Sometime in the past three years, likely as the result of some Canoecopia presentation or perhaps the River Kings Namekagon video series, I decided that I really wanted to paddle the Namekagon. Well, last week, we got our chance. This thread will chronicle our journey.
The Namekagon River flows east to west across northwestern Wisconsin from Namekagon Lake to the St. Croix River, the namesake of this National Scenic Waterway. It is a mix of flat water and light rapids, with two significant settlements along its course. Internet reviewers speak highly of its tranquil ambience, and the videos I could find seemed to back up the sentiment.
www.nps.gov
My son and I have been canoeing since buying our first fiberglass beater in 2019. First, they were simple day trips on local reservoirs and the White River (Indiana); just a way to get more outdoor time together. That graduated into the occasional overnight, and then, in 2021, we decided we wanted to try a "northern" trip. Where are two newbies to start? Well, the BWCA, of course. We didn't have much gear, so we made arrangements with Piragis to go on a fully outfitted trip. During the interim, a couple of friends learned of our plans and asked to go along. As the summer progressed, and the Minnesota rains stopped, we watched nervously as fires and closures steadily crept nearer our chosen entry point. Then, two weeks before departure, the wilderness was closed to all entry. With no way of knowing when we would be permitted to enter the area, we elected to take the money reserved for the trip expenses and buy our own gear. It wasn't as nice, and definitely more sparse, but we had our own kit.
The group was determined to make good on the planned PTO takings, and we settled on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage in northern Wisconsin. I'm not sure how we landed on that choice, but I bet it had to do with the 66 water access-only sites and the designated "quiet area" that was positively reported on via the BWCA.com message board. In any case, we had a destination. I had to borrow a second canoe, pray all the ordered gear arrived on time, arrange transportation, and cobble together a transport rack, but by some miracle, it all came together, and before I could believe it, I was standing on the shoreline of the "wilderness". I use the quotations here out of respect for those who *live* more remotely than I was experiencing, but at that moment, this suburban dad was HOOKED. An eagle wheeled overhead to accentuate the moment, and I knew our adventures in central Indiana were about to be forever eclipsed.
dnr.wisconsin.gov
Why share this old tale? Because it was the gateway. As we drove into the northwoods toward our first canoe camping experience, we crossed bridges over scenic rivers. We camped in the unique weather patterns of autumn. We experienced the stress of finding planned campsites taken, the darkness that can be felt on a moonless night in a dark sky area, and the freedom that comes with no cell phone signal. And before the ten days had even passed, we determined to return.
And return we did. Our friends also enjoyed the experience, and so we made another trip to the flowage, along with one to the BWCA, and one to the Sylvania Wilderness in Michigan. JR and JS are great camping partners, and we get along famously. However, they are dedicated base campers and care to move only every three or so nights, so river trips are not very high on their want-to-do list.
Enter 2025. JR had used all of his PTO on other family-related matters, and JS's wife had some medical complications that restricted the distance he was comfortable traveling. While bummed to not be able to go with our usual partners, we felt the slight unburdening of stationary camping expectations. We were going to do our river trip.
The Namekagon River flows east to west across northwestern Wisconsin from Namekagon Lake to the St. Croix River, the namesake of this National Scenic Waterway. It is a mix of flat water and light rapids, with two significant settlements along its course. Internet reviewers speak highly of its tranquil ambience, and the videos I could find seemed to back up the sentiment.
Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (U.S. National Park Service)
The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a unit of the National Park System, was established by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968.
www.nps.gov
My son and I have been canoeing since buying our first fiberglass beater in 2019. First, they were simple day trips on local reservoirs and the White River (Indiana); just a way to get more outdoor time together. That graduated into the occasional overnight, and then, in 2021, we decided we wanted to try a "northern" trip. Where are two newbies to start? Well, the BWCA, of course. We didn't have much gear, so we made arrangements with Piragis to go on a fully outfitted trip. During the interim, a couple of friends learned of our plans and asked to go along. As the summer progressed, and the Minnesota rains stopped, we watched nervously as fires and closures steadily crept nearer our chosen entry point. Then, two weeks before departure, the wilderness was closed to all entry. With no way of knowing when we would be permitted to enter the area, we elected to take the money reserved for the trip expenses and buy our own gear. It wasn't as nice, and definitely more sparse, but we had our own kit.
The group was determined to make good on the planned PTO takings, and we settled on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage in northern Wisconsin. I'm not sure how we landed on that choice, but I bet it had to do with the 66 water access-only sites and the designated "quiet area" that was positively reported on via the BWCA.com message board. In any case, we had a destination. I had to borrow a second canoe, pray all the ordered gear arrived on time, arrange transportation, and cobble together a transport rack, but by some miracle, it all came together, and before I could believe it, I was standing on the shoreline of the "wilderness". I use the quotations here out of respect for those who *live* more remotely than I was experiencing, but at that moment, this suburban dad was HOOKED. An eagle wheeled overhead to accentuate the moment, and I knew our adventures in central Indiana were about to be forever eclipsed.
Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area | Wisconsin DNR
dnr.wisconsin.gov
Why share this old tale? Because it was the gateway. As we drove into the northwoods toward our first canoe camping experience, we crossed bridges over scenic rivers. We camped in the unique weather patterns of autumn. We experienced the stress of finding planned campsites taken, the darkness that can be felt on a moonless night in a dark sky area, and the freedom that comes with no cell phone signal. And before the ten days had even passed, we determined to return.
And return we did. Our friends also enjoyed the experience, and so we made another trip to the flowage, along with one to the BWCA, and one to the Sylvania Wilderness in Michigan. JR and JS are great camping partners, and we get along famously. However, they are dedicated base campers and care to move only every three or so nights, so river trips are not very high on their want-to-do list.
Enter 2025. JR had used all of his PTO on other family-related matters, and JS's wife had some medical complications that restricted the distance he was comfortable traveling. While bummed to not be able to go with our usual partners, we felt the slight unburdening of stationary camping expectations. We were going to do our river trip.
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