This is an exquisite trip through a protected wildlife corridor with baby rapids and lots of boulders. “I almost always see an owl on that trip,” says Bauer. “It’s a really splendid one.” Bonus points for the local bike path that parallels much of the voyage, eliminating the need for a car one-way if you leave bikes at the takeout spot. Caveat: Check water levels to make sure they’re not too low here. Put in: Veterans Memorial Park in DeForest Take out: Windsor Road in Windsor Length: 5.5 miles
Recommendations from Timothy Bauer, author of “Canoeing & Kayaking South Central Wisconsin: 60 Paddling Adventures Within 60 Miles of Madison,” as told to Maggie Ginsberg.
