Kickapoo River
This is one of the most popular paddling rivers in Wisconsin. This narrow and twisty river is a lot of fun and super scenic because of all its dramatics sandstone outcrops.
Trip Reports
Keystone to Michigan Road
Date Paddled: March 20th, 2023
Distance: 6.3 miles
Time: Expect 3 hours
What's the furthest upstream point on the Kickapoo you can kayak? Time to find out in this winter/ice version of the Kickapoo River by Wilton.
Read More...Wilton to Nicolette Ave
Date Paddled: June 5th, 2016
Distance: 7.6 Miles
Time: 6 hours
A guest review for the far upper stretch of the Kickapoo River. A beautiful segment but with some logjam issues.
Read More...Hwy 131 to Hwy 131
Date Paddled: March 7th, 2021
Distance: 3.9 miles
Time: Expect 2 hours
This is a fantastic but obscure stretch on the upper Kickapoo that few know about. Trip highlights were the many pine-topped sandstone bluffs decorated with ice flows from frozen springs. The river was also free of logjams--a past bane for paddlers.
Read More...Bridge Upstream of School to Ontario
Date Paddled: June 16th, 2013
Distance: 5 Miles
Time:
While the Kickapoo is one of the most popular paddle rivers in the Midwest, virtually nobody does the sections upstream of Ontario. Before doing this trip I had heard mixed stories about the navigability of the far upper sections. I emailed a local tour operator (Fred Flasher) who said he had actually done the Kickapoo […]
Read More...Ontario to Bridge #7
Date Paddled: August 28th, 2010
Distance: 8.5 Miles
Time:
In terms of popularity the Kickapoo is one of the most popular canoe and kayak rivers in Wisconsin. Probably doesn’t have quite the rental volume of the lower Wisconsin River, but certainly has the highest paddler to river mile ratio in the state. What makes the Kickapoo attractive is the relatively clean water (at least […]
Read More...Bridge 4 to Bridge 7
Date Paddled: July 22nd, 2021
Distance: 6.0 miles
Time: Expect 2-3 hours
This is one of the greatest legs on one of the greatest paddling rivers in Southern Wisconsin.
Read More...Bridge 7 to Bridge 14
Date Paddled: July 20th, 2024
Distance: 7.7 miles
Time: Expect 3-4 hours
This is a tweener stretch between Ontario and La Farge. While not as popular and not having as many outcrops as upstream legs, it's still very scenic and features some of the larger rock formations on the river.
Read More...Rockton Landing to La Farge Landing
Date Paddled: September 17th, 2012
Distance: 11 Miles
Time:
Of all paddling rivers in Wisconsin this might be the most popular. And of all sections on the Kickapoo, this is probably the second best stretch to run after Ontario to Rockton. There are a large number of landings on the river, at least shuttle/rental services, so you do have a lot of options as […]
Read More...La Farge Public Landing to Hwy 131
Date Paddled: April 16th, 2016
Distance: 6.72 miles
Time: 3 hours 24 minute
One of the busiest water trails in the state comes to an abrupt halt at La Farge. Few want to go further because of log jams, but are these fears validated? Time to find out.
Read More...Tourist Park Readstown to Soldiers Grove Canoe Access
Date Paddled: October 2nd, 2023
Distance: 7.1 miles
Time: Expect 3-4 hours
This is an ok stretch of the Lower Kickapoo with decent current and some nice Driftless Area hills. But there are no riverside cliffs.
Read More...Plum Creek Landing to Hwy 60 Landing
Date Paddled: September 1st, 2023
Distance: 6.6 miles
Time: Expect 3 hours
While lacking outcrops, this lower Kickapoo trip is still a pleasant paddle and features some really nice bluffs.
Read More...Overview Map
Quick Overview
- Wilton to Ontario: 12 miles. This stretch is seldom paddled, but is cleaner and faster than downstream legs. Those willing to endure weedy bridge accesses and occasional snags will be rewarded with spectacular outcrops. A very underrated part of the river.
