Family Adventure Getaway: Wisconsin River: Kayaking & Camping Weekend

Devil's Lake: Weather

This beautiful stretch of the Wisconsin State Riverway is ideal for easy paddling and camping. Just a few hours northwest of Chicago, the Wisconsin River provides a perfect escape that surrounds you with beautiful scenery and the sounds of nature. If you and your family are looking for a weekend getaway that will refresh and reward you, look no further. Daily Itinerary

- Activities: Sea Kayaking & Camping
- Van Supported: No
- From: Mazomanie, WI
- 2008 Price: $295.00 Children under the age of 16 years old: $195
- Ages: 7 and up

- Registration Forms Here!

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Day 1: We meet at a local campground in Mazomanie, WI on Friday night, setting up camp and reviewing the weekend's plans and itinerary.

Day 2: We load our gear into kayaks and set off down the river. We set a relaxed pace that allows us ample time to relax on sandbars and explore nearby bluffs. Wildlife we may see include great blue heron, bald and golden eagles, sandhill cranes, deer and an abundance of small river mammals including otter and beaver. After an exciting day on the water we will relax at our campsite, often on a sandbar in the center of the river, and enjoy a hearty meal around a fire.

Day 3: We return to the river, paddling to the small town of Spring Green by early afternoon. We'll unload our kayaks and gear, bid farewell, and return to our respective homes Sunday evening.

**This itinerary is subject to change.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

Q: What makes this trip so special?
A: The Lower Wisconsin Riverway rolls through some of Wisconsin's most stunning scenery. As you paddle past the beautiful bluffs and scenic sandbars that accompany the river, you'll be experiencing a land rich in natural and cultural history. Known as "The hardest working River in America", the Wisconsin seems to kick back and relax as she meanders through the hills and plains of central Wisconsin. We'll put our kayaks in by the small town of Mazomanie and paddle this beautiful stretch of river towards Tower Hill State Park and beyond. Along the way, we'll have ample opportunities to get out and stretch our legs on sandbars. When we're ready, we'll pull off onto one of these sandbars for a comfortable night of rest. A wonderful weekend getaway!

Q: How do I get there?
A: Upon registering for the trip we'll send out a map and directions to our meeting location outside the town of Mazomanie, Wisconsin. Mazomanie lies about 30 minutes outside of Madison, and about three hours north of Chicago. Participants interested in carpooling can contact The Northwest Passage office for more information.

Q: What's the weather like?
A: The weather in Central Wisconsin can be very similar to weather in other parts of the Midwest. During the summer highs can be in the eighties with lows in the fifties. August will typically be warmer than early June. Rain is always a possibility, making it imperative that we bring appropriate rain gear.

Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: This is a camping trip. We will be providing family tents for the entire family to share and all necessary group camping equipment. On the first night we will be staying at a campground where you will have access to a bathroom as well as your cars. Our second night we'll be camping on the river. Restroom facilities will be au-natural or carried in and out by kayak. When traveling in the backcountry, NWP practices Leave No Trace camping techniques. This means that we will pack out all of our garbage, and minimize our impact on the land as much as possible. Your help in this endeavor is greatly appreciated!

Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Once you register you will receive an equipment list that will help guide you in your packing. In addition to your personal accessories, you will need to have an assortment of insulating clothes, a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. Feel free to contact our office for any questions regarding gear and/or clothing, as we want to make sure that you are comfortable during the trip.

Q: Can I drink the water?
A: While the water on the Wisconsin River is clean, we will be filtering the water with purification filters and/or iodine.

Q: What's the food like?
A: We plan for delicious food on the Lower Wisconsin Sea Kayaking trip - and plenty of it. Dinner on Saturday will be anything from Spaghetti to Fajitas with complementing appetizers and desserts.

Q: What time is it on the Lower Wisconsin?
A: The Lower Wisconsin Riverway is on Central Standard Time.

Q: How can people reach me in an emergency? Can I call home?
A: There will be a public phone at the campsite on our first night, however once we get on the river we won't have access to any phones. Therefore, we suggest that you take care of any personal matters prior to the trip departure. We will be asking you to provide us with an emergency contact whom we can contact on your behalf if necessary.

Q: How much time do we spend kayaking etc. each day? How many miles do we travel? Do I have free time?
A: We will be kayaking up to 15 miles each day. On Saturday we will begin the day with an introduction and/or review to basic sea kayaking making this trip ideal for those without much experience. We are generally off the water by mid afternoon giving you plenty of time to relax in the evening. On Sunday we will aim to finish by 2 PM so you can get home at a decent hour.

Q: What kind of equipment do you use?
A: We use high quality, durable equipment for all of our kayaking and camping purposes. Our tents are either Eureka or Kelty lightweight tents and we have a variety of polyethylene sea kayaks.

Q: How many people are on this trip? How many guides? Who are the guides/what are their qualifications?
A: The minimum group size is 5. Generally our groups are fairly small (between 5-10 people), and we maintain a ratio of one guide for every five participants. Our guides are all experienced in all aspects of wilderness travel and have years of experience leading groups. They all hold certifications in Wilderness First Aid.

Q: Can I plug in my hair dryer? What about my electric razor?
A: On the first night we will have access to a bathroom with full facilities, however the second night we will be on our own with no electricity.

Fact Sheet - Itinerary - Common Questions - Top of Page

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