The lower Black runs past scenic forests, meadows, rock formations, & wooded islands. Below Black River Falls, the river is shallow, calm, and slow with sandy beaches and sandbars forming during normal summer flows. A great flatwater paddle on warm, sunny days...
The 'River of Presidents' offers beautiful small-river scenery, consistent flows, and a diverse character that provides fun trips for paddlers of all skill levels. From crystal clear quietwater, to miles of riffles and easy rapids, to fun stretches of challenging class II's...
The Brule provides a scenic float through a remote wilderness setting on an intimate, small-river. Development is minimal and road bridges are few and far between. All combine to provide a relaxing, 'get-away-from-it-all' experience for canoers and kayakers.
The wide and scenic Chippewa flows through a rural countryside of hardwood forests, meadows, dairy farms, and agricultural communities. Birch, oak, maple, basswood, aspen, and conifers often canopy the shoreline. The river is popular for its excellent fishing. Anglers will find Musky, Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and a variety of Pan Fish.
This reach of the Eau Claire River is one of the better class II-III whitewater runs in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, water levels in the lower half are often too shallow to paddle during most of the summer. But when conditions are right, the four-mile stretch from the Eau Claire Dells to the Lower Island Dells are a wavy thrill-ride for whitewater enthusiasts, especially those who are expanding their skill set.
A popular paddling destination in northern Wisconsin that features long stretches of flatwater and several segments of class II whitewater. There are 14, widely dispersed, canoe campsites where the river flows though the Flambeau River State Forest. Combined with minimal development and beautiful wilderness scenery, the North Fork is a wonderful choice for multi-day trips.
The river offers scenic wilderness paddling with long stretches of quietwater and several class I & class II rapids occuring in the middle and lower reaches. The lower reach also features Slough Gundy Rapids (class II-III) and Little Falls (class IV), a popular short-run for experienced paddlers...
Beautiful quietwater with narrow channels and a wonderful variety of scenery, incuding pine and hardwood forests, spruce bog, marshlands, and lake chains. Numerous Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest canoe campsites make this river popular for multi-day trips...
Piers Gorge is a short, high-adrenaline action run featuring a class IV drop named Missicot Falls, and several class II and class III rapids, all in one of the most beautiful river-gorge settings in the Midwest. Water levels are controlled by the Little Quinnesec Falls Dam, which generally has a steady release rate for fairly consistent whitewater throughout the warm-weather season.
This is one of the more memorable whitewater runs in Wisconsin, a 2.2-mile stretch through the narrow Montreal River Canyon, where conglomerate and sandstone walls tower up to 200 feet above the river. The scenery is among the best in the upper-Midwest and is unlike anything else in the region. Long stretches of class II and class III rapids will challenge intermediates with several fun playboating holes for advanced paddlers.
One of Wisconsin's premier flatwater rivers, immensely popular for multi-day paddle trips. Beginning at Namekagon Lake, the river starts out as a small cold-water trout stream. Then meanders through northern lowland forest, bog-and-fen, and open marsh. Numerous islands populate the river.
One of the most popular whitewater rafting and kayaking rivers in the upper Midwest. The section named 'Roaring Rapids' is four miles of nearly continuous Class II to Class IV whitewater, a magnet for intermediate & advanced paddlers looking for exciting challenges. Several large outfitters in the immediate vicinity provide guided rafting trips, shuttle services, canoe and kayak rentals, camping and other fun outdoor adventures.
The Pike River flows through scenic pine and hardwood forests with several stretches of riffles, low-hazard rapids, and scenic rock formations. The river is protected by the Wisconsin Wild Rivers Act of 1965, which has greatly restricted riverside development.
Flatwater enthusiasts will enjoy this stretch, it is easily accessible with very consistent flow. A short pitch of riffles and an easy class I rapids are the only "whitewater" between the Highway N Bridge and the Menominee River confluence. Hemlock, pine, birch, and quaking aspen surround the river.
Mile after mile of beautiful wilderness scenery on a narrow river. Novice whitewater paddlers will enjoy the occasional class I and class II rapids in the section below the FR 2398 Bridge. Intermediate paddlers will like the several class III rapids and falls below the Morgan Lake Road Bridge when river levels are adequate.
This short stretch of the Red River serves up a fun, intermediate whitewater run that usually has a reliable flow when other rivers are running low. There are several rapids that offer excellent play opportunities to practice and perfect your whitewater skills. The most consistent play-spots are at Zeimer's Falls (Class III) and Second Drop Rapids (class I-II). Both feature nice surf waves and fun holes.
The St Croix is one of the most popular and scenic paddling destinations in the Upper Midwest. Designated a National Scenic Riverway, the river flows through large tracts of hardwood and pine forests and the USFS maintains many canoe campsites along the river.
An often overlooked gem a few miles south of Minocqua. This appealing, small-river run features long stretches of flatwater with occasional riffles and one stretch of whitewater named Halfbreed Rapids, a rocky class II. Most of the river is narrow with a current that varies from slow to medium speeds.
Meandering, twisting, and remote. These words describe the White River from Maple Ridge Road to Highway 112. This is a fantastic reach for novice paddlers who enjoy small-river paddling, riffley waters, and low-hazard rapids. The riffles and rapids seem to occur around every other bend in the final seven miles.
Sandbar Camping at its best!! Slow-moving waters, beautiful scenery, and hundreds of sandbars (normal summer flows) attract several hundred thousand paddlers each summer. Other features of the LWSR include easy shuttle routes, many shuttle and outfitter services, numerous landings with free (overnight) parking, free camping on sandbars and islands, and no dams or portages.
The 37-mile, upper-reach between Lily and Big Smokey Falls features a large number of boulder gardens, rapids, and waterfalls. Various segments are premier whitewater destinations for novice, intermediate, and advanced paddlers. Many of the rapids are in the class II to class III range with a few reaching class IV during normal summer flows.