Places to kayak

[BCClone]

Nah, I went once in college. The group I was with was the group that decided to get into alcohol infused fights throughout the trip and there was a bunch of other similar crap.

The hilarity was that since we were floating down the river, the groups couldn't get away from each other so stuff kept sparking up.

Also side note this was a bunch of D3 football players and the highlight was when a guy from our group called out 'well let me go get our all-conference linebacker and see what he has to say' like anyone knew or cared. Cringe and entertaining all the same.

Sounds like no beeds and only male boobies. Need a better group to hang with.

 

[CYCLNST8]

Some rivers are beautiful, but full of rocks. If you like to stop frequently on soft sand bars, the Cedar River is great. Float the stretch south of Palisades and finish your float at the Tavern in Sutliff.

 

[Al_4_State]

I can see the St. Croix being very busy also with being so close to the cities.

The stretch we did was a couple hours north. Pretty quiet actually

 

[Al_4_State]

Most of the shoreline stuff can be done with any kayak. I’ve got a 13 foot sit on top and I have zero issues going out on Superior on calm days. Just pay attention to the wind and wave forecast and all good.

Many think it require sea kayaks only so get spooked by it. But generally you are never more than 100 yards offshore. Completely worth the trip if you’ve never done it.

Will definitely add Apostle Islands to my list

 

[cycloneML]

I’ve always wanted to kayak down the Wapsipinicon. Anyone ever done it?

 

[AuH2O]

So dumb question, do some of these upper iowa routes have shuttles and rentals? River paddling is fun but coordinating logistics can be challenging.

 

[Iastfan112]

So dumb question, do some of these upper iowa routes have shuttles and rentals? River paddling is fun but coordinating logistics can be challenging.

Pretty sure a number of the private campgrounds offer both. We used to use Hruska's just for a shuttle but he closed(retired?) a few years ago.

 

[Al_4_State]

Hruska’s retired and sold their business 3-4 years ago. It’s called White’s Riverside Campground now. I’d recommend them for that iconic Kendalville to Bluffton float. Harvest Farms north of Cresco runs a less crowded (but still beautiful) stretch of the Upper Iowa. Hutchinson Farm is closer to Decorah. I think Upper Iowa Resort near Dorchester runs shuttle on the lower reaches closer to the Mississippi.

Anywhere between Granger/Florenceville and Decorah will have the bluffs, cliffs, and springs people come to the Upper Iowa for.

 

[isufbcurt]

We go to Rock Creek since it's close to our house. If we want something longer we go to Boone to the Des Moines river.

 

[DollaDollaBill]

I’ve always wanted to kayak down the Wapsipinicon. Anyone ever done it?

Lots of times. Gets pretty shallow in stretches in the summer

 

[NWICY]

What’s the river in Wisconsin you can go down that turns into a massive bead and booby party?

Apple River for tubing. So I am told.

 

[intrepid27]

We boat quite a bit, seeing a lot more of the "setup for fishing" kayaks out there now a days.

Speaking of fishing, boast and kayaks there's a reminder I'd like to throw out since there will be a lot of kayakers reading this thread. We fish a lot on several lakes around Cedar Rapids. It is amazing the number of times we are fishing along the shoreline and kayakers will paddle between our boat and the bank. Typically we are within 30 feet of the shore and it is evident that we are fishing. It can be very irritating.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

Lake Hendricks

 

[Al_4_State]

Lake Hendricks

 

[clonechemist]

We live in Michigan now... thinking of getting some kayaks... they are very cheap up here on marketplace and or craigslist... I have a 3 year old... anyone have a good model to look for with a small child (2 holer, she wont be going alone)

Just be sure to get a good ‘heads up’ style life jacket for the little one.

 

[madguy30]

Speaking of fishing, boast and kayaks there's a reminder I'd like to throw out since there will be a lot of kayakers reading this thread. We fish a lot on several lakes around Cedar Rapids. It is amazing the number of times we are fishing along the shoreline and kayakers will paddle between our boat and the bank. Typically we are within 30 feet of the shore and it is evident that we are fishing. It can be very irritating.

Kayakers I don't mind as much.

Motor boats is a different story. I don't get out often on the Madison chain due to it turning into a gooey mess by late May (and earlier every year) but if I do my head has to be on a swivel even if close to the bank.

 

[BCClone]

Kayakers I don't mind as much.

Motor boats is a different story. I don't get out often on the Madison chain due to it turning into a gooey mess by late May (and earlier every year) but if I do my head has to be on a swivel even if close to the bank.

Some extra weight while benching and some push ups will cut down on the motor boats.

 

[isufbcurt]

Apple River for tubing. So I am told.

I was just told last weekend that they tamed it down a lot. Buzz kill

 

[Sparkplug]

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