Water Trails in Wisconsin
With more than 15,000 lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers and 800 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Wisconsin has no shortage of paddling opportunities. Water trails provide access points, resting places and attractions for watercraft users on lakes and rivers. In Wisconsin, some trails are interpretive routes, some take paddlers to campsites, and some connect communities. Still, all allow visitors to experience the natural beauty of our state with this original mode of transportation.
For multi-day paddle trips, visitors should follow guidelines for overnight parking on DNR lands.
Great Lakes Water Trails
Water trails in state parks and forests
The following parks and forests have precisely mapped or marked water trail routes.
- Big Bay State Park - Lake Superior Water Trail
- Brule River State Forest
- Buckhorn State Park
- Flambeau River State Forest
- Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
- Perrot State Park
- Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest
- Wyalusing State Park
A specially adapted kayak is available for people with disabilities at Buckhorn, Devil's Lake, Mirror Lake and Perrot state parks.
Flowages and other DNR properties
Wild and Scenic Rivers
Wisconsin's Wild and Scenic Rivers are great places to paddle.
- Lower Wisconsin State Riverway
- Pine and Popple Wild Rivers
- Pike Wild River
- Totagatic Wild River
- National Wild and Scenic Rivers System [exit DNR]
Other water trails in Wisconsin
- Baraboo River [exit DNR]
- Fabulous Fox Water Trail [exit DNR]
- Great Pinery Heritage Waterway (Wausau) [exit DNR]
- Jefferson County Waterways [exit DNR]
- Kickapoo River [exit DNR]
- Lake Michigan Water Trail
- Lower Wisconsin State Riverway [exit DNR]
- Milwaukee Urban Water Trail [exit DNR]
- Rock River Water Trail [exit DNR]
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway [exit DNR]
- Yahara Waterways Trail (Madison) [exit DNR]
Biking and paddling trails
Several of Wisconsin's state trails are ideal for bike and paddle trips—sections of these former rail corridors parallel rivers and streams. You can paddle downstream and then bike back to your starting point. Most of these trails require a state trail pass for bikers aged 16 and older.
- 400 State Trail (Baraboo River)
- Ahnapee State Trail (Ahnapee River)
- Chippewa River State Trail
- Great River State Trail (Mississippi River)
- Oconto River State Trail
- Old Abe State Trail (Chippewa River)
- Red Cedar State Trail (Red Cedar River)
- Sugar River State Trail