Kickapoo River
To help celebrate our 10 year anniversery we’re adding a new river to our offerings.
Are you looking for something a little different to paddle this year? Have you been paddling a favorite stretch of the Wisconsin River and ready for a different experience? Try the Kickapoo River!
We are opening up roughly 70 miles of river from Viola to Wauzeka and then onto the Wisconsin River. You can spend your entire trip on the Kickapoo or use it as a starting point to paddle onto the Wisconsin River and continue on down river from there…add on the Mississippi River and that’s our 3 Rivers Trip.
What’s the Kickapoo River like?
The Kickapoo is from 30-60 feet wide, a small intemite river that runs through the hills of the Driftless Area. You’ll see hills and bluffs in the distance as well as right up to the water in stretches. The river twists and turns making it difficult to see more than 200 yards down river before it turns again, the Kickapoo is known as the "Crookedest River on Earth." The river has generally high banks and you’ll also drift through farm fields as you wind your way south towards the Wisconsin River. On a windy day the Kickapoo is a great place to be because you won’t have to paddle far before the river will change direction and you’ll have the wind at your back.
View Kickapoo River – Viola to Wauzeka in a larger map |
What’s the camping like?
Over the years we’ve had many people request opportunities to camp at places where they could walk to a grocery store or restaurant to eat rather that bring all of the food they’d need for their trip with them, the Kickapoo offers that opportunity. With the exception of the Plum Creek takeout, you’ll camp in the towns along the Kickapoo River in established city run campgrounds. Most of the towns have a grocery store, convenient store, restaurants and bars within a short walk of the campground.
Most of the land along the river is PRIVATE property. DO NOT attempt to camp on the shoreline, please camp only in designated campgrounds in towns along the river.
Do we have to camp, is there other lodging available?
There are some small motels as well as Bed and Breakfasts to stay at along the way. Check back to this page or email us for a list of establishments that can help you. You’ll most likely need to arrange with the propriator transportation to and from the river.
Not a beginner trip
Unlike the Wisconsin River there are not a lot of places to jump out and stretch your legs on the Kickapoo River. Preparing yourself to be in your canoe for a few hours at a time is an important thing to prepare yourself for. Much of the land along the river is private property and should be respected. Based on water levels you will find some small sand bars to hop out of your canoe every few hours and to stop for lunch.
Finally, the Kickapoo is an OUTSTANDING fall river to paddle! With the steep hills and bluffs and the hardwoods changing colors it is a special river to be on when the leaves change.
