Whether you're interested in an all-day canoe trip or just want a few hours out on the water, the Wisconsin River is the place to be.

That all-day trip starts in Merrill and ends in Wausau. All along, the waters move slowly, shallow in some places, very deep in others. Only a few minor rapids lay along the way and those can be portaged if necessary. The trip is about 20.5 miles. Select one of several alternate starting points. A rule of thumb to determine travel time is to figure two miles per hour on the river.

Riverside Park landing in Merrill

Brokaw landing

Pine River landing

Schofield Park landing

Trapp River landing

Gilbert Park landing

Granite Heights landing

The scenic Wisconsin River and Lake Wausau are part of a major canoe route, and the city of Wausau has one of only two urban whitewater race courses in the country. The Weyerhaeuser canoe portage around the Rothschild project allows canoeists to continue down the river to enjoy some of Central Wisconsin's finest canoeing.

Based out of Whitewater Park in Downtown Wausau, Wausau Kayak/Canoe Corporation has one of the top whitewater programs in the United States. This course is carve out of the Wisconsin River and has dam-controlled water flow. Catch one of the national competitions or watch kayakers navigate the rapids during open-water days. Learn how to kayak at a Paddling Camp or move indoors to try a pool session. For more information visit www.dwave.net/~wkcc or view our on-line Calendar of Events.