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 in half from its origin in northern Wisconsin at Lac Vieux Desert all the way to the Mississippi just south of Prairie Du Chein. That’s leaves many miles to paddle and many more opportunities for overnight canoe and kayak trips.
One stretch accommodating to such adventures is the Central Sands of the Wisconsin River. Here, from Stevens Point to the Wisconsin Dells, the river serves as the western border of the Central Sands, a unique sand and gravel aquifer. This large expanse connects many east-central Wisconsin counties working it’s way clockwise from Birnamwood to Waupaca, Redgranite and Montello and back west toward the Dells.
Though often overlooked for the lower Wisconsin, the Central Sands is a worthy consideration for paddlers looking for remote multi-night trips. Along this stretch of river are many public islands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, as well as numerous sandbars when river levels allow. In addition, just outside of the Central Sands boundaries, near Portage, is where the largest public island in Wisconsin resides.
Paddling Style: Quietwater Paddling
Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
Best Suited For: Canoes + Kayaks
Camping Location: Island + Sandbar
Availability: First-Come, First-Served Undesignated Public Land Camping
Type: Remote
Paddle-in: Yes | Walk-in: No
Camping Fee: No | Camping Permit: No
At lower water levels, you’ll find sandbars to set up camp along much of the Wisconsin, especially below the Wisconsin Dells. The majority of camping options, however, reside on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (aka BLM). The U.S. Bureau of Land Management lands are public lands that can be used for what’s called “dispersed camping”. That means they are located away from “developed recreational facilities” and aren’t in conflict with other authorized uses, or posted, which also includes negatively affecting wildlife species/habitat or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on the Wisconsin River’s public land for no longer than three days, so as to prevent damage to the property.
While these islands are public, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily easy to access, have enough room for your group, or free from poison ivy, etc. Some may be rocky, brushy or near bridges, houses and development too. Though there’s no guarantee that these islands will be totally accommodating to your needs (or wants), public land access is a welcomed and wonderful thing in our opinion.
Camping is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, but because the islands can be closed for various reasons by the BLM, so you should be prepared for a Plan B island or sandbar. We suggest taking a look at the BLM map, because there are some islands that are marked day-use only (we do not include these on our own map). And of course, since this kind of camping is as primitive it gets, one must be prepared to deal with their own waste and practice pack-in, pack-out Leave-No-Trace ethics.
Paddling the Central Sands of the Wisconsin River
Central Wisconsin has the highest concentration of dams which were built to harness power for paper production, etc., so there are some stretches along the Central Sands that are more accommodating than others. There are also many miles with no public islands and where sandbars are infrequent due to wide and deep flowages.
Stevens Point to Castle Rock Dam
Miles: 60
Just south of Whiting is a scenic trip that features terrific accesses and excellent wildlife, together with a tranquil drift that’s fit for beginners. The terrain here is charming, at least by the spillway at least, where you’ll likely see the iceberg-like tips of huge granite outcrops near the shore and also across the way at an island some 300′ downstream from the dam.
To access the nearby BLM islands, you’ll have to ferry across the river (but the current downstream the dam here is no joke, so be cautious and prepared) and then navigate around the very large Fields Island. This is also part of the Blue Heron loop, a fun daytrip which loops around a cluster of islands and contains an amazing amount of wildlife and even an unexpected Class I boulder garden.
Downstream, there are two more BLM islands. The river here is broad and flows in long straightaways. You’ll pass a momentarily developed shoreline with boat slips and houses, but generally speaking this section of the river is still naturally intact and rugged. Further downstream, the river is dammed many times. After Nekoosa, there are a few more public islands before the large and flat Lake Petenwell.
Nearby Campground: Buckhorn State Park | Reserve a Site
68 Family Sites (plus 3 group). Most reservable. 7 with electric.
Facilities: Flush toilets, vault toilets, shower building, water and firewood.
25 Backpack/Hike-in/Paddle-in Sites. All reservable.
Facilities: Portable toilet or pit toilet, water and firewood.
Nearby Campground: Roche-A-Cri State Park | Reserve a Site
40 Sites (2 walk-in). 4 with electric.
Facilities: Vault toilets and water.
Recommended Routes:
Al Tech Park to West River Drive
Blue Heron Loop
Castle Rock Dam to Lyndon Station
Miles: 9.75 | Trip Report
This is a broad section of the Wisconsin that’s peaceful and luxurious on general overall feel. There’s very little development along the banks, and there are several large islands that divide the mainstream into beguiling side channels. If there’s one chief characteristic about this trip it’s the mostly wooded banks and sandy islands. In addition to the five BLM islands on this section, there are numerous sandbars that make for great picnicking, sunning, swimming and of course camping options. Two great accesses enhance the ease of this trip, although there’s a fee to use the boat launch at the put-in below the Castle Rock Dam. Except for the very end, there’s not much in the way of geology one would ordinarily expect for the Wisconsin River so close to the Dells, but the bluff formations at the take-out are breathtaking.
Nearby Campground: Buckhorn State Park | Reserve a Site
68 Family Sites (plus 3 group). Most reservable. 7 with electric.
Facilities: Flush toilets, vault toilets, shower building, water and firewood.
25 Backpack/Hike-in/Paddle-in Sites. All reservable.
Facilities: Portable toilet or pit toilet, water and firewood.
Nearby Campground: Roche-A-Cri State Park | Reserve a Site
40 Sites (2 walk-in). 4 with electric.
Facilities: Vault toilets and water.
Lyndon Station to Portage
Miles: 33
Below Lyndon Station, there’s only one BLM island but sandbar camping is possible in times of lower water. Of course, this section, specifically the Upper and Lower Dells are breathtaking. We recommend both the upper and lower as a longer day trip because the Wisconsin River only looks like this in the Dells. With sandstone bluffs, huge rock walls, labyrinthine islands, slot canyons, caves, overhangs, inlets, outlets, nooks and crannies to discover, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Downstream from the Dells, the river regains its composure and continues wide and sandy, split by islands which create channels to navigate through as it winds its way past Pine Island State Natural Area.
Nearby Campground: Mirror Lake State Park | Reserve a Site
151 Sites (4 walk-in). 60 with electric.
Facilities: Flush toilets, vault toilets, showers, water and firewood.
Recommended Routes:
Pine Island to Portage
Upper Wisconsin Dells: Lyndon Station to Wisconsin Dells
Lower Wisconsin Dells: Wisconsin Dells to Norway Drive
Upper + Lower Wisconsin Dells: River Bay Road to Norway Drive
Portage to Dekorra
Miles: 8.25 | Trip Report
Just past Portage, there are seven public islands to camp on, starting with the first one you’ll encounter which is the largest public island in Wisconsin. While the upstream section past Pine Island is more sandy, you’ll still find some sandbars when the water is lower. With numerous channels to explore, the paddle feels a bit more wild amongst the numerous wooded islands.
Dekorra to Whalen Bay
Miles: 7.75 | Trip Report
The last stretch before the Wisconsin is dammed one last time at Prairie Du Sac features a surprising array of beautiful scenery as well as seven public islands to consider. The trip starts narrow but gradually widens and slows on its way to Lake Wisconsin. Along the way, you’ll encounter a smorgasbord of wooded islands, sandbars, rolling bluffs and a surprisingly impressive exposed rock outcropping “wall” towards the end of the trip, where you’ll also encounter a lot of motorboat traffic on Lake Wisconsin.
Essential Information:
General Camping Info: Bureau of Land Management
Maps + Guides:
Bureau of Land Management Wisconsin Public Island Map
Photo Gallery:
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