Blue flag iris along the Namekagon River; Photo by Mark Sampson, 2016 Paddle Namekagon.
The St. Croix River Association (SCRA) invites people to explore 40 miles of the Namekagon River on a fully supported kayak trip June 25-27, 2017. The tour includes all meals and hotel-style lodging for two nights and three days, and is designed for those who may not have paddling equipment or want to camp outdoors.
The Namekagon River offers visitors a glimpse of what northwest Wisconsin looked like 300 years ago and is one of two rivers that comprise the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a national park.
During the day, participants will float the clean water that flows through the forested landscape from Cable to Springbrook, Wisconsin. Paddlers will experience nature at its best—the peacefulness and occasional excitement that time on a river produces—without having to camp or cook.
“I have led trips on the Riverway for seven years, and they are always a wonderful experience. People overcome personal challenges, see an abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery, and learn more about this wild and scenic river. They build lasting relationships and become part of a river community,” says Deb Ryun, executive director of SCRA. “I’ve had people say that they would love to do a trip, but they don’t want to camp, or that they don’t have the equipment. We hope that by offering a shorter trip, a safe learning environment, and the assurance of a warm, dry bed at night, we might reach a new audience. A river trip doesn’t have to mean ‘roughing it.'”
Registration deadline is June 1 (or until filled) and is limited to 22 people. Cost is $800 per person, with the proceeds benefitting the SCRA internship program. The fee includes shuttles, kayaks, paddles and lifejackets, transportation of overnight bags along the route, meals, and behind-the scenes support to ensure the trip will be safe and rewarding. More information and registration is available on the SCRA Paddle website at scrapaddle.org or call 715-483-3300.
The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a unit of the National Park System, was established by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968, one of the first eight rivers in the country to receive this recognition. For about 255 miles, the St. Croix and its tributary, the Namekagon, flow through some of the most scenic and least developed country in the Upper Midwest. SCRA works throughout the 7,760 square mile watershed to protect this national park.
Sponsors who help make the trip possible include Xcel Energy, the Lenroot Lodge Seeley, the Comfort Suites Hayward, Camp Namekagon, and the National Park Service.