You choose the date/time/destination and reserve your trip. Please call ahead if you wish to paddle the Milwaukee river. 

(Half day) Up to 4 hours guided trips - $70/per person - Minimum 2 people

(Full day) 6 to 8 hour guided trips - $90/per person (please pack a lunch and extra water for these trips) - Minimum 2 people

Do you have a small group, family outing, or company kayak activity in mind? Listed below are the places we love to paddle and know the areas very well. For trips on longer stretches of the rivers, we will coordinate with you the most convenient means of transportation from take out to put in, where your kayak awaits. For out and back paddle locations (lakes), there is no need for a shuttle.

You choose the desired section of water, distance you would like to paddle, and you set the paddle pace. We come along with you, offering tips how to paddle more effectively, best route, providing first aid and water rescues (if needed).

Listed below are several guided trip destinations available to meet your experience and to suit your paddle enjoyment. River trips length of time on the water are fully dependent on water levels. Certain segments of the Milwaukee River may be either too high, or too low to paddle. It would be prudent to call us before booking a river trip. We shall advise you of current water conditions, and if they are running well. Total paddle distance for each locations are provided.

These trips are best reserved in advance - and will be on a first come, first served availability.  We desire a minimum of 72 hours advanced notice to reserve your trip. A complemental rental of kayaks, paddles, and PFD are included in the prices.

Below are the different segments on the Milwaukee river from West Bend to Grafton. These include the route and total distances.

Milwaukee River  - (West Bend to Grafton segment) A paddle through the countryside, with a gentile flowing current. A local favorite and quite relaxing to see the changes of the seasons on this stretch of the river. The water clarity is slightly tannic, some aquatic plants to help you guide your kayak the correct direction. There are two sections of the entire stretch which have seasonal riffles and thrills - but mainly a gentile paddle trip. The banks of this river have various trees which at times, canopy and dapple sunlight. You may also encounter several deer grazing along the edge, heron, cranes, and other birds. With 21 miles of navigable waters along this stretch - adventure awaits.

There are no powerboats along this stretch of the Milwaukee - although there may be an occasional small fishing boat. Majority of this stretch will need a minimum water height, otherwise there are too many areas of scraping on the rocks. (Best to call us first and ask if the levels are good for a paddle.)

Bathroom - yes (Goeden Park, Newberg, Waubedonia Park, Ehlers Park, and Grafton)

Potable water - yes (Goeden Park, Newberg, Waubedonia Park, and Grafton)

Parking - varies by location. Shuttle needed.

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Below are the different segments on the Milwaukee river from Grafton to Thiensville. These include the route and the total distance.

Milwaukee River (Grafton to Thiensville): There are several paddle lengths to this more rural route of the Milwaukee River. Launching at Lime Kiln Park, there are bathrooms present. A fair amount of parking and a fairly easy access to the water.When water levels are not optimal, there is a fair amount of scraping a few miles past Lime Kiln.  Only a few houses are visible on this stretch, as majority of the shoreline is ridden by trees and wildlife. The water clarity of this river does change a bit through the season, however mostly clear and clean. As one reaches Garrison Glen kayak launch, the water gets a bit deeper down the middle. The launch at Garrison Glen is pretty small in comparison to the final destination of Thiensville. There is a small parking lot – which can hold maybe a max of 6 cars (if they park nicely). From this point onward, the river banks continue to amaze you – as you wonder why you hadn’t paddled this before. Just before the Highland bridge, the flow of water will slow down a bit, and you will notice power boats and more residential homes. There are a few places one can get out and stretch – however only one offers a bathroom stop – this would be Vila Grove, with a porta-potty. There is a power boat launch near the south end of this park – and it is usually busy. Just a few more miles down the river one will finally arrive at Thiensville  One thing to note, the boat launch gate may be seasonally closed at Thiensville.

Bathroom - yes (Lime Kiln, Villa Grove, and Thiensville)

Potable water - yes (Lime Kiln and Thiensville)

Parking - Varies from location. Shuttle needed.

​Milwaukee River - (city): Explore the inner city of Milwaukee unlike any other sight seeing method - from the water. This unique view from the water provides a prospective of the historic city. Passing under several bridges and waving to the pedestrians above us. Several rivers flow into the Milwaukee, and we shall pass by the grounds of Summerfest (and channel connecting the Milwaukee river to Lake Michigan). Additional miles can be obtained by paddling and exploring the Menominee and Kinnickinnic Rivers. Minimum round trip distance (to mouth of Lake Michigan) 6 1/2 miles. Ask about adding on some additional paddle miles.

Bathroom - along route

Potable water - along route

Parking - street. No shuttle needed.

