Kayaking in Wisconsin
Kayaking Trips in Wisconsin
Want to surf some waves on the largest freshwater lake in North America? How about a 330-mile river trip? Wisconsin has all of this and more! Whether you're looking for a guided trip, kayak rentals, self-guided, day trip, multi-day trip, or anything in between, there's a kayak trip in Wisconsin for you! If you've paddled Wisconsin before, be sure to share your trip with the rest of us!
Planning the trip of a lifetime? Check out these
- Brought to you by the Water Sports Foundation and the SFRBTF administered by the U.S. Coast Guard -
Guide to Kayaking in Wisconsin
From the ocean-like freshwater of Lake Superior to the 84,000 miles of rivers, you are sure to find a beautiful place to paddle your kayak! A few highlights of places to paddle include:
- Lake Michigan and Lake Superior
- Over 15,000 lakes
- Lake Winnebago
- The Apostle Islands
- 84,000+ miles of rivers
- River trails
Kayaking Locations in Wisconsin
If you want to plot your own route, check out all paddling locations in Wisconsin! Search thousands of put-in and take-out locations on our Paddling Locations Map and be sure to download the Go Paddling app where you can save favorites or create and share a float plan!
Plan a Kayaking Trip in Wisconsin
Throughout the decades, many of our community members have paddled throughout Wisconsin and were so generous to share their paddling experiences with us in a trip report. Read a few examples of Wisconsin community trip reports below:
Have you paddled in Wisconsin? Post Your Trip and share with the community!
Kayak Outfitters in Wisconsin
Looking to rent a kayak or go on a guided trip? Check out these outfitters in Wisconsin:
- WI River Outings - Boscobel, WI
- Whitecap Kayak - Washburn, WI
Articles about Wisconsin Paddling
The Great Lakes: A Little Slice of the Sea
Deep in the heart of North America, surrounded by forest and field, there is an ocean. A vast inland sea containing nearly a quarter of the world's fresh water — enough to flood the lower 48 states to a depth of almost ten feet — the Great Lakes contain upwards of 35,000 islands, and their 10,000 miles of shore rival that of the US ocean coastlines.
Canoecopia had its humble beginning back in 1976, when the present day organizer, Darren Bush, had hippie hair and a Grumman canoe. It started off as a sidewalk sale for the Madison, Wisconsin outdoor store, Rutabaga. Now it's rated as the largest outdoor show in North America, bringing in over 20,000 visitors who shop for gear and become educated.