Hello fellow Southern WI & Northern IL Paddlers,

I've read a few sections in posts here on BWCA about the White River and also read the two articles on milespaddled.com, however I was hoping to gain some more knowledge about this section of the White.

1. Can you put in at Lake Geneva?

2. It looks like it can also be a spirited paddle during the spring with higher water levels. From the milespaddled.com articles it looks like some drops should be portaged. Any other safety concerns?

3. Looks like there is potential to get wet. Are splash tops and pants appropriate for spring time running on this section?

We will either be running a Wenonah Aurora or Northstar Northwind 17. Anything additional that you could share would be great.

Thanks!
-Brad

I have done this trip several times from the grounds of the Grand Geneva Resort (formerly a PlayBoy Club) located just off Hwy 50 east of the town of Lake Geneva. Just follow the entrance road from Hwy 50 onto the resort grounds until you cross the White River on the grounds. It actually looks more like a creek. Go with the flow and in a few hours you will be in Burlington at Echo Lake where there is a park to leave a vehicle. The river is small meandering stream with good flow, but I don’t recall any rapids.

Full disclosure - I first did this trip in the early 1970s and again in the late 1980s. I understand that people still do it. At one point, you pass by a farm where the owner had strung a cable across the river to block passage. We lifted over it and continued on. I have no idea if this still exists. I recall no safety concerns.

The first time I did this trip, we used a 17’ aluminum canoe and the second time I used a 15’6” solo which was much easier to maneuver on this small stream. If you like custard, right across Hwy 36 from the park in Burlington is Adrian’s Custard.

Perhaps others will have more current info on this trip.

I'd like to try this trip.

I have no information to share, but am interested in taking this trip now too!

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but... Now it's on my list for this year. Maybe a mini-wingnight paddle???

For more info maybe check with Boy Scout Councils in the area. The guy who introduced me to this trip had done it as a scout. And I know local scout groups used to do it regularly.

Here are the links from milespaddled.com that peaked my interest.

https://www.milespaddled.com/2016/03/white-river-iii-walworth-https://www.milespaddled.com/2013/07/white-river-ii-walworth-county/

Brad

I put in at the Sheridan Springs Rd Bridge north of the Grand Geneva Resort. There is enough shoulder space for cars to be parked along the road. I take out in Lyons, WI at Riverview Park on Mill St. Plenty of gravel parking is available. No portaging required between these two points.

The river is narrow and pleasantly meanders its way towards White River State Park. As you pass the picnic area on the left, the river begins an exciting descent that eventually flattens out and resumes the Sunday drive pace towards Lyons.
There is a nice drop as you approach the Spring Valley Road Bridge (near Lyons). After this drop, the river narrows and picks up speed. This section has been the most challenging for me due to downed trees and the speed of the water at the takeout area.

I’ve done this trip in May and June, the most recent being in 2018. Splash gear was not necessary during these trips.

I have an Old Town Discovery 164 that is a tank in fast water. My recreational kayak friends did a better job navigating the faster water.

For a shorter version of this trip, you could put in at the White River State Park.

I'm interested too

We ran the White River today, put in behind Grand Geneva resort and took out at Riverside park in Lyons. It was a great trip. 1hr 40mins. Put in and take out are about a 7 minute drive.

Lots of twisties, rifles, class 1 shoots. The water level is excellent. Lots of kayaker bro’s and groups but they were easy to pass.

If you live in the area this is a 5 star rated trip on Miles paddled and did not disappoint. We even went over the Class 2 dam in Lyons with zero issues.

There are a few strainers but easily navigable. We will do the full trip to Burlington next week.

I usually go up and down stream. How's the current?

The current is fast. That would be a workout with the water speed right now.