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Covered Bridge to Cedarburg - Another favorite area to paddle. It is usually a gentile, quiet, and easy paddle through wooded banks and very little residential development. We shall start at the last remaining coverage bridge of Wisconsin, built in 1876. Although motorized traffic can not use this, it still remains an active pedestrian walkway. Our travels will venture though the back acres of Cedarburg and the outskirts of Grafton, eventually arriving in the heart of Cedarburg's historic district (about a 5 mile paddle).

Bathroom - yes

Potable water - no

Parking - large area at Covered Bridge, street parking at take-out. Shuttle needed.

Lake Michigan paddle -(Port Washington). This is an open water paddle, where the lake dictates how the outcome of the trip will play out. This is always a weather dependent destination. A fairly accurate condition report is available usually three days prior to the trip. Even with careful planning and consideration of the weather patterns, Mother Nature usually has the upper hand. Prior to this trip, one should be familiar with a wet exit, be comfortable with getting wet, and should have a decent self-rescue skill. A spray skirt, and proper clothing is always required for any of these trips. Our destinations distance is usually 10 miles or less - taking a break at the half way mark to explore Lion's Den and the shoreline.

Bathroom - yes

Potable water - no

Parking - for about 20 cars. No shuttle needed.

Random Lake -  This smaller lake (212 acres), located within the town of Random Lake. Local residents find enjoyment trolling around on their pontoon boats viewing the cattails and ducks which frequent the area. The water clarity is fairly clear. Nice little swimming beach near the boat launch, and plenty of picnic tables. This lake is one of the training lakes we use (3.5 mile lake circumnavigation).

Bathroom - yes

Potable water - yes

Parking - large area. No shuttle needed.

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Long Lake - Long Lake is a 423 acre lake located in Sheboygan, Fond du Lac Counties. Part of the Kettle Moraine North unit; It has a maximum depth of 47 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing, public beaches.  The lake's water is moderately clear (5.5 mile lake circumnavigation).

Bathroom - yes

Potable water - no

Parking - large area away from launch. Wisconsin State Parking pass required. No shuttle needed.

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Big Cedar Lake - This is located just outside of West Bend, This 900 acre lake, with 16 miles of shoreline is fairly popular to water sports enthusiasts (power boats and jet skis) especially in the warmer weather months. There is a 'super secret' back water location which is the natural spring feeder to the lake. We take an up close and personal view of the 'blue hole' from which the waters bubbles it's cold, clear, water (4 mile round trip to the blue hole - 16 mile lake circumnavigation).

Bathroom - yes

Potable water - no

Parking - about 8 single car parking areas. No shuttle needed.

Little Cedar Lake – Big Cedar’s sibling. This body of water is part of the Washington County Park system. Either a yearly pass or day pass is required to enter here (payment can be made via web site). This location has a sandy swim beach, and a dedicated boat launch. Circumnavigating this lake will produce a little over 4 miles to your odometer. The water clarity is mostly clear, and one can look down about 12 feet. There is a small island near the boat launch, with several large rocks surrounding it. On both the southern sections of the lake, there is a ‘marsh-like feel’ with several cat-tails and lily pads in the warmer months. Power boats do frequent this area.

Bathroom - yes

Potable water - yes

Parking - large area. No shuttle needed.

Horicon Marsh – Immersive surroundings of cat tails and nature unlike what you may have experienced. Horicon is the US largest fresh water cat tail assembly, and provides a maze-like sensation to the paddler. This fascinating and unique eco-system is quite impressive. Over 340, 000 square acres of marsh await the naturalist to explore.

Numerous water-foul frequent this area as a migration zone, mass numbers of Canada geese, ducks, sandhill cranes, blackbirds, and many other species stopover at the marsh during their annual fall migration. Horicon Marsh is a shallow, peat-filled lake bed scoured out of limestone by the Green Bay lobe of the massive Wisconsin glacier. The glacier entered this area about 70,000 years ago and receded about 12,000 years ago. The same layer of rock that forms the gentle hills to the east of the marsh extends 500 miles to the east and is the same rock layer over which the Niagara River plunges at Niagara Falls. This Niagara Escarpment bordering the marsh, commonly referred to as "The Ledge" extends for 230 miles in the state of Wisconsin alone. The marsh itself is approximately 14 miles long and ranges from 3-5 miles in width.  (Taken from the US Fish and Wildlife)

Bathroom - yes (usually)

Potable water - no

Parking - large area. No shuttle needed.

(Half day) Up to 4 hour guided trips - $70/per person - Minimum 2 people

(Full day) 6 to 8 hour guided trips - $90/per person (please pack a lunch and extra water for these trips) - Minimum 2 people