- Ontario to Rockton: 13.5 miles. This is the most popular section for kayaking on the river (if not the entire state). Highlights include many spectacular sandstone outcrops. This stretch can easily be subdivided. Shuttle services are plentiful, but this leg can get crowded and noisy during summer weekends.
- Rockton to La Farge: 11 miles. This is the second most popular stretch of the river. While the outcrops here aren’t as numerous as the Ontario leg, they do tend to be larger and more impressive.
- La Farge to Mouth: ~90 miles. After La Farge there are few rock outcrops and the river becomes much less interesting. The Lower Kickapoo is a generic hardwood floodplain that is at best a mediocre paddle.
- Tributaries:
- Kickapoo River – West Fork: While lacking the outcrops of the main branch and a bit shallow in spots, this is a very underrated river with many fun rapids.
- Billings Creek: I actually like this creek better than the main river itself. There are just as many outcrops, and the water and banks are much cleaner.
- Tainter Creek: While not very big and lacking in outcrops, it’s still a cool creek with very swift current.
Detailed Overview
- Upstream from Lincoln Ave: The river is likely too small and degraded by open pasture to have much appeal for kayaking. Although "Kickapoo Springs" (the primary source of the river and a public DNR area) might be interesting.
- Lincoln Ave to Keystone Road: 2.5 miles. The river is small here (likely too small for most paddlers) and more scruffy with fewer outcrops. Figure 1-2 logjams and 3 outcrops. Several of the Elroy-Sparta Trail bridges are quite scenic/rustic. High water will be required to do this stretch.
- Lincoln Ave to Hwy 131 (East of Midge Road): 6.3 miles.
- Lincoln Ave to Hwy 71: 1.6 miles. Section includes five outcrops, including one really nice one. River is shallow here with many Class 1 rapids. There is one strainer that has to be portaged, but no other logjams. I encountered a bull on this stretch (here) which might be a deal breaker for most paddlers. You could possibly portage around the farm in question along the Elroy-Sparta Trail but it would be a long and difficult portage.
- Hwy 71 to Wilton Campground/Library: 0.7 miles. A nice stretch with ~3 mediocre outcrops and one really nice one. Water clarity is stunning here. There is a low tree that requires some tight ducking to get under.
- Wilton Campground/Library to Hwy 131(by Posey Creek): 1.4 miles. Less attractive stretch but still ~4 mediocre outcrops. There is a serious logjam by Water Street that must be portaged.
- Hwy 131 (by Posey Creek) to Hwy 131 (by Mica Rd): 1.3 miles. A terrific stretch with scenic pine trees, several mediocre outcrops and one fantastic sandstone outcrop.
- Hwy 131 (by Mica Rd) to Hwy 131 (East of Midge Rd): 0.7 miles. More of a scruffy stretch, but still a few mediocre outcrops. The Black Valley hills in the distance are very scenic from this leg.
- Hwy 131 (East of Midge Road) to Hwy 131 (near Nicollet Ave): 4.1 miles.
- Hwy 131 (east of Midge) to Hwy 131 (by Michigan Ave): 0.5 miles. A good leg with one nice set of outcrops.
- Hwy 131 (by Michigan Ave) to Hwy 131: 0.6 miles. Another good leg with 3 outcrops. Some minor rapids, including a 4-6" ledge.
- Hwy 131 to Hwy 131 (by Nisswa Rd): 0.6 miles. One of the best legs on the Upper Kickapoo which features 6 noteworthy outcrops and terrific ice flows in February and early March.
- Hwy 131 (by Nisswa Rd) to Hwy 131 (by Nordale Ave): 1.1 miles. Not as scenic as other legs with messy shorelines and eroded banks. There are still a few nice outcrops.
- Hwy 131 (by Nordale Ave) to Hwy 131 (by Nicollet Ave): 1.3 miles. Another one of the Upper Kickapoo's best legs with ~6 outcrops, including a small natural bridge you can paddle through.
- Hwy 131 (near Nicollet Ave) to Ontario: 5 miles.
