This is a beautiful paddle on a canopied river with a strong current, a good water level and some challenging class II rapids. The river is narrow at the beginning with a good current and plenty of tight twists and bends.

The Wisconsin River starts as a small stream near the Michigan border and flows south, then west for 430 miles before joining the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien. Many other smaller rivers and creeks join it along the way and make it a major American River. With 26 hydropower dams along its course it is called “The hardest working river in America.” This section is peaceful, studded with islands, and loaded with inviting sandbars and beaches. Bluffs often tower over the shoreline and one unique open area is very beautiful. An annual canoe race covers most of this section in July but the rest of the year you will see far fewer paddlers.

Beginning in Rockford, this is a fun paddle with some good standing waves and isolated sections of rapids. During low water watch out for rocks.

This section of the Menominee River is a short but challenging whitewater run that offers class II to V rapids. The 4-mile run is accessed from a put-in located in Wisconsin and a take-out located in Michigan. Paddlers will put in just below the Quinnesec Falls Dam and float downstream a mile and a half on fast flatwater before approaching the first set of major rapids over Sand Portage Falls, a class II-III drop. After Sand Portage Falls paddlers will have a chance to rest for almost a mile of flatwater before heading into Piers Gorge which is a 0.5 mile run of continuous rapids and drops. There is a dirt trail on the left that can be used for portaging or scouting the river. The first drop is an 8-10 foot fall that is classified as a IV-V with large boulder at the bottom that may not be visible during in high water. The other major rapids on the river include Twin Sisters (class II-III drops) followed Terminal Surfer (Class III ledge drop). The take-out for this run is located at the U.S. Hwy. 8 bridge

This is arguably one of the prettiest and most unspoiled rivers in Wisconsin. You will see little development along the Pike, as well as encountering mixed forest, good current, pleasant flatwater, frequent riffles and rapids, and attractive rock formations. Powerline Rapids (Class II) is a drop through a small canyon about 50 yards long. A long stretch of flatwater with a number of pleasant ruffles lead to Scrounge Canyon (Class II), Horseshoe Falls, a Class II curved ledge, and Yellow Bridge Falls (Class III) which involves two pitches and a sheer 5-foot drop with a couple hundred yards of boulder garden to follow.

The Wisconsin River starts as a small stream near the Michigan border and flows south, then west for 430 miles before joining the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien. Many other smaller rivers and creeks join it along the way and make it a major American River. With 26 hydropower dams along its course it is called “The hardest working river in America.” This section is peaceful, studded with islands, and loaded with inviting sandbars and beaches. Bluffs often tower over the shoreline and one unique open area is very beautiful. An annual canoe race covers most of this section in July but the rest of the year you will see far fewer paddlers.

The Wisconsin River starts as a small stream near the Michigan border and flows south, then west for 430 miles before joining the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien. Many other smaller rivers and creeks join it along the way and make it a major American River. With 26 hydropower dams along its course it is called “The hardest working river in America.” This section contains fantastic rock formations called the Lower Dells and is very beautiful. Because large tour boats frequent the Lower Dells, paddlers must be prepared to deal with wakes. Other great scenery is seen and includes cliffs lining the shores, the Rocky Islands, sandy beaches, and common sightings of eagles, herons, turkey vultures, hawks, and turtles.

Good family time. A fun water feature towards the end.

The Peshtigo is one of the great paddling rivers in Wisconsin and it provides enjoyable boating over most of its length. It originates north of Crandon near the source of the Wolf River and it empties into Green Bay. Options for flatwater paddlers and whitewater paddlers are present. This section and the downstream sections of the Peshtigo are mostly quiet with no whitewater. The river grows progressively wider and calmer all the way to Green Bay. The scenery is a mix of upland and lowland with a few spots with interesting marshes. Wildlife is common, especially deer and eagle. One small Class I rapids are within the first mile.

The Peshtigo is one of the great paddling rivers in Wisconsin and it provides enjoyable boating over most of its length. It originates north of Crandon near the source of the Wolf River and it empties into Green Bay. Options for flatwater paddlers and whitewater paddlers are present. This section is a delight for intermediate and advanced whitewater paddlers. There are many difficult rapids, including two Class III rapids. These include tricky maneuvering through boulder gardens and holes, many drops and narrow passages, and Taylor Falls which consists of a several foot drop. The scenery throughout is wild and undeveloped and very beautiful.