Anyone know where a good place to canoe camp not far from Madison would be? Looking for a weekend trip...obviously wilderness is not a criteria, but good for canoeing.

I should have mentioned...the Wisconsin River is a great place, obviously, and nearby, but I'm hesitant to go there with our 3-year old along. Maybe I should not be, but...

Nola, my first thought was the Wisconsin River, but you obviously had thought of that already. I don't have a 3-year old, but I would think that would be a good trip for a youngster. Lots of sand to play in while camping. :-) You can also camp anywhere along the way.

As for other options, I'm scratching my head a little over the "camping" part. The Kickapoo River is a two hour drive to the west. You can camp in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, but I don't think you can along the river. The Mecan River is maybe a couple hours north near Princeton but it's unlikely one can camp along the river there either.

There must be some others. I just can't think of them.

With the Wisconsin....just paranoid about the strong current and a kid that can't swim.

She would definitely be in her life jacket just about the entire time. ;-)

How about something like Devils Lake State Park? It's car camping, but the lake is non-motor.

Sylvania Wilderness? Only about 4 hours from Madison, close to Boulder Junction, WI.

I was hoping for a canoe-to-the-campsite type experience less than a 2-hour drive away. Sounds like the WI river is our only hope.

willow flowage. otherwise buckhorn state park.

Thanks, all. I have requested info for Buckhorn State Park. Sounds right up our alley!

nola, before you get set to go to buckhorn make sure you check the bug forecast with the rangers there. we were almost carried away by mosquitoes the last time we were there early in the year. it is a nice place to camp but be prepared. Mr Green

quote mrgreen: "nola, before you get set to go to buckhorn make sure you check the bug forecast with the rangers there. we were almost carried away by mosquitoes the last time we were there early in the year. it is a nice place to camp but be prepared. Mr Green"

Amen. Three day Scouts and family weekend in early June - a lot of families left after one night because of mosquitos. I have never seen them worse.

Thanks for the tip!

I am slightly disappointed with the information I got from the park. There is a brief mention of paddle-to campsites on the website, but in their physical literature...nothing. I think I can figure it out, but how do I know for sure if there's a good landing at a campsite? I guess I have to call and ask. I hate that. ;-) I generally do my planning at times when businesses are not open.

try emailing them? might not get everything answered, but it could be a start to rule it in or out...

Turtle Flambeau Flowage near Tomahawk has numerous boating access only primitive campsites

Same with Willow Flowage, and the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest near Boulder Junction. Visit the State Forest Website for a description and maps of several nice canoe routes. Many boat access camp sites on several lakes. The Vilas County Tourist bureau at 800-236-3649 can send you a nice brochure of canoe routes in Vilas County.

Sylvania Wilderness area in Watersmeet, in the UP is also very nice.

All these areas are a bit of a drive from Madison, but 3-4 hours isn't bad.

Also, contact Rutabaga's in Madison. Great canoe store, and they may have some good recommendations for you with young children. Lots of their staff have young ones.

I've been to Turtle Flambeau and loved it. Went last fall.

Another interesting canoe outing would be the Horicon Marsh, at Horicon, which is about 1 hour east of Madison. There is a nice county camp ground just east of town, but no camp sites in the marsh itself. The south half of the marsh is operated by the State of Wi, and is open for boating, with lots of little back waters, channels, etc. There is an interesting 6-8 mile paddle along the main channel, with the put in north of town. Take out would be at the town of Horicon.

The north half of the marsh is a federally run wild life refuge not open to boating, but there is a nice visitor center, and a really cool board walk area that is quite interesting.

Check it out, it's interesting and different.

Lots and lots of birds depending upon the season.

Found a place? It's like As the World Turns, wondering where you'll end up.

quote Blackfoot: "I've been to Turtle Flambeau and loved it. Went last fall."

This sounds like a great place to check out!