Paddle On! 5 Weekend Canoe Trips in Wisconsin

If you’re a paddler, Wisconsin has enough rivers and lakes to keep you adventure-fed for a lifetime. While daytrips are great, why not make a weekend of it and combine some time on the water with time around the fire with your favorite people? Here are a few great options that include both one-way river journeys and don’t-need-a-shuttle lake excursions. 

Wisconsin River

Sleep under the stars on the shore of the Wisconsin River. It is said you never step in the same river twice and that couldn’t be truer than with the Lower Wisconsin. The last 92 miles are unimpeded by dams from Prairie du Sac all the way to the Mississippi River at Wyalusing State Park. The sandbars come and go and parallel channels around forested islands allow you to choose between wide river and more secluded spots to camp out with friends.

You and your crew can rent kayaks or canoes from outfitters in Sauk City or Boscobel that sit right on the water. Much of the land along either bank is protected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and stops like Trader’s and the Wisconsin Riverside Resort offer camping areas along the way. And don't forget to bring the binoculars—you'll most likely see eagles and herons soaring along this scenic route.

Kickapoo River

You’d be hard pressed to find a more winding river in Wisconsin than this beginner-friendly water route popular for daytrippers who typically make the run from Ontario to Wildcat Mountain State Park. But if you paddle past this takeout point toward La Farge, you’ve got another day of paddling, with rustic campsites along the banks within the extraordinary Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Fall asleep to the calls of owls and awake to morning mists rising off the Kickapoo River right outside your tent. The current is steady and the towering sandstone bluffs along the banks make for great photos and even better memories.

Turtle-Flambeau Flowage

Camp on your own private island on the picturesque Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. A dam on the Flambeau River created this nearly 13,000-acre body of water, with double that acreage of undeveloped forest and a vast assortment of islands both large and small. Scattered throughout the flowage are 66 rustic campsites, free and first come, first served.

Consider this Wisconsin’s version of the Boundary Waters. Putting in here won’t require arranging a shuttle between vehicles, and a dedicated quiet zone on the already remote lake makes it a true haven for paddlers looking to reconnect with nature and each other.

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Two wild sister rivers – the Namekagon and the St. Croix – rise up in northern Wisconsin, eventually joining and forming the border between the state and Minnesota: the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Along the length of both are stunning rustic campsites with no fees or reservations. 

Expect some simple Class I rapids and riffles, and perhaps Class II in a few spots after the two combine their waters. It’s an impressive natural corridor with very few signs of nearby civilization and abundant wildlife. The National Park Service offers excellent detailed maps with river miles and campsites marked so you can plan a trip for as many days as you want to paddle with your crew.

Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area

Situated just northeast of Woodruff, Bittersweet Lakes State Natural Area allows you and your crew to paddle within a designated state natural area and requires a few portages. Short trails connect four lakes – Oberlin, Smith, Bittersweet and Prong – which are surrounded by old pine and hemlock within the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. Five reservable, rustic sites allow up to six people for one night only in order to sustain this gorgeous natural area.

While you don’t need a shuttle, you will need to carry your canoe or kayak between lakes and at the put-in. Expect to see the occasional osprey, eagle or loon fishing for its lunch. You may want to join them: Bring your fishing pole for walleye, northern pike, bass and panfish.

Check out the Paddle Wisconsin interactive map for more trip ideas and tips on canoeing Wisconsin's riverways, and keep on exploring with these microadventures for weekend wanderers!