- Hwy 131 (by Nicollet Ave) to Hwy 131 (Oil City): 2.3 miles. Two long stretches of bluffs contain great outcrops.
- Hwy 131 (Oil City) to Hwy 131 (Kickapoo Wild Adventures): 1.4 miles. Terrific stretch with two major outcrops. One set of Class 2 rapids.
- Hwy 131 (Kickapoo Wild Adventures) to Ontario (Brey Valley Road Park): 1.5 miles. One set of outcrops.
- Ontario to Hwy 131/Bridge #4: 3.6 miles. A more open and flatter stretch of the Kickapoo. There are still 3-4 outcrops. This is THE most popular leg on the entire river.
- Bridge #4 to Bridge #7: 6.0 miles.
- Bridge #4 to Wildcat Landing: 3.1 miles. A super popular stretch and the most scenic on the Kickapoo. River flows past steep hillsides and many outcrops (at least 16).
- Wildcat Landing to Bridge #5: 0.9 miles. River opens up a bit, but still three super sandstone outcrops.
- Bridge #5 to Bridge #7: 2.1 miles. A good stretch with seven major outcrops and one cave.
- Bridge #7 to Bridge #14: 7.7 miles.
- Bridge #7 to Bridge #8: 1.2 miles. From bridge #7 onward, the Kickapoo becomes much less interesting. There are still some good spots though. This stretch has maybe 3 outcrops.
- Bridge #8 to Bridge #10: 2.5 miles. A good stretch with 5-6 outcrops.
- Bridge #10 to Rockton/Landing #12: 1.4 miles. This stretch is more open, and less interesting. But there are still 3-4 mediocre outcrops.
- Rockton to P/Bridge 14 Canoe Landing: 2.4 miles. A scenic stretch with 5 noteworthy outcrops. Three of which are huge.
- Bridge #14 to La Farge: 8.0 miles. A great stretch with a covered bridge and 4-5 outcrops...several of which are huge (the largest on the river).
- La Farge to Hwy 131 (by Ski Hill Road): 6.8 miles. Nice section but with a few jams.
- Hwy 131/Ski Hill Road to Viola (Banker Park): 7.0 miles. Maybe 2 bluffs, but mostly open I think. Have been told there are 26 portages between La Farge and Viola, so beware.
- Viola to Hwy 131 - Bridge 1: 5.8 miles. Maybe one outcrop and 14 major logjams.
- Hwy 131 - Bridge 1 to Hwy 131 - Bridge 2: 4.3 miles. Maybe one outcrop and 13 major logjams.
- Hwy 131 Bridge 2 to Readstown Tourist Park: 3.0 miles. Maybe one outcrop and three major logjams. The river grows significantly with the addition of the West Fork.
- Readstown Tourist Park to Soldiers Grove: 6.9 miles.
- Readstown to Hwy 61: 3.1 miles. A surprisingly nice stretch with impressive hills and good current. On the downside there is a lot of tree debris although it is always avoidable. Hwy 61 is not a good access.
- Hwy 61 to Soldiers Grove: 3.8 miles. Not as good as the previous leg with fewer hills, muddier banks, and slower current but still not bad. The highlights include a few impressive bluffs and two minor rapids in Soldiers Grove.
- Soldiers Grove to Hwy B: 9.0 miles. I doubt there are logjams, but I think this stretch would not be very interesting. The river flows through one of the wider flood bottoms on the river.
- Hwy B to Gays Mills: 4 miles. Probably not interesting. A dam and flowage to contend with near Gays Mills.
- Gays Mills to Hwy S: 4.6 miles.
- Hwy S to Haney Valley Road: 5.8 miles.
- Haney Valley Road to Taylor Ridge Road: 3.6 miles. Likely an ok prospect. Note, Taylor Ridge Road is aggressively fenced by the local farmer and would be a difficult access.
- Taylor Ridge Road to Steuben Landing: 5.0 miles. A good prospect with likely some nice bluffs. Note, Taylor Ridge Road is aggressively fenced by the local farmer and would be a difficult access.
- Steuben Landing to Hwy 179: 2.9 miles. A mediocre prospect.
