Synopsis
Paddling the Namekagon River
The Namekagon is one of Wisconsin's premier flatwater, canoeing and kayaking rivers; immensely popular for multi-day paddle trips. Beginning at Namekagon Lake, the river starts out as a small cold-water trout stream and then meanders, narrow and intimate, through a varied landscape of northern lowland forest, bog-and-fen and open marsh. Numerous islands populate the river. Below Hayward, the river rushes through several low hazard whitewater rips between narrow, wooded banks. Occasionally the river settles into a lake environment, wide and slow, through open wetlands where birdlife is abundant.
After Springbrook Landing (N2/N3), the river is mostly flatwater with occasional riffles all the way down to the St Croix confluence.
Below the County K Landing in Segment N4, nearly all signs of human development disappear. Beautiful stands of quaking aspen, birch, oak and maple dominate the surrounding forest along with frequent stands of tall pines and spruce. The forest often canopies high sandy banks, especially on the outside of river-bends. Overall, the Namekagon presents a fantastic, mostly quiet-water float through the northwoods for single and multi-day excursions!
The rivers' habitat is home to an abundance of wildlife. Merganser, woodland duck, ruffed grouse, and bald eagle are occasionally spotted. You may also see, whitetail deer, black bear, otter, beaver (upper reaches), and if you're lucky a fox or a bobcat. The river's clean waters are thought to be home to more than forty different species of mussels. Anglers will find the cooler temperatures of the upper reaches of the Namekagon to be excellent for brook and brown trout. The river is also well known for smallmouth bass.
The Namekagon River was one of the eight original rivers to be designated as a protected area by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, which made the Namekagon part of the St Croix National Scenic Riverway. Since the enactment, a large number of buildings, cottages, homes and footbridges have been removed from the riverway. The removals are ongoing and are part of voluntary agreements with the National Park Service. In fact, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Park Service and the local communities, the river has seen a return to a 'near-original' state, and efforts continue today.
Glass beverage containers are prohibited on the riverway!
The National Park Service operates a Visitor Center in Trego, WI, which is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Alert From the National Park Service
Beginning in 2013, water will no longer be available at McDowell Bridge Landing, Riverside Landing, or the Marshland District Office on Highway 70. Please plan accordingly and bring an adequate supply of water.
Camping
Canoe/Kayak Camping
The Namekagon is the most popular and scenic river in northern Wisconsin for multi-day canoe/kayak camping trips for novice paddlers. The National Park Service maintains more than sixty individual and group campsites along the riverway. All sites include a clearing for tents (often shaded!), a fire-ring and a rustic toilet (bring toilet paper). Picnic tables are available at most of the campsites. Several of the sites are accessible by car, including: Earl Park, Howell Landing, and West Howell Landing.
Individual sites accommodate up to three tents and/or eight people, while the group sites hold up to six tents and/or sixteen people. There are no fees for accessing, camping, or parking in any of the National Scenic Riverway areas. There is a three night limit of stay. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No glass beverage containers are allowed on the riverway!
Campgrounds and Lodging
The Hayward Lakes region is one of the premier vacation areas in northern Wisconsin. There are a large number of motels, resorts and private campgrounds in the area. Visit one of the local chamber websites for more info.
For the Namekagon River, each segment webpage will have more details about local National Forest, State Park and County Park campgrounds.
Historical Note
Historically, the Namekagon was one of the most traveled rivers in the state. The river has provided an important segment of the river travel routes from northern Wisconsin to the St Croix River and on to the Mississippi River since the time when Native Americans first settled the region. Besides Native Americans; European explorers, fur traders, and missionaries traveled the river until the eventual arrival of the lumberjacks in the 1800's, when the loggers used the river to float timber down to the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers.
Season
The upper reaches (N1) are best in May and June, thereafter following an extended rainfall from July through September. The rest of the river is usually navigable throughout the warm-weather season.
