, paddlers can make day trips to a number of popular spots including Chambers Island, Horseshoe Island, Eagles Cave, and the Eagle Bluff lighthouse. Kayakers should also be on the lookout for bald eagles as there are many nests throughout the park.

My favorite thing to do at Peninsula State Park isn’t actually kayaking, but it’s going up on the skywalk. This incredible boardwalk leads to the treetops and brings you to an awesome view of Lake Michigan / Green Bay. There’s a ton to do at Peninsula State Park, so after kayaking explore more!

• Nicolet Bay Boat Launch

Newport State Park

Also in Door County, Newport is another park that can keep paddlers busy for days. The park is located on the border of the Mink River Estuary, Lake Michigan, and Europe Lake offering countless spots to explore. Many of these spots can be easily tackled in a day-trip but for the more adventurous kayakers, the availability of campsites and world-renowned stargazing at Newport makes the recipe for an incredible multi-day adventure.

• Newport State Park Beach or Liberty Grove Park

Peshtigo Harbor State Wildlife Area

Found on the western side of Green Bay, Peshtigo Harbor State Wildlife was established in order to, “enhance wildlife habitat, protect natural communities, and provide nature-based recreation”. Kayakers can explore this rich wildlife area on their own or choose to follow one of the many established self-guided water trails.

Following established paddling trails is a very good way to ensure that you’re having a minimal impact on the wildlife and environment when paddling. Also, if you’re new to kayaking in an area, following the set kayaking routes ensures you have a more safe experience.

• Peshtigo River Ramp

High Cliff State Park

For paddlers searching for a calm day of kayaking away from the waters of Lake Michigan, High Cliff State Park is a must-visit. On the calm waters of Lake Winnebago, kayakers can spend a few hours leisurely exploring the lake at their own pace. Features of High Cliff include a 40-foot lookout tower, 200-foot bluffs, and incredible cliff ledges.

• Beach at High Cliff State Park or High Cliff State Park Marina

Potawatomi State Park

One of the larger state parks with a staggering area of 1200 acres, Door County’s Ponawatomi State Park is an optimal spot for wilderness lovers. The park is known for its mighty limestone cliffs, rolling hills, and diverse collection of wildlife. While on the water, kayakers could spot herons, bald eagles, deer, raccoons, and much more.

• Shoreline Boat Launch

Tours for Kayaking in Door County and Green Bay

Even though many of the best places to kayaking Door County and Green Bay are pretty mellow, there are some more technical paddles, and also routes that can confuse unfamiliar visitors, especially in wetland areas. Booking a kayaking tour is a great idea if you’re not well versed in a region, even if the difficulty level is appropriate for beginners.

Cave Point Kayak Tour

This is the perfect tour for kayakers who want to experience the majestic cliffs and caves at Cave Point but might be uncomfortable with the open waters of Lake Michigan. Paddle with confidence as experienced guides navigate the crossing and lead you to the famous spot. 

Book the Cave Point Kayak Tour here!

Death’s Door Bluff Kayak Tour

With scenic bluffs, shipwrecks, rock cairns, and historic pictographs, this combined hiking and kayaking tour offers a fantastic adventure in Door County. In addition to certified guides, the tour includes everything from meals to paddling gear.

Book the Death’s Door Bluff Kayak Tour here!

Door County’s Wetlands Tour

This family-friendly paddling tour will guide paddlers throughout the wetlands of Door County led by an expert guide with knowledge of the area’s wildlife. There are many species of wildlife to see in the area including swans, bald eagles, and blue herons. Overall, a great trip for learning about the wetland ecosystem.

This tour is only bookable when the season starts: Door County Wetlands Kayaking Tour

Weather and When to Visit Door County / Green Bay

Like most of the paddling spots in the Great Lakes, the best time of the year to plan your kayaking trip is in the warmer summer months. However, the waters take a while to warm up with temperatures still ranging between 40-50º F in June. That means hypothermia can still represent a serious risk if submerged for extended periods of time. On the other hand, July and August are the warmest months of the year with water temperatures in the 60s.

While planning paddling trips in the area, it is always important to check wind speed and direction before every launch. Offshore winds can make it difficult to paddle back and high speeds can whip up potentially hazardous waves. Kayakers should always wear their PFD in case of changing weather conditions. 11

Annual Door County Sea Kayak Symposium

To join one of the most inclusive kayaking communities in Wisconsin, don’t miss the Sea Kayak Symposium in Door County. This year marks the 19th annual Symposium and on the weekend of July 8th, paddlers from all over convene to experience these majestic waters as a family. With tours, classes, group seminars, and evening bonfires, the weekend’s events have been designed to provide an unforgettable paddling experience for kayakers of any experience level. Click the link below to learn more about joining a kayaking community like no other.

• Website: https://www.rutabaga.com/dcskspage

With Green Bay and Door County quickly gaining popularity through word of mouth in kayaking circles, it’s only a matter of time before the waters are filled with paddlers from all over North America. Don’t wait for another season to take advantage of these extraordinary paddling opportunities. There are few places in the world where you can find shipwrecks, pictographs, urban river paddling, and whitewater runs all in the same place. We can’t wait to be back out on the water and we hope to see you there!