Highway 55 to Highway 139: A truly enchanting landscape surrounding a creek-like river, this trip down the borderline Brule is simply terrific and, in our opinion, worth whatever logistical hassles it may incur. Paddlers will be rewarded with clear,…
Here’s some video of a Crawfish River section which was a far more interesting paddle than I ever expected. The first half is narrow and intimate with easily-navigable deadfall followed by a section strewn with boulders, boulder gardens, and…
Here’s some video of one of my favorite paddles on the Crystal River near Waupaca, Wisconsin, a lightwater paddle that’s pure fun over crystal clear water with an amazing amount of diversity from beginning to end for beginner and/or…
Here’s some video of the lower Kickapoo River – a less popular section than upstream – but full of uninterrupted beauty along rolling hills, wooded ridges and with very little development in the peripherals. (Adjust to 1080p for the…
Here’s some Big Rib River video of an unassuming but really engaging and somewhat-secluded section captured last year. With modest outcrops and plenty of gentle riffles, it’s a fun day trip that’s perfect for novice paddlers, provided the water’s…
Video of the short but popular upstream section of Central Wisconsin’s Tomorrow-Waupaca River that begins as a charming and woodsy small-stream paddle, but then transitions to wide marsh-like environs towards the takeout. (Adjust to 4k for the best picture.)…
Part two of two on the South Fork of the Eau Claire River- a scenic, wily and beguiling stream that courses through undeveloped thickets of gorgeous county forest in a near-wilderness setting with conditions that range from quietwater to Class…
Part one of two on the South Fork of the Eau Claire River- a diamond in the rough if ever there was one – that courses through undeveloped thickets of county forest that rewards patient and intrepid paddlers with…
Rural to Shadow Lake Road: The Crystal River is just that, crystal clear and as charming as the town of Rural that it flows through. It’s never very deep and you’re never far from civilization, so it’s about as…
County Road W to Highway 47: A quintessential northwoods narrative known not for its rapids or granite boulders, but rather its soft features and easy float, this classic paddle on the Manitowish River is a natural delight for slow-flow…
County Road A to Rib Falls: There’s something unassuming and subtle, but really engaging about this somewhat-secluded section of the Big Rib River. With many modest outcrops and plenty of gentle riffles, it makes for a scenic and fun…
Nelsonville to Amherst: This short but popular section of the Tomorrow-Waupaca River located in Central Wisconsin is an easy-going paddle that begins as a charming and woodsy small-stream paddle at the put-in, and then transitions to wide marsh-like environs…
Touring The Apostle Island’s Sand Island: Truly a stunning and scenically spectacular paddle unlike anything I’ve had the good fortune to experience, the trip out to and back from Sand Island (originally named Waabaabikaa-minis in Ojibwe) – part of…
Dunnville to Durand: Combining the tail end of the Red Cedar River with a lower segment of the Chippewa River, this trip makes for a quintessential loaf float for a lazy summer day. While it’s not as scenic as…
Dickinson Road to County Highway G: A diamond in the rough if ever there was one, a wily and beguiling stream coursing through undeveloped thickets of gorgeous county forest, the South Fork of the Eau Claire will reward patient and…
Plum Creek Road to Wauzeka: An easy, pretty, and primitive trip, this final stretch of the meandering Kickapoo is not endowed with the spectacular rock outcrops and canyons as found in the popular Ontario to La Farge section –…
For your viewing pleasure, here’s our Deerskin River video which captured one of the more unexpectedly delightful paddles of 2021. It’s a mostly undeveloped river that gently meanders through classic northern Wisconsin landscape over crystal clear water, a sandy bottom…
Best paddled in spring when the foliage is less dense to expose more of its stunning features, this section of the Grant River has long been one of our favorite Wisconsin driftless paddles. The usual riffles and rock formations…
New Wood River is a short lightwater trip which is quite delightful when running. With constant riffles and occasional Class I waves, it’s best considered a companion run to others in the area due to its short length. (Adjust to…
Here’s video of a scenic stretch on the obscure Mill Creek in Richland County which begins quietly in a beautiful swath of Driftless hills and finishes in a white-knuckled tumble down tricky rapids. (Adjust to 1080p for the best…
County Road E to Dam Lane: A very scenic stretch of a truly obscure stream, this trip on Mill Creek begins quietly in a beautiful swath of Driftless hills and finishes in a white-knuckled tumble down tricky rapids. Water…
Touring Lower Six Mile Creek: A delightful little jaunt in the Madison area, the lower half of Sixmile Creek offers a pleasant respite without the commitment of a long drive or shuttling (it’s a there-and-back outing), plus a wide…
County Road Q to River Road: As wild and wooly a ride as I’ve ever had, this stretch of the Middle Branch of the Embarrass River features exhilarating sequences of Class II rapids through obstacle courses of down trees…
Highway 64 to Willow River State Park: I want to avoid the “hidden gem” cliché here, but I won’t in singing the praises of this delightful stream with so much to offer, on the exurban edge of the Twin…
260th Avenue to Brunet Island State Park: There’s potential enjoyment on the part of the Fisher River that conjoins the Chippewa within the boundary of Brunet Island State Park. If you’re a list-maker of rivers you’ve paddled (I admit…
Deerskin Road/Forest Road 2199 to Rangeline Road: The Deerskin River is a wild and mostly undeveloped little gem that gently meanders through classic northern Wisconsin landscape over crystal clear water, a sandy bottom and around occasional glacial erratic boulders. It’s…
By Jeanne Scherer Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Specialist UW Madison Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute With the discovery of two more invasive species found in Wisconsin waters, we thought it would be a good time to share the…
Short Cut Road to County Road U: When it comes to Wisconsin driftless paddles, the Grant is as captivating as they come with its twists, turns, riffles and rock formations. However, there’s currently one big caveat and by big, we…
Oxford to County Road A: With steady, reliable flows, water that’s cold and clear as gin on the rocks, a sinewy stretch through a marshy area, some tight turns and occasional obstacles of the wooden variety to keep you awake,…
Here’s some more video of a recent return to a previous trip on the Black River that combines two distinctly different styles of paddling. This second section from Halls Creek Landing to Roosevelt Road is a calm paddle on relaxed water…