- Hwy 179 to Plum Creek Landing: 11.8 miles. A good prospect with nice bluffs.
- Plum Creek Landing to Hwy 60: 6.7 miles. Starts uninteresting with fast current, but features some surprisingly nice bluffs and overall was a decent trip.
- Hwy 60 to Lowell Geitz Memorial Boat Landing: 2.7 miles. This stretch mostly lacks interesting bluffs but does feature wetgrass and floodplain forests as part of the Wauzeka Bottoms State Natural Area.
- Take-out options on the Wisconsin River:
- Lowell Geitz Memorial Boat Landing to Adiantum Woods State Natural Area: 2.5 miles. This is mostly a downstream trip on the Wisconsin River.
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Comments
Thank you!
I so love your entries. Beautiful photos, excellent narration on all things while paddling.
Hi Jim,
I'm not as familiar with those campsites. I recommend calling the Kickapoo Valley Reserve 608-625-2960 for more info.
I'm looking to paddle the Kickapoo from Ontario to LaFarge this summer with kids. I'm thinking we would camp at one of the river side KVR sites. I'm thinking sites W, S, X or maybe M. Can anyone provide a review or recommendation of those sites? Thanks
There are a number of rentals in the area:
- Kickapoo Wild Adventures: 608.337.4522 – 30352 State Hwy 131, Norwalk, WI 54648
- Drifty’s Canoe Rental: 608.337.4288 – Highway 33 & 131, North Ontario, WI 54651
- Fred Flasher’s Canoe Camping Trips: (608) 435-6802 – PO Box 114, Wilton, WI 54670
- Mr. Ducks Canoe Rental: (608) 337-4711 – 100 Main Street, Ontario, Wisconsin 54651
- Titanic Canoe Rental: 1-877-438-7865 – 300 State Highway 131, Ontario, WI 54651
Where can my husband & I rent 2 kayaks for a paddle Oct 21-23. Driving up from Milwaukee area but do not wanna trailer our kayaks that far on the freeway. Want to experience the Kickapoo river on kayaks
How many logjams did you face?
My husband and I did the Wilton to Ontario route yesterday. Very beautiful but very exhausting. I’d definitely recommend doing it at least once.
I agree...I think the pre-Ontario section is as good as the post-Ontario section despite it not being as popular. Great to hear about the cleanup efforts...thanks as always for the updates.
I did the section from Nordale to Bridge #5 on 3/30/21, the trip was about 14 miles and took was about 5 hours including a 30 min lunch break The gauge was at 8.94 ft, which was OK, there were a few shallow spots,but we never had to get out of the boat. There were a few obstacles to avoid but no complete blockages, and we cleared out a few partial blockages and did some lopping of low hanging branches so this section is in pretty good shape right now. We enjoyed the upper section as much if not more than the section from bridge #1- #5, and would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little smaller, intimate and less crowded than the typical sections serviced by all the commercial canoe/kayak operations on the Kickapoo. We did a car shuttle, it would be a pretty bike shuttle but there are a couple of decent hills to contend with. Parking is $5 but it goes to a good cause....according to the parking form "All fees go directly to maintaining, improving, and protecting the Reserve"
I think if the river had been much lower than the 266 CFS, 3.63 ft, it may have been a challenge to past a lot of trees that were laying across the river, although it would have been easier to get under that one squeaker.
Thanks Gail. This is good to hear that the logjam situation isn't worse given the horrendous floods the Kickapoo faced earlier this year.
Five of us did the run from Rockton to LaFarge September 5, 2017. CFS at La Farge USGS 05408000 was 266, river depth 3.63 ft. We did the 10 miles in 3 hrs. 10 mins. with no stops. Portable toilets were at both the put in and take out.
We moved along nicely with no log jams, although 2 miles from the take out, one tree crossed the river, and we just squeaked under it. All in all, the unparalleled beauty of Wisconsin is showcased on this section of the Kickapoo River. We'll be back.
How did your trip turn out? Questions or comments? Feel free to leave your feedback.
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