2026 Wisconsin Paddling Events Calendar
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get out on the water, this is it.
From whitewater releases in Wausau to multi-day trips along Lake Superior and laid-back weekly paddles closer to home, Wisconsin’s 2026 paddling calendar is packed with opportunities for every skill level. Whether you’re a first-timer looking for a guided outing or a seasoned paddler chasing your next big adventure, there’s something here worth circling on your calendar.
We’ve pulled together the most notable events across the state (and just beyond), organized by month so you can easily plan your summer on the water.
May
May 31 — NEWP Coastal Student Outing
Where: Manitowoc, WI
Host: Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers
A student-friendly coastal paddling outing on Lake Michigan.
More info: newp.club/classes/student-outings/
June
June 1–5 — Whitewater Week
Where: Gardner Dam Adventure Base
Host: Bay Lakes Council
Whitewater instructor training.
June 6 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. Lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
June 7–10 — Rock Island Campout
Where: Rock Island State Park, Lake Michigan
Host: NEWP
Club kayak campout.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/rock-island-kayak-campout/
June 13 — NEWP Whitewater Student Outing
Where: Gresham, WI — Red River
Student outing for NEWP members and students.
More info: newp.club/classes/student-outings/
June 20–22 — Peshtigo Paddle Weekend
Where: Crivitz, WI — Governor Thompson State Park
Host: NEWP
Public paddle event.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/public-paddles/peshtigo-flowage-weekend/
June 20–21 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. Lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
June 24–29 — ACA American Whitewater Open Canoe Slalom
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Competition event.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
June 25–28 — Freshwater Paddlers Sea Kayak Symposium
Where: Cornucopia, WI — Lake Superior
Host: Freshwater Paddler
Sea kayak symposium.
More info: freshwaterpaddler.com
June 27–28 — Wolf River Paddle
Where: Stephenson, WI — Wolf River
Host: NEWP
Public paddle event.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/public-paddles/wolf-river/
July
July 9–12 — Door County Kayak Gathering
Where: Potawatomi State Park, Green Bay
Host: DCKG
Sea kayak skills development.
More info: doorcountykayakgathering.com
July 11–12 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. Lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
July 15–16 — Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium
Where: Grand Marais, MI — Lake Superior
Host: The Power of Water
Sea kayak symposium.
More info: greatlakesseakayaksymposium.net
July 17–20 — Pictured Rocks Trip
Where: Munising, MI — Lake Superior
Host: NEWP
Club trip.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/pictured-rocks/
July 18–19 — Team River Runner Veterans Recreation & Training
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Training event.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
July 22–26 — Bayfield Gathering 2026
Where: Bayfield, WI — Lake Superior
Host: NEWP
Club gathering.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/bayfield-gathering/
August
August 1 — Appleton Locks Paddle
Where: Appleton, WI — Fox River
Host: NEWP
Public paddle event.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/public-paddles/appleton-locks-paddle/
August 1–2 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. Lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
August 8–9 — Youth Development Weekend & Swiftwater Rescue
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Training event.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
August 13–16 — Tour de Kayak: Green Bay Shoreline
Where: Wells State Park, MI — Green Bay
Host: NEWP
Club gathering.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/west-green-bay-trip/
August 13–14 — Jackson Freestyle & Downriver Clinic
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Training event.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
August 14–16 — Ladies of the Lake Paddle Sports Festival
Where: Munising, MI — Lake Superior
Host: Chicago Adventure Therapy
Sea kayak symposium.
More info: Ladies of the Lake 2026
August 15–16 — Midwest Freestyle Championships
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Competition event.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
August 20–23 — Apostle Islands Trip
Where: Bayfield, WI — Lake Superior
Host: NEWP
Club trip.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/apostle-islands-trip/
August 28–30 — Camp Rutabaga
Where: Boulder Junction, WI
Host: Rutabaga Paddlesports
Paddling skills development.
More info: rutabaga.com/camprutabaga
August 29–30 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. Lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
September & October
September 9–13 — Door County Gathering
Where: Potawatomi State Park, Green Bay
Host: NEWP
Club gathering.
More info: newp.club/club-activity/door-county-gathering-at-potawatomi-state-park/
September 12–13 — Twin Rivers Paddle Palooza
Where: Two Rivers, WI
Host: City of Two Rivers
Public paddle event.
More info: newp.club/club-activities/public-paddles/two-rivers-paddle/
September 19–20 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. No lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
October 3–4 — Recreational Release
Where: Wausau Whitewater Park
Host: Wausau Whitewater
Recreational paddling release. No lessons available.
More info: wausauwhitewater.org/schedule
Recurring Paddling Opportunities
Wednesdays — Lake Michigan Weekly Paddles
Host: NEWP
Informal lake paddle outings at various locations.
Thursdays — Red River Weekly Paddles
Host: NEWP
Whitewater paddle outings at Lower Red River Park.
Tuesdays — FLOW Tuesday Weekly Paddles
Host: FLOW
Inland water paddles around the Fox Valley area.
Paddle Instruction Opportunities
Rutabaga Outdoor Program
Host: Rutabaga Paddlesports
Broad range of canoe and kayak instructional classes.
More info: rutabaga.com/roppage
This guide pulls together the best local, regional, and online options for nature-loving young photographers, with what we know about ages, costs, formats, and how to register.