Memorial weekend is the first big holiday weekend of the summer season and rarely is it relaxing.  Well, if you and your family are looking for a peaceful escape, I have one for you.  Take a paddle down the the Baraboo river.   Much of the river is shallow and slow moving as it winds it’s way through the rural central Wisconsin country side.  It’s virtually in accessible to any sort of power craft which makes it an ideal spot for paddlers. The Baraboo river offers an amazing outdoor recreation opportunity, and frankly our community does a really poor job of promoting it.  On the other hand that’s why it’s guaranteed to be quiet and relaxing! If you are near Baraboo over the weekend,  and have your own canoes or kayaks, we recommend a 4-6 hour section of the river from North Freedom’s Fireman’s park down to Haskin’s Park in West Baraboo.  On an average day you’ll rarely see a ripple on the water until about a half-mile before the end of your trip, where you’ll cross a bit of bouncy and quick current under the Highway 12 bridge in West Baraboo.  You need not worry too much about that though, since there the water is only a foot or so deep.  (For more details see below)

The biggest problem in our area is a lack of outfitters and boat rentals.  If you don’t have boats of your own and would still like to spend some quite time on the water, we suggest give a call to Beyond Boundaries LLC in Wonewoc, WI just north-west of Wisconsin Dells. Beyond Boundaries offers 6 mile river trips on the north-west section of the Baraboo.  Here you’ll enjoy wildlife, rural landscapes and some pretty amazing sandstone rock formations to boot!  There is also an outfitter in Wisconsin Dells.  Vertical Illusions offers day paddle trips on the Upper Dells, however this weekend, it’s likely to be anything but relaxing.

Keep in mind as well that boat rentals are available at both Devil’s Lake & Mirror Lake State Parks over the holiday weekend.   We can’t promise a quiet weekend at the parks, but you can’t complain about the scenery!

Details:

• Check out our Big Map – Yellow Markers contain paddle related information including Boat Launches, Take outs and tips. (including those mentioned in the article)
• Pictures from our latest paddle down the “boo”.
• Beyond Boundaries – Kayak Tours, Bike Rentals, Wonewoc
• Vertical Illusions – Kayak Tours, Wisconsin Dells
• WI River Outings – Rentals & tours on the Wisconsin River in Sauk Prairie
• Devil’s Lake State Park – Baraboo
• Mirror Lake State Park – Wisconsin Dells

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