Paddle Wisconsin's beautiful Namekagon River as it twists and turns through large cutbacks in glacial moraine lake country, a great place for novices and accomplished paddlers alike. Paddle past big sand "eskers," winding sand hills created when the glaciers receded from the area, and paddle lively yet easily navigated rapids. Watch eagles soar and deer drink at the shoreline. Spot rare river otters along pine and balsam-lined banks. Camp on historic Big Island, the site of fur trade gatherings in days gone by. The Namekagon is a tributary of the St. Croix River and is protected by the National Park Service as a Wild and Scenic Riverway. This trip makes for a great kid-friendly vacation or vacation with teenagers. Get a taste of river life in a wild area just around the corner from civilization!
Sample Itinerary
Please note: While the itinerary presented is an accurate depiction of what your trip will be like, it is only an example. Our trips are real adventures in the outdoors--not pre-packaged tours that happen on a schedule.
DAY 1: Your trip starts in the early afternoon at County K Landing on the Namekagon River in Wisconsin. After you arrive you will review personal gear, repack into Duluth packs and participate in a canoe orientation. Launch the canoes after lunch and paddle a few miles to your first camp at Whispering Pines. Talk about expectations around the campfire.
DAY 2: After breakfast, load gear in the canoes to continue your trip down river. Expect to see bald eagles, herons, and other wildlife as you paddle. The sandy banks will bring you past white pines, hardwoods and marshes. After stopping for short breaks and lunch, you'll end the day at Howell Landing.
DAY 3: Rise with the sun to be on the river early. You will navigate your way approximately 13 miles down river. This section of the river has a number of twists and turns and some gentle rapids that give you the opportunity to perfect your paddling skills. As a group, you will camp at the site of your choice between Webb Creek and Namekagon Trail Landing.
DAY 4: After breaking camp, pack up the canoes one last time for the final leg of the journey to Riverside Landing on the St. Croix. From Webb Creek you'll paddle down river to the confluence of the Namekagon and the St. Croix Rivers. As the Namekagon joins the St. Croix River it becomes wider with fewer bends. Pay attention to water flow, as you will get a chance to test your new canoeing skills on small rapids near Big Island. The trip officially ends in the early afternoon after lunch.
Travel, Terrain, Etc...
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: The river banks are generally low, sand bars are frequent, and some rocks are scattered along our route. There are no portages along this route. There are several route options on the Namekagon. We will pick the best one based on the water levels at the time of the trip. The Namekagon offers a combination of gentle rapids and smooth flowing current.
TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: You will travel in 17-foot Old Town Tripper canoes, which hold two to three paddlers, plus all necessary gear. An average days' travel consists of 3-6 hours of paddling, depending upon the weather. Travel distances vary from 5-15 miles per day. To protect the environment, WI uses Leave No Trace camping techniques.
WEATHER: Temperatures in the summer months range from 45 F to 95 F. Rainfall can vary and you should expect one or two days of rain.
LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: This is a camping trip. At night you will sleep in a comfortable Eureka Timberline tent. Typically, there are 3 people per 4 person tent (although other arrangements can be made). We recommend that you bring your own personal sleeping bag and "camprest" foam core inflatable mattress (a limited number of sleeping bags and mattresses are available as loaners for individuals who need them). Bathroom facilities consist of an outhouse or a foldable commode chair set up in a privacy tent. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.
GROUP SIZE: The group size ranges from 10 to 12 participants, plus 2 or more Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities. This trip makes for a great kid-friendly vacation or vacation with teenagers. This is also a great creative field trip idea for college students as well as summer adventure camps.
CAMP CHORES: Our trips are cooperative in nature. WI staff will assist you in whatever areas you need, however most people pitch in where they can. Part of the adventure involves learning about daily camp activities.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. Wilderness Inquiry will provide all necessary canoeing and camping equipment. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a sleeping bag. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear, that can usually be arranged.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: No previous experience is needed to complete this trip.
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Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.
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The St. Croix and Namekagon River system was one of the first rivers to be preserved as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation protects 250 miles of river corridor for its scenic and recreational values. While paddling this river system we'll experience several ecosystems and abundant plant and animal life.
Aquatic mammals such as otters, mink, beavers and muskrats make their homes in the riparian zone and feed on the river's fish and vegetation. During the mornings and in the evenings we may glimpse white-tail deer, or the shy black bear, as they forage along the river banks. Overhead we'll spot eagles, osprey, hawks and vultures. A mixed forest of maples, cottonwoods, willows and pines attracted 19th century loggers to the region. They cleared the timber and used the river to transport the logs.
In the early 20th century farming was the livelihood for most settlers as the forests were all but cleared. The farming industry was short lived due to poor soil conditions and the ensuing depression. In the mid 1930's government relief programs assisted the farmers and the failing local economy by purchasing their lands and creating recreation areas. Acquired farmland became known as the St. Croix Recreational Demonstration Area and an era of preservation and conservation followed.
With the 1968 National Wild and Scenic designation, the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers will always be preserved as wilderness. It's easy to lose track of time while floating these lazy rivers and watching its wild inhabitants.
The Namakagon is a great river for everyone to paddle. It's perfect for summer adventure camps, disability summer camp, kid-friendly vacation and kid-friendly camping. If you are interested in a family vacation with teenagers this is one of the best vacations with teens that you could do--all ages, backgrounds and abilities love this river.
For more information, visit these links:
Washburn County - Rivers Info
St. Croix/Namekagon Scenic Riverway
Namekagon River Map
Namekagon River Photographs
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