Browsing Tag

Wisconsin

Mecan River
★ ★ ★

Mecan River IV

Dover Avenue to Germania: Quite possibly the single most boring stretch of the otherwise lively and lovely Mecan River, the only honorary aspects to this trip are the novelty of paddling the Germania Marsh (if you’re into that) and…

Mecan River
★ ★ ★

Mecan River III

Mecan River Springs to 11th Road: Two exploratory trips combined into one (for the sake of simplicity) that certainly tested one’s patience and fortitude, but also offered extraordinary beauty and a cool sense of pioneer paddling. Not for casual…

Coon Fork Creek
★ ★ ★ ★

Coon Fork Creek

County Road CF to County Road G: Two outstanding streams in one trip, beginning with an exhilarating series of Class I-II rapids in a narrow mini-gorge that is true creek paddling at its finest, and then finishing in the…

Eau Claire River
★ ★ ★ ★

Eau Claire River II (Eau Claire County)

Harstad County Park to County Road K: A truly enchanting daytrip that begins and ends with rapids and features mile after mile of sandy banks (including two that are magnificently tall), a gazillion sandbars, tiny islands, pine trees and zero…

Eau Claire River
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Eau Claire River I (Eau Claire County)

Lake Altoona Dam to Hobbs Landing: A surprisingly scenic stretch with great wildlife and geology surrounded by an urban environment, catch the Eau Claire at a high water level and awesome 2’-tall standing waves form for what may well…

Pecatonica River
★ ★ ★

Pecatonica River IV

Mifflin to Jones Branch Road: A surprisingly swift section of the otherwise sluggish Pecatonica River surrounded by steep hills, modest bluffs, several striking rock outcrops and very little development, this trip suffers from shallow water levels, poor accesses and…

Lake Waubesa Wetlands
★ ★ ★

Lake Waubesa Wetlands

Touring the Lake Waubesa Wetlands in Dane County: A pretty network of backwater sloughs and spring-fed streams to explore, the Lake Waubesa Wetlands are an interesting local diversion, conveniently located just fifteen minutes from downtown Madison. Rating: ☆ ☆…

Grant River
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grant River II

County Road U to Chaffie Hollow Road A revisit to the Grant River, this trip was a perfect example of how perspective shifts as time goes by, for what had initially felt somewhat anticlimactic years ago today felt like…

Crawfish River
★ ★ ★

Crawfish River III

County Road I to County Road G: Probably the prettiest stretch of the Crawfish River, this is a relaxing ride on a slow stream where you shouldn’t ever have to worry about water levels or portaging obstructions, instead take…

RootsRated
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RootsRated.com

RootsRated connects users with the best outdoor trails. Hand-picked by local outdoor retailers and their networks of local experts across the country, they curate the best outdoor experiences and the most interesting stories from their local outdoor communities. It's…

Neenah Creek
★ ★

Neenah Creek I

County Road EE to Oxford: This was a personal curiosity that is more quixotic than practical, this upper stretch of Neenah Creek is uniquely beautiful but way too problematic for paddlers. Rating: ☆ ☆ Trip Report Date: April 19, 2015…

Yahara River
★ ★

Yahara River II

Windsor Road to Yahara Heights County Park: A disappointing section of the Yahara River which is fraught with deadfall and other obstructions. This trip will frustrate all but gluttons for punishment and paddling masochists. Rating: ☆ ☆ Trip Report…

Maunesha River
★ ★ ★ ★

Maunesha River I

Marshall to Firemen’s Park: A return trip to mark an anniversary of sorts, this second time around was even prettier and less difficult than the first. Great wildlife, a surprisingly scenic landscape, fantastically fun moving water and a thrilling…

Platte River
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Platte River II

County Road A to Platte Road: A glorious trip with nonstop riffles and rapids, spectacular cliffs, bluffs, rock outcrops, lush pastures and no obstructions, this hitherto unknown section of the Platte is worth the minor inconvenience of the put-in…

Rock Creek
★ ★ ★

Rock Creek

Lake Mills to Millford: An obscure little stream that you’ve probably passed countless times on I-94 without knowing it, this trip has a couple of genuinely redeeming features, (up to and including the strangest but most thrilling Class II…

Wisconsin River Upper Dells
Video

Wisconsin River: Upper Dells Video

Best explored with paddle in hand, the Dells of the Wisconsin River is a must-visit destination. Have a look at part one our annual fall flotilla on the Upper Dells...…

Turtle Creek Paddle Guide
Paddle Guide

Turtle Creek Paddle Guide

Turtle Creek is a real gem in southern Wisconsin. Popular with locals but for some reason mostly unknown to outsiders (which is probably just fine by the locals), there’s a lot to love about this pretty stream...…

Wedges Creek Video
Video

Wedges Creek Video: Middle Road to Riviera Avenue

Best caught at higher levels than when we visited it, Wedges Creek is a seldom paddled gem located in Black River Falls. The highlight of this trip was not the creek itself however, but the extended section of the…

White River (Walworth)
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

White River I (Walworth County)

Sheridan Springs Road to Lyons: A delightful jaunt on a very pretty river with two distinct temperaments – placid and slow, frisky and fun – surrounded by a predominantly unspoiled landscape. The only deterrents are this trip often is…

Baraboo River Paddle Guide
Paddle Guide

Baraboo River Paddle Guide

Approximating 120 miles in length, the Baraboo River is recognized as the longest free-flowing river in the country that has been restored after the removal of its many damns. That alone is a pretty cool fact...…

Wolf River
Video

Wolf River Video: Lily to Hollister

The Wolf River is a must-visit paddling destination for whitewater-curious paddlers. Here’s a look back at a particularly popular section from September of 2015...…

Milwaukee River
Video

Milwaukee River Video: Grafton to County Highway T

With nearly endless riffles and surrounded by limestone and dolomite dells, this short clip on the Milwaukee River makes for a fun and visually stunning paddle, highly recommended for mild-whitewater adventurers and definitely one of our favorites of 2015...…

Milwaukee River Video
Video

Milwaukee River Video: Newburg to Fredonia

Have a look at the Newburg to Fredonia section of the Milwaukee River we revisited back in June of last year. It was anticipated to be a little more exciting than it turned out to be but there was…

Black Earth Creek Paddle Guide
Paddle Guide

Black Earth Creek Paddle Guide

Even before I ever stepped foot in a kayak, I’d been curious about Black Earth Creek. There it is, zigging and zagging along Highway 14 as you head west from Madison towards Cross Plains, then Black Earth and finally…

Red Cedar River
Video

Red Cedar River Video: Menomonie to Downsville

This trip down the Red Cedar river wasn't particularly exciting in terms of scenery, but it was a quick and splashy ride all the way to the end where you'll find a convenient waves-to-trails shuttle...…

2016 Canoecopia Show Guide
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2016 Canoecopia Show Guide

The wish book for paddlers has arrived! That's right, the 2016 Canoecopia Show Guide is available for download here. Time to start planning your days at one of our favorite weekends of the year...…