Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Ashland County

Length/Landings: Madeline Island

Access at Big Bay State Park Enjoy World Class Sea Kayaking through Madeline Island with spectacular views of the Apostle Islands. Launch at Big Bay State Park to tour mainland sea caves. Guide services available.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Bayfield County

Length/Landings: Landing at Meyers Beach near the mainland sea caves and at many other locations on the Bayfield peninsula to access the Apostle Islands.

Apple River

Polk County

The Apple River, which flows through Amery, is famous throughout the region as a popular place for tubing, kayaking and canoeing. There is a new canoe and kayak portage around the Amery Dam. The Apple River is a 77.5-mile long tributary of the St. Croix River.

Bark Bay Slough

Bayfield County

A 552-acre shore wetland and open bog with sand spit, lagoon, springs and wetlands along a bay between two rocky headlands of the Lake Superior coast.

Bois Brule River

Douglas County

Length/Landings: 44 Miles.

This unique, 44-mile-long river varies from a meandering stream in a conifer bog to a fast flowing river with numerous rapids and ledges. As it flows north, the Brule River drops 418 feet in elevation, plunging 328 feet in just the last 19 miles.

Brunet Island-Chippewa River

Chippewa County

The waters that surround Brunet Island provide an outstanding paddling experience. In addition to the main island, there are a number of undeveloped islands separated by narrow channels. Go explore.

Chippewa Moraine Glacial Lakes

Chippewa County

These cluster of lakes in the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area offers a "Mini Boundary Waters" type experience. Small in size but wonderfully wild. Great for canoe and kayak enthusiasts.

Chippewa River

Rusk County

Length/Landings: Approx. 32 miles; Multiple landings.

Relatively wide and curving, with lots of deep holes. A variety of paddles with great fishing and scenery. Famous fishery for walleye and musky, as well as smallmouth, northern pike and panfish.

Copper Falls State Park

Ashland County

Length/Landings: Copper Falls State Park; Access at Loon Lake.

Location: 2 miles NE of Mellen.

Take State Hwy 13 to the north side of Mellen and turn (NE) on State Hwy 169. Go about 1.8 miles. The park entrance will be on your left.

Gile Flowage

Iron County

3380 acres. Four public launch sites for canoes and kayaks.

Flambeau River

Rusk County

Length/Landings: Approx. 40 miles, including North & South Fork; multiple landings and campsites.

One of the best paddling experiences in the Midwest, with whitewater and slower stretches, on a largely undeveloped river featuring deep woodland habitat.

Jump River

Rusk County

Length/Landings: 10 miles from Jump River to Sheldon.

Free- flowing, pristine, and dam-free for its entire length, from its source to its confluence with the Chippewa. Much of this pristine river receives little or no fishing pressure. Expect lots of musky, sucker, some walleye and smallmouth.

Lake Wissota-Chippewa River

Chippewa County

Lake Wissota is the longest flat-water paddling opportunity on the Chippewa River. The lake can be accessed through the Lake Wissota State Park, which features a boat landing and a full range of amenities including canoeing and kayaking.

Manitowish River Trail

Iron County

Length/Landings: 20 miles; multiple landings.

This is a 20-mile novice trail with many options for put in and take out. The river is a clean sandy bottom with a steady current. There are common access points off of Hwy 51 south of Mercer.

Namekagon River

Bayfield, Burnett, Sawyer & Washburn Counties

Length/Landings: 99.5 miles.

Part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway managed by the National Park Service, the Namekagon River: Wisconsin's Moving National Park offers incredible canoeing and kayaking opportunities. This well-marked river trail offers multiple landings, river-side camping, rentals and shuttle service.

Namekagon River

Bayfield, Burnett, Sawyer & Washburn Counties

Length/Landings: 99.5 miles.

Part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway managed by the National Park Service, the Namekagon River: Wisconsin's Moving National Park offers incredible canoeing and kayaking opportunities. This well-marked river trail offers multiple landings, river-side camping, rentals and shuttle service.

Namekagon River

Bayfield, Burnett, Sawyer & Washburn Counties

Length/Landings: 99.5 miles.

Part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway managed by the National Park Service, the Namekagon River: Wisconsin's Moving National Park offers incredible canoeing and kayaking opportunities. This well-marked river trail offers multiple landings, river-side camping, rentals and shuttle service.

