Canoeing the Namekagon River,
Wisconsin
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Expert paddler Mike Svob
has been canoeing and kayaking the rivers of the Midwest for 30 years.
He paddled more than a thousand miles to complete these books. Below
are brief descriptions of the canoe trips that Mike goes into detail
with in his books with maps. The maps are very useful, showing rapids,
take in and take out points and other things of interest. |
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Namekagon-1-Hayward
to Springbrook Landing-Sawyer and
Washburn County-15.7 miles. This is
some very relaxed paddling for novice
and experienced paddlers. The water
levels are usually adequate for paddling
all summer. Despite the nearness of
highways and the presence of several
dams the river has a consistently
wild character. There are several
riffles and Class I rapids alng the
way. There are about a dozen campsites
on this stretch of river.Put in at
the DNR station on Hwy. 27.You will
see several small islands alnog the
way. The river is narrow and winding
for the first couple of miles. After
the river widens Fiddlers Creek enters
from the right and Spring Creek from
the left. At 8.3 miles you reach Stinnet
Landing. Here the river narrows to
about 30 feet. Both upstream and downstream
from Groat Landing at 11 miles are
numerous curves and Class I rapids.
Take out at Springbrook Landing on
the left.
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Namekagon-2-Springbrook
Landing to Trego Visitor Center-Washburn
County-12 miles. In this stretch fast
water runs through narrow areas, alternating
with slower water in wider spots. There
are at least a half dozen primitive
campsites maintained by the Park Service.
Put in at Springbrook Landing river
left. Within the first 4 miles a half
dozen creeks enter from both sides of
the river. Occasional riffles and rapids
continue all the way to the big oxbow.
Two houses on the left indicate the
oxbow is about to begin.. At this point
the river widens and slows down for
several miles. Next you go under the
North Road bridge near Earl. Earl Park
Landing and campsite are just downstream
from the bridge. The river gets narrower
until you come to the Hwy. 63 bridge.
Not long after the bridge is the take
out at the Visitor Center in Trego.
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Namekagon-3-County
K to McDowell Bridge-Washburn and Burnett
County-20 miles. Below the Trego Flowage
the landscape is remote and undeveloped
and quite varied. There are many campsites
along the way. This is a great part
of the river for fishing, and seeing
all kinds of wildlife. Put in at the
landing alongside Hwy. K. Good parking
is provided.The river starts out narrow
and winding, withfrequent islands and
sandbanks. after 1.5 miles a stream
comes in on the left, followed by a
big island. Further downstream Christensen
Creek enters from the right with a house
near the mouth.. A half mile further
is Whispering Pines Landing on the right
at 9.5 miles. The river widens and slows
for awhile after that. In a right hand
bend at 12.2 miles Casey Creek and McKenzie
Creek enter from the left.. You pass
Howell Landing at 14.2 miles and Fritz
landing at 18.1 miles. Take out at McDowell
Bridge Landing on the right at 20 miles.
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Namekagon-4-McDowell
Bridge Landing to Riverside Landing-Burnett
County-15 miles. This last stretch of
thr river has the best rapids before
joining the St. Croix. The final portion
of the river is wider than the upstream
parts, but it is still wild, remote
and curvy. You can choose from 21 campsites
along this part of the river.Put in
at McDowell Bridge Landing, The river
widens and slows downafter you put in
with a couple of big bends and large
islands.. Webb Crek enters from the
left. The Totogatic River appears on
the right, followed by a couple of cabins.
At 6.5 miles the river flows under the
Namekogan Trail Bridge. A landing is
located just downstream from there.
There are several pleasant riffles after
the bridge. You will paddle several
Class I rapids before you reach the
st. Croix. After the rivers merge there
are several long Class I rapids especially
in the main channel around Big Island..
Take out at Riverside Landing up-stream
right from the bridge.
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