WPG
A canoeing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting guide to Wisconsin's most popular paddle rivers.

The Namekagon River

The Namekagon is one of Wisconsin's premier canoeing/kayaking rivers. The river starts out as a small cold-water trout stream below Namekagon Lake, then meanders, narrow and intimate, through a varied landscape of northern lowland forest, bog and fen, and open marsh. Below Hayward, the river rushes through several low hazard whitewater runs between narrow, wooded banks. Numerous islands populate the river. Occasionally the Namekagon settles into a lake environment, wide and slow through open wetlands where birdlife is abundant.

As the river approaches the confluence with the St Croix, nearly all signs of development disappear. Beautiful stands of quaking aspen, birch, oak and maple dominate the surrounding forest along with tall pines and spruce, which often canopy high sandy banks. This river presents a fantastic, mainly quiet-water float through the northwoods for single and multi-day excursions!

The Namekagon River was one of the eight original rivers to be designated as a protected area by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, which made the Namekagon part of the St Croix National Scenic Riverway. Since the enactment, a large number of buildings, cottages, homes and footbridges have been removed from the riverway. The removals are ongoing and are part of voluntary agreements with the National Park Service. In fact, thanks to the remarkable work of the Park Service and the local communities, the river has seen a return to a 'near-original' state, and efforts continue today.

The rivers' habitat is home to an abundance of wildlife. Merganser, woodland duck, ruffed grouse, and bald eagle are occasionally spotted. You may also see, whitetail deer, black bear, otter, beaver (upper reaches), and if you're lucky a fox or a bobcat. The clean waters are thought to be home to more than forty different species of mussels. Anglers will find the cooler temperatures of the upper reaches of the Namekagon to be excellent for brook and brown trout. The river is also well known for smallmouth bass.

The Namekagon is quite possibly the most popular canoe-camping river in the state next to the St Croix. There are more than sixty group and individual sites along the riverway. The National Park Service maintains all the riverside campsites and all sites include a clearing for tents (often shaded!), a fire-ring, and a rustic toilet. Picnic tables and water are located at some of the sites, primarily at the group sites. Several of the sites are accessible by car (Earl Park, Howell Landing, and West Howell Landing). The individual sites accommodate up to three tents and / or eight people, while the group sites hold up to six tents and / or sixteen people. There are no fees for accessing, camping, or parking in any of the National Scenic Riverway areas. All sites are on a first come basis. Visitors will also find several privately owned campgrounds located nearby.

Glass beverage containers are prohibited on the riverway!

The National Park Service operates a Visitor Center in Trego, WI, which is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Historically, the Namekagon was one of the most traveled rivers in the state. Since the time when Native Americans first settled the region, the river has provided an important segment of the Lake Superior - St Croix River, and Namekagon - Chippewa River travel routes. Besides the Native Americans, European explorers, fur traders and missionaries traveled the river until the eventual arrival of the lumberjacks in the 1800's. These loggers used the river to float timber down to the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers.

Season

The upper reaches are best in May and June. The rest of the river is usually navigable throughout the warm-weather season.

River Level Information

river gage location: Varies by section.
suggested minimum level: Varies by section
on the web: Varies by section
phone contact: NPS, Namekagon River Visitor Center; 715.635.8346