Come Paddle with Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers!
Public Paddle Planning
For a newcomer to kayaking, wouldn’t it be great to take day trips with people who know the route, help you unload and load your boat, help you launch and land, and include certified kayak instructors in case something goes wrong? That describes NEWP’s Publc Paddles.
NEWP’s public paddle events have roots in the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Special Places Program that offered paddles to the general public from 2000-08. Starting in 2009, NEWP partnered with the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway to host a series of paddles along the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and their tributaries. Currently, NEWP hosts paddle events throughout northeast Wisconsin to provide a variety of paddling experiences and venues, especially for newcomers to the sport.
Many individuals have voluntarily provided their time and talent to plan and host these events. The current core planning committee is David Horst, Michael Jordan, Scott Thomson and Jeff Mazanec. Several other individuals provide essential input to event planning and support of the actual public paddle events. Contact any of the above with questions or if you are interested in lending your expertise and support.
(Special thanks to Tom Young for his strong contributions to this program from 2010 through 2023.)
Join us for any or all of our public paddles. You don’t have to be a club member, but you might discover that you want to be. Most events cost $15 for adults, free for kids under 16 with an adult. Only $10 for NEWP club members. You can just show up at the put-in with $15 in your hand, but we would like to know to expect you. And while you’re at it, be sure to show up with your PFD (life jacket) – it’s an absolute requirement for enjoying our sport!
Here is a list of our upcoming paddle events.
2025 Public Paddle Schedule
Our 2025 public paddle events combine new favorites with a couple old goodies! Plan now to return for the Peshtigo Flowage Weekend and the Appleton Locks Paddle and check out a return to the Upper Fox River and our return to Two Rivers to support their 2nd annual Twin Rivers Paddle Palooza.
June 20-22, Peshtigo Flowage Weekend: This will be our 11th annual weekend tour of the Caldron Falls and High Falls reservoirs. Friday night fish fry and camping at Governor Thompson State Park are a base part of this great paddle weekend. If conditions are appropriate, we’ll enjoy a shared meal at the Woods Lake shelter on Saturday evening. Both days’ paddle routes will be out-and-back – no shuttles required.
August __, Upper Fox River Paddle: (TENTATIVE) We’re working on possible collaboration with a boat club for an event on the Upper Fox – more to come.
September 13, Twin Rivers Paddle Palooza: Join us as we support this public paddle event hosted by the City of Two Rivers as part of an extended paddle activity weekend. We will launch from Veterans Park on the West Twin River and head downtown, then up the East Twin River to view wildlife and the first touch of autumn before returning to the launch location.
September 27, Appleton Locks Paddle: We are returning to our favorite Appleton Locks route and weekend, BUT with a back-up option to reroute to the Heart-of-the-Valley locks we enjoyed in 2024 if conditions aren’t favorable between Appleton and Kimberly. Drop your boat and gear at Lutz Park, drive your vehicle to Sunset Park and take the shuttle back to the launch at Lutz. When the paddle is over, your vehicle will be there waiting.
September 27, Heart of the Valley Paddle: (BACKUP PLAN) If strong and dangerous currents make the Fox River’s Appleton Locks paddle route too threatening for a large group paddle, we will again shift our Locks Paddle to the Heart of the Valley. This route also takes us through four locks, including the two that form the combined lock. We also will pass under the new recreation bridge connecting Little Chute and Kaukauna trails.
Suggest a route or venue for future public paddle events!
DID YOU HAVE TO MISS A PADDLE? Even if you can’t Paddle With NEWP, check out our “Where to Paddle” page..