Packed to Paddle

Multi-Day River Trips

Camping on the river is a great experience and can range from a short overnight to several nights depending on the river and the camping available.  I have mostly experienced single nighters, but plan to take on longer several-night river trips in the near future.

Manitowish River - 8/19-20/2022

Area: Northcentral Wisconsin; Shuttle: 11 miles (hiked); Paddle: 20.5 miles; Campsites: 7; Nights: 1; Gradient: 1 ft/mile

For more info & pictures of this trip - Manitowish

Past Multi-Day River Trips

Root (MN): June 2020

Shuttle: 19m, Paddle: 26.4m, Campsites: 5, Nights: 1

Brule (WI/MI): May 2021

Shuttle: 32m, Paddle: 40m, Campsites: 2 & open WI NF, Nights: 1

Manitowish (WI): August 2022

Shuttle: 11m, Paddle: 20.5m, Campsites: 7, Nights: 1

Upcoming Multi-Day Trip Possibilities

  • Bois Brule (WI)- Shuttle: 16m, Paddle: 23.5m, Campground: 1, Nights: 1
  • Wisconsin (WI)- Shuttle: 18.5m, Paddle: 33m, CGs: 2, Sites: 5, Nights: 1
  • Cloquet (MN)- Shuttle: 19m, Paddle: 30m, Campsights: 5, Nights: 2
  • Flambeau (WI)- Shuttle: 22m, Paddle: 30m, Campsights: 9, Nights: 2

Tips & Considerations

Planning

Find a river with campsite options that suits your desired paddling experience
  • How many nights?
  • How long are you planning to paddle in a day?
  • Does this section of river have rapids or other hazards?
  • Are you looking for campsites off the water or campgrounds?
  • Will campsites be labeled and visible from the water?
  • How will you track how far you've gone?
  • Will you have cell service at all?

Packing

There are the obvious items of all your usual paddling equipment (watercraft, paddle, PFD, etc.) and your camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, food, etc.) but you also need space to store everything while paddling so keep to the essentials. Also consider:
  • Dry bags for storing all your stuff while paddling, especially if you'll be facing rapids at times
  • How you'll be storing & preparing your food and restocking on water
  • Whether you'll need to bring a loo (portable toilet) with you

Logistics

Besides having more gear and longer shuttles from put ins to take outs, logistics for multi-day river trips aren't too different than a day river trip.  That is if you aren't going solo and have two vehicles.  If going solo consider:
  • Your options for a shuttle (Hike, Bike, or Borrow a ride?)
  • Getting a packraft (They're designed to be extra lightweight & compact)
  • Even with a packraft, it helps to pack as light as possible and have a backpack that comfortably holds & distributes weight

Wisconsin

Rivers with Best Campsite Availability
  • Wisconsin
  • St Croix
  • Namekagon
  • Flambeau
  • Manitowish
  • Yahara (connecting lakes)
  • Northern WI Flowages

Minnesota
Rivers with Best Campsite Availability
  • Mississippi
  • St Croix
  • Cloquet
  • St Louis
  • Rum
  • Crow
  • Root

Michigan
Rivers with Best Campsite Availability
  • Au Sable
  • Huron
  • Manistee
  • Rifle
  • White
  • Indian (U.P.)
  • Two-Hearted (U.P.)

Resources