Namekagon River

Bayfield, Burnett, Sawyer & Washburn Counties

Length/Landings: 99.5 miles.

Part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway managed by the National Park Service, the Namekagon River: Wisconsin's Moving National Park offers incredible canoeing and kayaking opportunities. This well-marked river trail offers multiple landings, river-side camping, rentals and shuttle service.

North Fork Flambeau River: City of Park Falls to Nine Mile Creek

Price County

Length/Landings: 12 miles/6 hours; 4 landings. Hines Park & Campground, Saunders Avenue, Park Falls.

This is a relaxing journey over calm water with excellent fishing and camping opportunities. Avoid two of the four portages by starting at the Highway 13 Bridge. Easy/Moderate.

North Fork Flambeau River: Turtle Dam to City of Park Falls

Price County

Length/Landings: 18 miles/8 hours; 4 landings. Robinson Landing, Flambeau Dam Road, Mercer WI.

A mix of whitewater and wild scenery for the first 13 miles, then flat water paddling until the landing at Hines Park and Campground. Moderate/Difficult.

Red Cedar River

Barron County

Length/Landings: 34 miles; Access in Mikana. 34 miles on the Red Cedar River starting at Mikana, in northeast Barron County, and having a variety of access points while passing through the communities of Rice Lake, Cameron and Sand Creek before joining with the Chippewa River.

Sawmill & Loyhead Portage Routes

Washburn County

Length: Varies. Two primitive canoe/kayak routes located north of Birchwood near Sawmill Campground.

Offers a high density of small glacial lakes. A canoe portage system has been marked to guide paddlers through this beautiful, remote area of Northern Wisconsin.

South Fork Flambeau River: Fifield to County Road F

Price County

Length/Landings: 12 miles/5 hours; 3 landings. Movrich Memorial Community Park, N14022 Willow Ave, Fifield.

The first half of this paddle has a meandering character - the second half has some challenging whitewater. Check water levels before venturing out; best in spring or early summer. Moderate/Difficult.

South Fork, Flambeau River-County Highway F to County Highway W

Sawyer County

Length/Landings: 10 miles/4 hours; 3 landings. several challenging rapids. Check water levels before venturing out; best in spring or early summer. Moderate/Difficult.

St. Croix River

Burnett County

Length/Landings: 50 miles in Burnett County (169 Total); Multiple landings. National Park, camping, picnicking, fishing, wildlife. Restrooms at most official landings. Wild river, diverse terrain, mostly forested. Rapids. Historic towns.

St. Croix River

Burnett County

Length/Landings: 50 miles in Burnett County (169 Total); Multiple landings. National Park, camping, picnicking, fishing, wildlife. Restrooms at most official landings. Wild river, diverse terrain, mostly forested. Rapids. Historic towns.

St. Croix River

Burnett County

Length/Landings: 50 miles in Burnett County (169 Total); Multiple landings. National Park, camping, picnicking, fishing, wildlife. Restrooms at most official landings. Wild river, diverse terrain, mostly forested. Rapids. Historic towns.

St. Croix River

Douglas County

Length: 12 miles. Canoe landing located at Gordon Dam County Park, where the St. Croix river begins.

St. Croix River

Polk County

Length: 43 miles long, multiple landings, National Park, camping, picnicking, fishing, wildlife. Wild river, diverse terrain. Paddleboat tours available daily in summer and on weekends in fall.

Thornapple River

Rusk County

Length/Landings: Approx. 20 miles total.

Best paddling in higher water. The archetypal Northwoods River. Very little development along the shores. Navigable for nearly all of its length.

Turtle Flambeau Designated Quiet Area

Iron County

This area is accessed off of Murray’s Landing south of Mercer. This is a voluntary quiet area for those seeking a wilderness experience. There are many camping opportunities.

Turtle River Trail

Iron County

Length/Landings: Connects 17 different lakes; Multiple landings. This trail connects 17 different lakes with many put in and take out options. There are several class I and II rapids that sometimes require a portage. The most common access is along County H in Mercer.

Yellow River

Burnett & Washburn Counties

Length/Landings: 50 miles in Burnett, 12 miles in Washburn; Multiple landings. This beautiful river is narrow and meanders through farmland, wetland, forest and flows through two lakes.