So 2020 wasn’t what any of us were expecting, but here we are on day one of a whole new year with hope for better things ahead. Emphasis on hope because let’s face it, nobody wants to relive another…
All Posts By
Barry Kalpinski
In keeping with Miles Paddled tradition, we’re pleased to bring you our annual year-end list of favorite paddles from the past season. While 2020 was challenging for a number of reasons, perhaps the easiest part was choosing twenty of…
Hey all, this isn’t necessarily new news if you’re a regular to the site, but we’ve added a second store for Miles Paddled and Wisconsin paddling gear in our Threadless Shop. Threadless affords us the ability to offer items…
The Turtle-Flambeau Flowage is sometimes referred to as Wisconsin’s Boundary Waters, except on a much smaller scale, of course. The comparison comes from the natural characteristics that resemble those of the BWCA and are indeed prevalent with a similar…
One of several Pine Rivers in Wisconsin, this Pine River in Florence County is notable as one of five Wild and Scenic Rivers in the state. For paddlers, it does not disappoint. When water levels are right, the Pine…
One of the first three rivers to be classified as Wild & Scenic, the Popple River throbs through the heart of national forest and offers paddlers a splendid mix of calm tranquility surrounded by an undeveloped natural landscape, plus…
When it comes to camping the Wisconsin River, most first think of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, a glorious free-flowing 92-mile stretch where island and sandbar camping is free and easy. But the Wisconsin is 430 miles long, splitting the state…
The reliable east branch of the Pecatonica offers a number trip options that can be tailored up- or downstream from Blackhawk Memorial County Park campground, an off-the-beaten-path gem nestled in the gentle hills of driftless country. This is a…
The historic and hardworking Chippewa River begins as two forks before joining at Lake Chippewa, part of the Chippewa Flowage (also a great flatwater paddle-camping destination). At the southern end of the lake is where the singular Chippewa River…
Location is everything when it comes to canoe and kayak camping, and there are very few riverside campgrounds as equally as attractive as Bagley Rapids Campground. Located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the North Branch of the Oconto River sets…
The Lake Superior Water Trail spans the “North Coast” of Wisconsin, changing complexion many times along the way from the industrial-heavy ports of Superior, through the Apostle Island National Lakeshore, and finally to the Montreal river. From urban ports…
The entire Lake Michigan Water Trail encompasses 1,638 miles along Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan’s shorelines. Wisconsin’s section spans 523 of those miles and is largely unfinished, but ultimately, the plan is to offer paddlers evenly-spaced access points (including restrooms)…
The Apostle Islands are one of two National Park systems in Wisconsin. Located on Lake Superior off the Bayfield Peninsula, these twenty-one islands and twelve miles of shoreline are considered the “Crown jewel of Lake Superior”. The alluring (and…
Canoe & Kayak Camping
Canoe & Kayak Camping Wisconsin: Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
At first glance, the massive Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest looks like an overwhelming paddle-camp planning challenge (I mean, just look at our overview map below). Thankfully, however, the Wisconsin DNR provides six recommended routes that overlap and intertwine…
Brunet Island State Park is one of those special little northern Wisconsin gems. Located on the Chippewa River, the park sits between two dams on the Cornell Flowage where the river is slower and flatter, offering more of a quietwater…
If there was one “easy” place to dip your toes into paddle-camping on the Mississippi River, Goose Island is it. In contrast to remote-camping on the islands and sandbars between the vast amount of sloughs, islands and bays of…
The St. Croix River is a hugely popular destination for multi-day canoe and kayak camping trips in northern Wisconsin. From Gordon Dam to the confluence with the Mississippi, the river flows 155 miles through a wild and sometimes rugged…
If you’re looking for an uncrowded paddle-camping opportunity, the Chippewa Flowage is an ideal option for remote island-camping set in the scenic northwoods of Wisconsin. The flowage, or “Big Chip” as it’s known, is a 15,300-acre impoundment located east…
The Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is unlike most paddle-camping options in Wisconsin. For one, it’s the hardest-working river in America, where large barges and heavy commercial boat traffic can cause pause for even the most experienced…
Situated along the East Fork of the Black River, the East Fork Campground makes a great riverside basecamp located between both flatwater and whitewater options. Paddlers can choose from a paddle downstream to Lake Arbutus for leisurely calm waters…
Unlike the majority of the Peshtigo River State Forest, the upper Peshtigo is almost entirely whitewater paddling. Before the slow flowages of the State Forest, the river offers thrilling Class I to IV whitewater which requires expert-level skill on the…
The Manitowish River originates at High Lake, just northeast of Boulder Junction where it then flows 44 miles through many lakes in the Northern Highlands-American Legion State Forest. These twenty-four miles are the last before the Manitowish joins the…
In 1989, the Lower Wisconsin Riverway was created to protect the last free-flowing 92 miles to the Mississippi River for recreational purposes and to help protect natural wildlife habitats. From Prairie Du Sac to just south of the city…
Designated to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest encompasses more than 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. With over 900 lakes, miles of river, and dozens of free, first-come, first-served…
The sprawling Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest encompasses more than 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. The State Forest was designated to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers and its boundaries comprise the highest concentration of…
The Peshtigo River offers nearly every kind of paddling and camping option one would want. From flatwater to extreme Class IV whitewater and remote shoreline sites to modern campgrounds, you’re sure to find something to suit your preferred style.…
Touring Starkweather Creek: If you’re looking for a recreational paddle near Madison, there are better options than Starkweather Creek. But if you consider (or reconsider, I suppose) and categorize Starkweather Creek as an urban transportation route, (which in its…
Flatwater paddlers are sure to love Buckhorn for the easy lake access right from their secluded shoreline campsite. Located south of Necedah, the sprawling Buckhorn State Park is a peninsula on Castle Rock Lake, Wisconsin’s fourth largest lake. It’s…
Thanks to Wisconsin Public Radio’s Larry Meiller Show for having Timothy on the show once again to talk about paddling, padaling and camping Wisconsin, among other paddling-related topics from call-in and write-in listeners. It’s always a pleasure to spend time…
With an unparalleled amount of amazing river and creek opportunities, we consider the entire Black River Falls area a paddling playground for canoeing and kayaking. There is literally something to appease every style of paddler. From thrilling whitewater surrounded by…