Calm Paddling

Day river trips with an absence of rapids can be a peaceful time, depending on current, level, and clearance of deadfall, plus the accessibility in getting on and off the water.  I have experienced and written about several of these trips in the past.

Mukwonago River (WI) - 4/15/2023

Area: Southeastern Wisconsin; Shuttle: 3 miles (hiked); Paddle: 5.5 miles; Gradient: Flatwater

For more info & pictures of this trip - Mukwonago

Bark River (WI) - 8/29/2022

Area: Southeastern Wisconsin; Shuttle: 6.8 miles (hiked); Paddle: 9 miles; Gradient: ~3 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Bark-3

Sugar River (WI) - 8/26/2022

Area: Southcentral Wisconsin; Shuttle: 3.8 miles (hiked); Paddle: 4.5 miles; Gradient: ~2 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Sugar-3

Koshkonong Creek (WI) - 7/16/2022

Area: Southeastern Wisconsin; Shuttle: 4.5 miles (hiked); Paddle: 5.5 miles; Gradient: Flatwater

For more info & pictures of this trip - Koshkonong

Rock River (WI) - 7/7/2022

Area: Southeastern Wisconsin; Shuttle: 7 miles (hiked); Paddle: 11 miles; Gradient: ~1 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Rock-4

Duck Creek (WI) - 7/5/2022

Area: Southcentral Wisconsin; Shuttle: 5.4 miles (hiked); Paddle: 6 miles; Gradient: flatwater

For more info & pictures of this trip - Duck

Tahquamenon River (MI) - 6/12/2022

Area: Eastern U.P. Michigan; Shuttle: 15 miles (hiked); Paddle: 16 miles; Gradient: ~1 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Tahquamenon-MI

Yahara River (WI) - 5/15/2022

Area: Southcentral Wisconsin; Shuttle: 4 miles (hiked); Paddle: 5.5 miles; Gradient: ~1 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Yahara-2

Milwaukee River (WI) - 5/1/2022

Area: Southeastern Wisconsin; Shuttle: 6.4 miles (hiked); Paddle: 8.5 miles; Gradient: ~3 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Milwaukee-3

Pecatonica River (WI) - 4/23/2022

Area: Southwestern Wisconsin; Shuttle: 6 miles (hiked); Paddle: 8 miles; Gradient: ~1 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Pecatonica-2

Other Possible New Rivers

Southeast WI: Ashippun, Cedar Creek, Menomonee, Mukwonago, Pewaukee, Scuppernong
Southwest WI: Dell Creek, La Crosse, Lemonweir, Platte
Northern WI: Eagle, Namekagon, Red Cedar, St Croix, Yellow
Other States: Des Plaines-IL, Galena-IL, Cannon-MN, Whitewater-MN

Resources

  • Guide books: Paddling Northern Wisconsin, Paddling Southern Wisconsin, Canoeing Michigan Rivers
  • Websites: Wisconsin Trail Guide & Minnesota DNR - Water Trails, along with Miles Paddled & Wisconsin River Trips