Enhance your time away with Paddlefish Adventures, offering activities such as paddling, fishing, river snorkeling, swimming, hiking, biking, art-making, ecology and history tours, and camping along our beautiful riverway.

Four canoes on the rocky shore of a lake with trees and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

CANOE OR KAYAK RENTAL

TUESDAY - THURSDAY

8:00 am | 10:00 am | 12:00 pm | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm

FRIDAY - SUNDAY

Every hour, on the hour, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm

TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

8:00 am

THURSDAY

10:00 am | 12:00 pm | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm

All of our self-guided adventures allow you to enjoy a full day on the water at your own pace. Choose to rent a canoe or a kayak, or feel free to bring your own.

Whether you're dreaming of gliding under the stars on our moonlight paddles, roasting s'mores on a cozy beach campout, or unleashing your creativity with guided art adventures, there's something for everyone to dive into! Don't just wade through life—join the fun and paddle to unforgettable experiences today!

GUIDED SPECIALTY PADDLES

Plant Paddles

Intro to Botanical Illustration and Plant Identification

  • Sun., May 24th from 10:00am to 3:00pm

    Sat., Jun. 27th from 10:00am to 3:00pm

    Sat., Aug. 22nd from 10:00am to 3:00pm

    • Experience lotus flowers on Lotus Lake in Osceola, WI

  • This includes two-way shuttle service, craft rental, paddle, life jacket, premium educator and river guide.

  • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    Educator: Alex Petersen

St. Croix Paddle Out

traditional community grief paddles

  • Sun., July 26th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

    Sun., Sep 20th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm

  • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    BPF: Tori Nonnemacher

Layers of St. Croix History

A special series led by Greg Seitz from St. Croix 360

  • This series will sell fast. If the trip you wish to book is sold out email Greg Seitz at greg@stcroix360.com to be added to a wait list.

  • Each adventure lasts about 5 hours, offering ample time to explore and enjoy the river's wonders. Your experience will be shaped by the day's weather and your group's unique skills.

    • June 13: Writing the River

    • July 16: Human Geography

    • August 8: Reading the Rocks

    • Sept 12: Ecology and Eternity

    All trips within this series are from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm

  • This includes two-way shuttle service, craft rental, paddle, life jacket, premium educator and river guide.

  • Guide: David Aichinger

    Educator: Greg Seitz

Paint & Paddles

Art Adventures on the River with local artist educators

  • Sun., June 28th from 10am to 3pm

    • Folk Painting with Watercolor w/ Carrie Katzenmeyer

    Sat., July 25th from 10am to 3pm

    Sun., Aug. 23rd from 10 am to 3pm

    • Paint and Stitch w/ Heather Nuber

    Sun., Sept. 13th from 10 am to 3pm

  • This includes two-way shuttle service, craft rental, paddle, life jacket, premium educator and river guide.

    Discounts for groups of 10 or more people. Call Paddlefish Adventures to book.

  • June 28th

    • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    • Instructor: Carrie Katzenmeyer

    July 25th

    • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    • Instructor: TBD

    Aug. 23rd

    • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    • Instructor: TBD

    Sept. 13th

    • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    • Instructor: TBD

Moonlight Paddles

Paddle in sparkling moonlight or in the absolute darkness of the new moon

  • Spots are limited and booking fast!

  • Fri., May 1st from 7:45pm to 11pm

    • Full Moon

    Sun., May 31st from 8:30pm to 11pm

    • Full Moon

    Tue., June 16th from 8:30pm to 11pm

    • New Moon

    Mon., June 29th from 8:30pm to 11pm

    • Full Moon

    Tue., July 14th from 8:30pm to 11pm

    • New Moon

    Wed., July 29th from 8:00pm to 11pm

    • Full Moon

    Thur., Aug 13th from 8:00pm to 11pm

    • New Moon

    Fri., Aug 28th from 8:00pm to 11pm

    • Special Event: Moonlight Paddle & Poetry w/ Treehaus Studio

    Sep. 10th from 7:00pm to 11pm

    • New Moon

    Sep. 26th from 6:30pm to 11pm

    • Full Moon

  • This includes two-way shuttle service, craft rental, paddle, life jacket and guide.

  • Guide: David Aichinger

River Ecology Paddles

explore the river and learn about its habitat and inhabitants

  • Nesting Birds:

    • Friday, May 22nd from 6:00pm to 8:30pm

  • This includes two-way shuttle service, craft rental, paddle, life jacket, instructor and guide.

  • Guide: David Aichinger

River Singers

community singing on the river for women

  • Tickets will be reservable starting in April 2026!

  • TBD

  • This includes two-way shuttle service, craft rental, paddle, life jacket, special guest and guide.

  • Guide: Jessica Turtle

    Special Guest: TBD

SELF-GUIDED PADDLE ADVENTURES

Apple River Rapids Paddle

  • This trip is an excellent introduction to rapid paddling, and we recommend it to those who enjoy active paddling as they maneuver around obstacles and ride through quick water sections. The rapids range from Class 0.5 to Class 1, depending on the water level. 

  • Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday

    • 8:00 am

  • This includes two-way shuttle service and rental.

Lake O’ The Dalles Paddle

  • Lake O' the Dalles is a 25-acre lake with a maximum depth of 12 feet, and it's located in WI Interstate Park. The lake has a public beach with bathroom facilities, a hiking trail, picnic tables, and fishing piers. The lake has Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walleye.

  • Thursday

    • 10:00 am

    • 12:00 pm

    • 2:00 pm

    • 4:00 pm

  • This includes two-way shuttle service and rental.

Date Night for Two Paddle

  • Need the perfect Date Night? Let us help you. 

    Enjoy a delicious picnic provided by The Watershed Cafe, a local restaurant featuring fresh, sustainable, and simply good food. We will provide a blanket and a cooler backpack filled with red or white wine, an exceptional charcuterie board, and a decadent dessert for two.

  • Thursday & Friday

    • 6:00 pm

  • The price includes two-way shuttle service, boat rental, blanket, and the meal service by Watershed Cafe.

'“I go among trees and sit still. All my stirring becomes quiet around me like circles on water.” — Wendall Berry

DID YOU KNOW WE PROVIDE TRAIL SUPPORT?

Paddlefish Adventures is conveniently located just a few blocks south of the Trail’s western terminus at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls. The Ice Age Trail stretches east through 30 counties, ending at the eastern terminus in Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay. This trail is entirely within Wisconsin and is one of only eleven National Scenic Trails. We offer trail support services for the entire route.

No park pass required.

Our headquarters are at the starting point of the Gandy Dancer State Trail in St. Croix Falls. This trail connects St. Croix Falls to several communities, including Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Frederic, Lewis, Siren, Webster, and Danbury. Located on a former railroad corridor, the trail is generally flat and wheelchair accessible. It features 47 miles of hard-packed crushed limestone, making it ideal for non-motorized activities. People enjoy hiking, running, geocaching, setting personal goals, and training for events on this scenic trail. We offer trail support services for the entire route.

A trail permit is required and can be purchased at the Polk County Information Center, conveniently located across the street from the Visitor Service building for Paddlefish Adventures.

WE WORK WITH THE BEST PARTNERS

For information on how to become an official partner on exciting adventures, contact us.