A great article about canoeing the Kickapoo River in my old stomping grounds of southwestern Wisconsin.

Thanks for the link, I really enjoyed it! We've passed the mouth of the Kickapoo a couple times on the Wisconsin River and actually paddled up the current a ways just to say "We've paddled on the Kickapoo." I'd like to really spend some time there one of these days. Those hills are beautiful in that area. Darn, I miss Wisconsin and sometimes wish we'd never moved back south. And then, when I'm paddling on the Current River come along January......

I base-camped for a weekend in KVR last year, and it was great. Paddling the whole way from Ontario to La Farge is on my bucket list for when my life changes and allows me to do more than just work and panic.

We just paddled it today! Our daughter and her boyfriend ( who are visiting from out east), and our son spent the night at Wildcat State Park. We were going to camp on the river, but decided it was easier just to stay in the park, and then we could hike the Settlers trail also. Today we paddled from the park to bridge 10. Saw a lot of cedar waxwings, black billed cuckoos and other birds. The water level was pretty low. We had to watch where we went, but did not have to get out at all. It was a very relaxing day, but before we got to the take out we heard loud music coming from that area. The takeout has a nice sandy area and a campsite which was occupied by some party going people. Other than that it was a very relaxing day.

The Upper Iowa River is also an awesome place....not as muddy as the Kickapoo River. And it you can ever do the Current River in Missouri in the fall when the crowds have gone....that is really the best.

dr bob

4keys: "We just paddled it today! Our daughter and her boyfriend ( who are visiting from out east), and our son spent the night at Wildcat State Park. We were going to camp on the river, but decided it was easier just to stay in the park, and then we could hike the Settlers trail also. Today we paddled from the park to bridge 10. Saw a lot of cedar waxwings, black billed cuckoos and other birds. The water level was pretty low. We had to watch where we went, but did not have to get out at all. It was a very relaxing day, but before we got to the take out we heard loud music coming from that area. The takeout has a nice sandy area and a campsite which was occupied by some party going people. Other than that it was a very relaxing day.
"

Did exactly that about 3 yrs ago as a 2-day stop-over on my return from BWCA. I did enjoy the paddling but to be honest, wouldn't do it again. BWCA uniqueness has spoiled me terribly.

mjmkjun: "

4keys: "We just paddled it today! Our daughter and her boyfriend ( who are visiting from out east), and our son spent the night at Wildcat State Park. We were going to camp on the river, but decided it was easier just to stay in the park, and then we could hike the Settlers trail also. Today we paddled from the park to bridge 10. Saw a lot of cedar waxwings, black billed cuckoos and other birds. The water level was pretty low. We had to watch where we went, but did not have to get out at all. It was a very relaxing day, but before we got to the take out we heard loud music coming from that area. The takeout has a nice sandy area and a campsite which was occupied by some party going people. Other than that it was a very relaxing day.
"

Did exactly that about 3 yrs ago as a 2-day stop-over on my return from BWCA. I did enjoy the paddling but to be honest, wouldn't do it again. BWCA uniqueness has spoiled me terribly. "

Our daughter was only home in WI for 4 days and really wanted to get some paddling in. Our son lives in Madison and we live in Necedah so this was the best option for us this time. And it is a pretty river when no one else is on it.

Any reports upriver form Ontario, like from Wilton? Good stuff here. And from LaFarge Wauzeka? Somewhere around 115 miles WIlton to Wauzeka. Finding campsites might be difficult in some areas though.

DrBobDg: "The Upper Iowa River is also an awesome place....not as muddy as the Kickapoo River. And it you can ever do the Current River in Missouri in the fall when the crowds have gone....that is really the best.


dr bob"

Both the Upper Iowa River and the Yellow River (Iowa) are beautiful, clear rivers. I don't think the Yellow ever draws a crowd.
We paddled two days the Kickapoo River last September and really enjoyed it. There was a party of about 10 green Discoveries full of Amish paddlers in front of us until lunch. They were splashing, hollering, and having quit the party on the river.

DrBobDg: "And it you can ever do the Current River in Missouri in the fall when the crowds have gone....that is really the best.
dr bob"

October IS the best month, but even in mid-summer you can avoid crowds if you try. We took board member DownStrm last week and only saw a couple boats on a beautiful summer day!

Our Scout Troop did the Kickapoo a couple years ago. We camped @ Wildcat Mountain and daytripped the stretch from Ontario to just past the park. Awesome scenery, want to go back sometime. Maybe even go further into the KVR and camp there.

I live in Decorah, on the Upper Iowa, and it is gorgeous from the MN border on down. The Yellow is also great. If considering the Upper Iowa or other WI streams, here is an amazing online resource I found:
Miles Paddled

I never paddle the Kickapoo on weekends. It's become the playground for big flotillas of rowdy drunks.
Last year I paddled her in November with nary another human in sight.....perfect!

Was on the Kickapoo last weekend and it was very crowded with partiers. The most technical part was dodging all the tubers and boaters. I still enjoyed the float. Whenever I spend a weekend at a public "party" campground, it makes me appreciate the "crowded BWCA". I imagine it would be really nice during the week.