Flambeau River (North Fork) in Wisconsin

by  guest-paddler

A self-supported trip created by guest-paddler

Trip Overview


If you love to kayak here is a wild and scenic section of the North Fork of the Flambeau. It will test your skills and thrill you, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.

This section of the river is a corridor of the Flambeau State forest. You will not see any development between the two landings. You will feel like you are in Canada as you pass thru this section of the river. You will likely spot Eagles, Otters and other wildlife.

The section of the river is north of Park Falls, WI. It is a 3- mile piece of mild whitewater that has eight sets of rapids. All of the rapids are rated class 1 or class 2. The flow is quick with numerous ripples between the rapids.

If you go to the website www.paddleflambeau.com you can view the section of the river online, or find a printed brochure at the Smith Rapids Campground. The starting point is at Holts Landing, and the takeout is at Agenda Landing. To get there take first avenue/Agenda Rd. north out of Park falls to Hoot Owl Rd. to Flambeau River Rd. to Creamery Rd.

We do not recommend running this section with a canoe. It can be run in a kayak, but the dark water and boulders encountered just under the surface could make it challenging to stay upright in lower water levels with a kayak.

It can be run in a hour and a half. Plan on getting wet. Good river reading skills are required. There are some boulders and boulder gardens that can test your skills at turning. We have run this section twice this August with two 2-person tandem inflatable Kayaks called Tomcats. See their website www.aire.com/AIRE/TomcatII.shtml these are inflatable rafts that can handle the whitewater up to a class 4. They can handle the rocks, the narrow routes and shallow water you may encounter in low water levels.

The whole Flambeau River can be canoed or kayaked. This is only one very special section. The river can be run from the Turtle Dam at the outlet of the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, for about 90 miles, up to Big Falls Dam.

Accommodations:

Smith Rapids campground.

Fees:

None

Directions:

The section of the river is just North of Park Falls, WI.
Take First Avenue/Agenda Rd. North out of Park Falls to Hoot Owl Rd. to Flambeau River Rd. to Creamery Rd.

Launches:

Starting point is at Holts Landing, and the takeout is at Agenda Landing. It is a 3 mile river run, done in 2 hours; 2 miles between landings.

Resources:

Go to the website www.paddleflambeau.com for online maps.

Trip Details

  • Trip Duration: Day Trip
  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Water Type: River/Creek (Up to Class II)

Trip Location