Namekagon Scenic Riverway Tour

Welcome to Canoe Camping!

 

Ages: 11+

Trip Length: 6 days / 5 nights

Full Group Rate (6-10 people): $5000

Small Group Rate (3-5 people): $3700

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About the location

The Namekagon Scenic Riverway is beautiful river in Western Wisconsin that feeds into the St Croix River. “Namekagon” means “place where the sturgeon are” in Ojibwe, and you are sure to see these impressive fish through the crystal clear waters as you paddle along. The river is also home to river mussels, otters, herons, and SO MANY TURTLES! Paddlers also frequently enjoy spotting bald eagles in the towering white pines and graceful aspen trees along the river banks.

Campsites are nestled every mile or so along the river, which gives the group a lot of flexibility in terms of how far they want to paddle each day, and often feature great swimming areas.

Trip overview

This trip typically lasts 6 days (5 nights).

On the first day, you’ll come to Amnicon’s base camp to meet your guides and learn everything you need to know to be prepared for a safe and fun experience. We do a big campfire on our sandy beach of Lake Superior that night.

The next morning, we drive you out to the Namekagon and the adventure begins! Each day you’ll paddle down the river, setting up camp each afternoon. There is time to swim, explore, and play before cooking dinner over the fire. On most trips, our guides will start each day and end each evening with intentional and meaningful conversations around the fire. After three nights camping along the river, we’ll pick you up and bring you back to Amnicon.

The trip culminates on the last night with a campfire and closing ceremony back at Amnicon on our sandy Lake Superior beach. Kick back at the end of the adventure with a sky full of stars above you, the biggest lake in the world beside you, surrounded by the people who were by your side through it all.

You don’t want to miss this!

frequently asked questions

Who can come on a Namekagon trip?

Trip participants must be:

  • At least 11 years old on the first day of the trip,
  • In reasonably good health,
  • Able to lift and carry 30 pounds over a short distance,
  • Able to swim 25 yards and tread water for 30 seconds while wearing a USCG certified Personal Floatation Device (life jacket)
  • Able to walk half a mile over uneven terrain without assistance, AND
  • Have a licensed medical practitioner sign a health form certifying that they are healthy enough to engage in the kinds of activities we’ll do on this trip.

Anyone with a chronic medical condition must:

  • Be able to manage their own care without assistance,
  • Bring all their own medications and supplies,
  • Be willing and able to communicate with Amnicon staff if they’re not doing well,
  • Have experience managing their condition during prolonged periods of increased stress & activity, AND
  • Have not had any medical emergencies within the last year.

If you have questions about whether this trip will be a good fit for you, don’t hesitate to contact us! Call 715-364-2602, email info@amnicon.org, or click the button below.

What are the guides like?

Our wilderness guides are amazing, and you’ll love them. We send two highly trained individuals with each group. They will be at least 19 years old, and have been chosen because they have demonstrated an impressive level of maturity, enthusiasm, and a desire to connect with and serve our campers. We do our best to hire a diverse staff every year, and often hire staff from overseas! Amnicon does not discriminate in our hiring based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, country of origin, or religious affiliation.

What are the bathroom facilities like?

Every campsite has a pit toilet that is often referred to as a “Ranger Box” (or “Thunder Box”, as the Canadians say). It’ll be down a path, out of view of the campsite. It’s like sitting on a toilet seat without any walls. Everyone likes a large bathroom, and folks, it doesn’t get any larger than this. It might feel a little strange your first time, but the view and the fresh air are delightful! No walls means they don’t trap in the smell like outhouses do. Privacy? No problem. We’ve got a bunch of clever campsite etiquette tricks to make sure you won’t be disturbed by anyone else in the group. Every few miles along the river there are also boat landings that have concrete outhouses.

Is there any portaging?

Nope! That’s one of the perks of paddling on a river. We’ll drop you off at the beginning of the river. You’ll paddle downstream every day, and then we’ll pick you up at the end of the river. No portaging also means we can pack plenty of FOOD! No hunger pangs on these trips.

Is there time for swimming?

Usually there is ample time to swim on this trip. Campsites are located every mile or so along the river, which means each group has a lot of flexibility in terms of how far they want to paddle each day and how much free time they want to have. If swimming is a priority for you, please let your guides know so they can make it happen!

ready for an adventure?

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